Using AI to improve tactics in handball

DW (English)

With handball, AI helps to analyze plays more precisely, recognize patterns more easily and optimize training. Coaches hope it will give them strategic advantages; while team physios hope for a reduced risk of injury.

Transcript

00:01One of Germany's biggest handball clubs is S.G. Flensburg-Handewitt from northern Germany.

00:07Here, coaches use AI for data analysis, giving them a definitive edge.

00:14Michael Döring is in charge of athletics and performance training.

00:19He knows the game and sees huge potential in AI.

00:21What happens on the field can be organized into patterns that we humans are unable to recognize.

00:31It provides very different insights than in past years and sparks ideas about how to train differently and play differently.

00:39A team led by sports scientist Jochen Baumeister at the University of Paderborn developed a special tool for the club.

00:46It evaluates plays, identifies what works and what doesn't.

00:51The system allows us to quantify whether and to what extent certain measures were successful.

00:59We can potentially also identify the players who don't score, but contribute significantly to the goal.

01:07From court to database, players from the Handball Bundesliga are equipped with small tools.

01:12sensors on their backs, recording their movement, speed and positions.

01:19The AI then calculates goal probabilities based on previous passes.

01:26In this example, TSG loses the ball and the opponent gains possession.

01:30The probability is currently 11% for a goal within the next three seconds.

01:41Now the player passes the ball across the court and we see it jumps here to 84%.

01:47A very high probability.

01:53This shows us how these chances are created.

01:56But does too much tech take away from the excitement of the game?

02:06Michael Döring disagrees.

02:12The game might evolve faster, maybe a little differently, a little crazier than before.

02:19But I don't think there's any worry of interest fading.

02:22We're still dealing with humans, with complex individuals.

02:26The club has been collaborating with scientists for nine years now and data is evaluated daily.

02:32Thanks to AI, the team has a much better understanding of how to further develop their play.

02:37We'll see you next time.

02:38See you next time.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended