Metrica Sports: Revamping data extrapolation and analysis

Metrica Sports - PLAY

In 2023, every inch counts. Whether it be on the field, the gym, or the training pitch. Coaches and players alike are desperate to obtain as much information as they can on their game, in a way in which they can digest and utilise to better their performance.

Metrica Sports is revolutionising the data analysis space, with applications across a variety of sports, including American football, basketball, rugby, and football. Using the Metrica Cloud Engine, Metrica Sports PLAY unleashes the potential from automated tracking data, with data packs suited to all levels of the game, enriching presentation, and video sessions. Metrica Sports offers a free version of the software, to allow smaller teams to test this out to determine the best possible options for the success of the club.

Metrica Sports has partnered with more than 300 professional teams across 80 countries worldwide.

PLAY goes one step further than the competitors. It visualises data in more than just graphs and charts. PLAY shows live 2D fields with moving markers to outline structure in play, in reference to where the ball and opposition is. This can be beneficial to coaches to determine if there is a hole that can be exploited more so by the opposition, such as being too compact in transition allowing the opposition to nullify counter attacks.

PLAY offers 3 methods of tracking players in game, each of which have their own benefits. Manual tracking takes the longest and allows coaches to manually select what in any given frame they want to analyse. However, what they select only covers a single frame, and must go through and select what they want across different frames.

Automatic tracking takes almost 1/3 of the time, with the ability to manually opt in or out of selected targets on the field to track. Metrica uses the example of tracking a defensive line as the ball is shifted onto the sideline, as one defender is engaged, showcasing the distance between the other defenders, and their direction changes to suit.

Automated tracking is similar to automatic but is simply effortless. Everything is tracked already, the ball and all players are tracked, and you can choose what to extrapolate from the data it collects, as well as how long into a recording the software needs to extrapolate the data from.

But with so much data and analysis, will some things may be overlooked? No chance. PLAY allows for playlists of clips from a match can be generated with tags to filter out of highlights and clips exactly what a coach or analyst wants to extrapolate. For instance, PLAY can allow generate tags for all clips that include building out from the back, by determining when there is possession in the defensive third. Along with attacking clips, transition etc., the ability to phase these out and only select the building out from the back will save an abundance of time, allowing coaches to further zone in on what is really important in these clips, and develop a strategy to overcome any issues found.

PLAY has a variety of analysis options for how coaches and staff want to structure a video session with players in preparation for the next match or look back at last weeks. Coaches have the ability to upload entire match long pieces of footage, and can either manually, or as described before, have PLAY’s Metrica Cloud Engine do all the hard work for you. The options are limitless for any football club who wishes to strengthen their analytical and tactical capabilities.

PLAYs automated tracking data saves countless hours to provide a superior product to coaching staffs across the globe. Tagging clips with key phrases allows coaches to quickly find examples of focal points in the match to be analysed and investigated. The easy to navigate software is easy for both coaches to use, but to also present to other staff, board members and players, with relevant and appealing graphics as opposed to traditional stats and graphs. The automatic tracking feature can allow coaches to opt in and out of necessary analytical points to cater to what coaches explicitly want.

For more information on how Metrica Sports can benefit your coaching staff, click here

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Manchester City open new training centre for Women’s First Team

The training centre opened earlier this week, following years of planning, investment and ambition for Manchester City Women.

State-of-the-art facilities

Recently crowned WSL Champions, Manchester City Women will now be able to train, prepare and recover in a truly special, purpose-built facility.

Covering 17,000 square feet, a world-class gym, strength & conditioning facilities and dressing room, the site will help players  to maximise performances on the pitch.

But given the facilities also received input from players and staff, inspiring added touches like social spaces and recognition for players with over 100 appearances, it is clear that this is a deeply personal project for all involved at Manchester City Women.

As Managing Director of Manchester City Women, Charlotte O’Neill, highlighted, the training centre is a symbol of excellence and ambition.

“This building is about so much more than bricks and mortar,” O’Neill said via press release.

“It is about creating an environment here our players can thrive, where standards are set at the very highest level and where the current squad has everything it needs to continue to compete for and win silverware.”

A winning project, for a winning team. The training centre is sure to propel Manchester City Women to even greater heights in the seasons to come.

 

Continuing investment trends

Furthermore, as the result of an AUD 18.6 million (GBP 10 million) investment and purpose-built for Manchester City Women, it is yet another example of the current strength of WSL investment.

Just a few weeks ago, Brighton & Hove Albion unveiled plans to construct a new venue for its women’s team, delivering on a clear intention to support commercial growth and infrastructure in the women’s game.

But even after winning their first WSL title this season, the message from the board is clear: Manchester City Women are a fundamental part of the club’s long-term vision.

“This new facility marks the next logical step in our long-term commitment to Manchester City Women, and is an important milestone for the club as a whole,” said Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.

“We have always believed in investing to create the right environment for players and staff to develop and succeed. That approach has underpinned every aspect of our work since the professional relaunch of Manchester City Women in 2014.”

LALIGA and EA SPORTS FC collaborate in community pitch project

Part of the EA SPORTS FC FUTURES grassroots initiative, the newly refurbished pitch will provide New York kids with a safe, inclusive space to enjoy the game in their community.

 

From Europe to US

In the heart of the Bronx, New York, LALIGA and EA SPORTS FC unveiled the new space as the 10th collaboration between the two parties to bring pitches to future generations.

It marks an exciting development not just for community infrastructure, but for representing the global reach and connections made possible through football.

Furthermore, with support from local artist, BG183, The William Lloyd Garrison School, and soccer-inspired education and youth support program, South Bronx United, it stands as a symbol of local pride and grassroots commitment.

“This project in New York is especially meaningful because it brings together access to sport, long-term community impact and a strong local identity,” explained LALIGA’s Executive Director of Business, Jorge de la Vega.

“Together with EA SPORTS FC and our community partners, we want this pitch to become a place where young people can play, grow and find new opportunities.”

 

Using platforms for wider growth

This is a project which provides aspiring young footballers with the facilities they need to thrive in their personal and sporting development.

And although it carries an emphasis on local values, the global work and vision of EA SPORTS FC and LALIGA is undeniable.

The former now supports similar initiatives across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and right here in Australia. The Sam Kerr Pitch, unveiled in Sydney in 2023, provides young girls with free access to a high-quality space.

Thus, EA SPORTS FC is showing a unique combination in its community investment strategy: the global name of LALIGA, paired with collaboration from local organisations, ultimately establishing something even bigger.

“While EA SPORTS FC lives in the game, our ambition goes beyond it – working with partners like LALIGA and local communities to create spaces where football can be played and experienced physically,” outlined EA SPORTS FC Senior Director, Partnerships Marketing, James Salmon.

“Projects like this in the South Bronx show how football can bring people together and create lasting impact.”

 

Small space, big impact

Although this may be one small pitch in the Bronx, its signficance resonates with grassroots communities across the world who know its true value.

Hopefully, EA SPORTS FC will continue to show their commitment to next generations for many years to come.

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