Three Instances for the Need for Objectivity

Gambling

It started with an innocuous question to the sports centre assistant: what are you doing?  He proceeded to explain he’s making a cumulative bet on both teams to score in football.  Upon further questioning, he told me he used football stats to inform his decision (http://www.soccerstats.com/) and that he’s won £4,500 this year alone.  Whether he was in reality up in the money, the short answer was he did not know.  Whilst using statistics and probability in betting is nothing new (e.g. card counting), how does he know his system works if he doesn’t track his wins/ losses?

Poker

My cousin often states “I never win with pocket aces.”  In Texas hold’em, a player with two aces is overwhelming favourite to win a hand.  Thus the previous statement is what I would call ridiculous.  You can’t keep cheating probability!

Coaching

When discussing volleyball strategy, one player proclaimed, “I have the best attack!  The video might say different but…”  I understand people won’t know that a coach’s recall of match events are both unreliable and inaccurate.  However, to dismiss the objective evidence of the video is just madness!  The video doesn’t lie!

How This Relates to Performance Analysis

Performance analysis is about being objective in analysing sporting performance.  Without it, one can’t move forward because one can’t ascertain what actually works.  Luckily, it suits my personality (organised, logical, practical).

As Ricky Gervias once said, “You can have your own opinions.  But you can’t have your own facts.”