Virginia consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton is using its analytical, problem-solving approach to break into a new industry: professional sports.
After collecting and compiling data for several seasons, the firm is making its debut into the sports analytics industry; revealing its predictive football play-calling prototype as a sponsor of the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference this weekend. The service is being developed as an application for the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet; the same ones found on the sidelines on game-day.
The app updates in real-time, taking in considerations such as time on the clock, field location, score, weather, if the team is home or away, as well as other variables to predict what play the other team will run.
For example, if a team has a tendency to attack the flats on third-and-short with a 4-point lead late in the fourth quarter, the app will advise a coach to run a cover 2.
Principle Lead of Sports Analytics, Ray Hensberger, said in an interview with SportTechie that they were excited to see how their prototype was received by coaching staffs. Hensberger sees the app as a valuable “tool in the toolbox” for coaches.
“A ton of data is around, and it’s just a matter of taking advantage of that and applying what you know,” Hensberger said.
While their interpolated data is valuable, Hensberger does not see the app automating the role of play-caller equivalent of the “Ask Madden” button, saying that its design is to, “inform decisions and not replace them.”
The application is being developed with the help of Microsoft’s Azure platform; a flexible, cloud-based computer network. Booz Allen Hamilton had worked with Microsoft in the past, and knew their partnership could help.
“We came up with the play prediction idea, and thought how we would present that. Microsoft has a great relationship with the NFL, and we talked to them and they were on board,” Hensberger said.
In 2014, Booz Allen Hamilton used data from MLB ballpark cameras to create a pitch prediction algorithm, based on in-game factors as well as things such as weather, with great success; and also helped the MLB in the setup and design of their replay operations headquarters. The firm looks forward to making connections with various teams and leagues; and is already in talks with several coaches about its usability and functionality.