Adam White is a graduate student at Bowling Green State University. Here is his idea:
I call the statistic “gifts.” Like any worthy measure, gifts are simple to understand and to calculate, yet aspire to novel explanatory force.
Gifts are the difference between a team’s total points scored and the points they scored on kills. This reflects the number of non-kill or “unearned” points handed to them by the other team.
For example, say [Texas Tech] beats BGSU 25-21, but the Falcons outhit the Red Raiders 15-14. This entails that BGSU gave TTU 11 gifts (25-14), while TTU gave BGSU only 6 gifts (21-15).
The point is that, in this case at least, the gifts explain the TTU victory better than do the kills. (This is an exception, but not a rarity.)
“Gifts per set” is probably the best way to track and analyze the measure. Teams would have both a “gifts received” and a “gifts given” figure.
Arguably "gifts given" measures the consistency and effectiveness of a team’s all-around ball handling. A team with a high "gift received" average is likely capable of longer rallies.
These assumptions have been supported by my modest research, as the BGSU varsity team has better gift statistics than does the group of very mediocre sandlot players I measured.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
-
Two years ago, I created a very simple prediction equation for the NCAA women's tournament. Each team gets its own value on the predicti...
-
I was invited once again this year to vote for the Off the Block men's collegiate volleyball awards . The number of awards has increased... -
With this year's NCAA women's Final Four getting underway Thursday night in Seattle, today's posting offers some statistical obs...
2 comments:
I've done something like this in the past where you track earned points and error points. It can be quite depressing when you look down and see that as many or more points are scored as the result of errors as by the good plays. Obviously, the level of play is a major factor in that ratio.
I think this is a very interesting statistic to consider. As a youth volleyball coach, I can see this being used as an effective progress evaluation for younger teams.
Aces are another factor that could be considered in this equation. These would not necessarily have anything to do with ball handling skills, but rather look at the service strength of a team. I would suggest for a more accurate look at a team's ball handling skills you would subtract aces from the teams total score.
I like this idea very much and intend to use it at my next opportunity.
Post a Comment