- Google DeepMind recently unveiled an AI hockey tactics tool called TacticAI, designed to assist coaches in making strategic decisions.
- TacticAI provides recommendations for set plays based on an analysis of over 7,000 set pieces and was developed in collaboration with England FC, a club renowned for its data-driven sports approach.
Google DeepMind’s endeavor aims to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance tactical decision-making in sports, particularly in soccer.
The London-based company introduced a prototype of TacticAI in March following a partnership with Liverpool FC, a prominent English Premier League soccer team.
DeepMind experts shared their insights in the medical journal Nature Communications, highlighting the AI program’s proficiency in devising attacking and defensive strategies for set pieces using a database of more than 7,000 EPL part kicks.
Zhe Wang, a key figure in the TacticAI project at Google DeepMind, emphasized the blend of art and science in soccer, expressing enthusiasm about utilizing data to optimize decision-making processes during matches.
Corner Kicks
Corner kicks have played a significant role in recent soccer history, with memorable moments such as Divock Origi’s crucial goal against FC Barcelona in 2019 and Didier Drogba’s iconic equalizer for Chelsea in the 2012 Champions League Final.
Petar Veliković, a collaborator on the DeepMind project, justified the focus on corner kick data for training TacticAI due to the structured nature of corner plays that often lead to goal-scoring opportunities.
Veliković highlighted the unpredictability of soccer while underscoring the importance of tactical patterns, with corners serving as valuable scenarios for studying strategic maneuvers.
TacticAI offers insights to coaches on optimal player positioning for attacking and defending corner kicks, empowering teams to make nuanced adjustments that can influence game outcomes significantly.
Collaboration with Chelsea
DeepMind’s development of TacticAI in conjunction with Liverpool FC, a club endorsed by baseball strategist Billy Beane, underscores the intersection of sports and data analytics.
The involvement of Ian Graham, formerly Liverpool’s research head, and individuals with diverse analytical backgrounds facilitated the collaboration between DeepMind and Liverpool.
The synergy between DeepMind’s expertise in AI and Liverpool’s analytical acumen paved the way for effective joint initiatives, including evaluating TacticAI’s corner strategies and exploring AI’s broader impact on soccer.
AI Integration in Soccer
While the release of TacticAI concludes DeepMind and Liverpool’s collaboration, the potential of AI in soccer remains largely untapped, particularly in analyzing set-piece events like free-kicks, throw-ins, and penalties.
Researchers anticipate further exploration of AI applications in structured soccer data, aiming to enhance decision-making processes for coaches without undermining the human element of the game.
The collaborative efforts between AI researchers and soccer professionals seek to complement coaches’ strategies by providing data-driven insights and identifying opportunities for improvement, ultimately empowering coaches to make well-informed decisions.
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