Sports strategy

With the development of various technological tools for aiding in sports analytics, a considerable amount of popular sports have adopted the widespread use of analytical models to aid in forming and developing strategic models and tools for reflection over the strategic parts of the game.

Association football has long been known for using possession stats to track the time (as presented in percentages) each team is in control of the ball, and has in the 21st century integrated expected goals models into its statistical portfolio.

American football uses several play calling systems in order to arrange for strategies to be carried out on the field in real-time.

The blitz is a play where defenses send extra players to rush the line of scrimmage in order to try to get to the quarterback in quick fashion, giving the offense less time to make a run or pass.

When field goals or punts are performed, a number of specific strategies are in use so as to secure the successful attempt.

[13] Upon having scored a touchdown, a team may opt for a two-point conversion over the close range field goal which grants only one extra point.

[16][17] Although the exact number of players dressed for an ice hockey game varies from competition to competition and between tournaments, an ice hockey lineup is typically presented as 2 goaltenders and 18 skaters, plus one or more additional skaters as allowed by the rules in effect.

Such a team may conversely have to engage in backchecking, as a means of transitioning back to defense in the neutral zone should the forecheck not result in a regaining of the puck.

More defensively conservative teams may favour a trapping style of play where the need for forechecking and backchecking is not as prevalent.