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I made a video the other day about 3 of my tips for getting started in sports analytics so I thought I’d share them here as well 
1. Coding
You should learn to code.
Pick python or R (really just pick python) and start learning the fundamentals of them.
This will put you way ahead of the pack.
You should learn to code.
Pick python or R (really just pick python) and start learning the fundamentals of them.
This will put you way ahead of the pack.
If you are only interested in visualizations you might think you can just use Tableau, but being able to combine Tableau and a coding language is an incredible skill set to have.
Another reason is that you’ll be better suited to take on a job with more data science responsibilities.
Knowing how to code will open up plenty of opportunities for you.
Knowing how to code will open up plenty of opportunities for you.
2. Learn Tactics and Fundamentals of the Sport
This is crucial because communication is a bit part of data science / analytics.
You are going to have to communicate your findings and analysis to people who may not know what certain metrics mean or represent.
This is crucial because communication is a bit part of data science / analytics.
You are going to have to communicate your findings and analysis to people who may not know what certain metrics mean or represent.
On the flip side, if you don’t understand the tactics of the sport, the manager of the team might say something about a certain player playing a certain role but you don’t understand it.
Then you can’t deliver the right analysis.
Then you can’t deliver the right analysis.
As well, the more of the game and sport you understand, the better your analysis will be.
A good way to practice this and test your knowledge and analysis is through “data journalism”.
Write some long and short form articles and try to make them easy to understand with interesting insights and ideas.
Write some long and short form articles and try to make them easy to understand with interesting insights and ideas.
3. Promote your work!
This is the one that will set you apart from everyone else.
Posting your work and ideas on Twitter, blogs, YouTube, newsletters, etc. will get you in front of the eyes of people who are working at these clubs and organizations.
This is the one that will set you apart from everyone else.
Posting your work and ideas on Twitter, blogs, YouTube, newsletters, etc. will get you in front of the eyes of people who are working at these clubs and organizations.
I personally love Twitter for this reason.
You can interact with people from top clubs and teams that would be impossible to reach otherwise.
And the more you publish your work, the more eyes will see it, and the more opportunities you’ll have.
You can interact with people from top clubs and teams that would be impossible to reach otherwise.
And the more you publish your work, the more eyes will see it, and the more opportunities you’ll have.
So in short, publish what you make.
It doesn’t have to be amazing.
My first one was terrible.
But be consistent, patient and focus long term on your goals.
It doesn’t have to be amazing.
My first one was terrible.
But be consistent, patient and focus long term on your goals.
But those are my three tips!
You can watch the video here if you want the longer run down:
You can watch the video here if you want the longer run down:
