28 September 2009
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| Dr Burkard Polster |
Monash University mathematician Dr Burkard Polster and his colleague Dr Marty Ross, have applied their mathematical insights to the game of Rugby League, in an attempt to improve players' kicking for conversions.
In rugby league a try is scored when a player grounds the ball in his opponent's in-goal area. After scoring a try, a player will then attempt a two point conversion, by kicking from a spot on the field in line with where the try was scored.
"Building on previous investigations, our aim was to come up with a mathematical model, telling us the best spot on this line from which to kick. Choosing the optimal conversion spot becomes more important when the try has been scored close to the sideline, and the conversion is more difficult", Drs Polster and Ross said.
"Our research suggests that players may generally be placing the ball too close to the goal line. For example, when shooting from the sideline most players seem to favor placing the ball around 25 meters away from the goal line. Our model suggests that strong kickers should be kicking from further away, at 30 meters or beyond. A slight adjustment to this distance may result in a small but significant improvement in the players' kicking accuracy."
"In general, kickers should in theory be able to improve their chances by lowering the initial kicking angle of the ball, and by kicking as hard as is comfortable. They can then adjust their kicking spot depending on these two parameters."
"This sounds complicated. But in practice, it should not be difficult to optimize the kicking distances for each player, based on their strength and kicking style," they said.
Drs Polster and Ross caution their mathematical model was only a first step towards solving the problem of optimal kicking distances, and genuinely applicable results could only be expected in close cooperation with individual players and biomechanists.
"Perhaps the practicalities of our equations are best left to those more qualified on the field.
Our mathematical formulas are correct, so it's probably worth a kick or two. Who knows, it may just mean the winning formula for this year's premiers!"
For more information, a copy of the paper or to arrange an interview with Dr Polster or Dr Ross contact Samantha Blair, Media and Communications + 61 3 9903 4841 or 0439 013 951.
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