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ZEEB ROAD, ANN ARBOR, Ml 48106 18 BEDFORD ROW, LONDON WC1 R 4EJ, ENGLAND 8107310 C o v a u lt , Sa m u e l G r e g COMPUTER ORDERED CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS OF INTERCOLLEGIATE FOOTBALL STRATEGIES The Ohio State University PH.D. 1980 University Microfilms International300 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 Copyright 1980 by Covault, Samuel Greg All Rights Reserved PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed in the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this document have been identified here with a check mark . 1. Glossy photographs ________ 2. Colored illustrations ________ 3. Photographs with dark background_________ 4. Illustrations are poor copy ________ 5. °rint shows through as there is text on both sides of page_______ 6. Indistinct, broken or small print on several pages 7. Tightly bound copy with print lost in spine________ 8. Computer printout pages with indistinct print________ 9. Page(s) _____ lacking when material received, and not available from school or author 10. Page(s) ________seem to be missing in numbering only as text follows 11. Poor carbon copy ________ 12. Not original copy, several pageswith blurred type ___________ 13. Appendix pages are poor copy________ 14. Original copy with light type ________ 15. Curling and wrinkled pages________ 16. Other _____________________ _______________________________________ Iniversity Microfilms iter national )0 N / E F B RD., ANN A R B O R . Ml 4B100 IH1BI 761 4706 COMPUTER ORDERED CONCEPTUAL ANALYSIS OF INTERCOLLEGIATE FOOTBALL STRATEGIES DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Samuel G. Covault, B.S.Ed., M.Ed. * * * * * The Ohio State University 1980 Reading Committee: Approved By Dr. Edward Coates Dr. Margaret J. Hines Dr. Donald K. Mathews The research documented within these pages, and the effort it has demanded, is dedicated to my wife Linda and our soon to be born first child. It is through responsibility and love for this family that I have found the strength and determination'to guide this project to a success­ ful conclusion. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The analytic system presented in this research is a product of years of experimentation, evaluation and consultation. Over these years many individuals have had significant influence on both the system and its author. The computer-ordered conceptual analysis model has evolved from manually prepared reports, executed while serving as the offensive back- field coach on Bill Hess's Ohio University football staff. The initial guidance and fine example provided by Coach Hess and the Ohio University staff is the impetus which led to development of the system presented in this treatise. I am indebted to the late Coach Hess for his faith in a young and unproven coach and for his strong example. He was a truly fine teacher and most importantly the finest of men. As tremendous encouragement and invaluable advice played signifi­ cant roles in the early development of this system, the culmination of this research could not have been achieved without the assistance and support of The Ohio State University intercollegiate football coaching staff. Input, suggestions and criticisms by this group of outstanding coaches has been a major force in shaping the system detailed in this treatise. Resources and expertise generously provided by coaches Earle Bruce, Dennis Fryzel, Glen Mason, Bill Myles, Nick Saban, Steve Szabo, Wayne Stanley, Bob Tucker and Fred Zechman have aided both in the iii development and the Implementation of the computer-ordered analysis now in operation at The Ohio State University. In addition, the encouragement and counsel of my adviser and teacher Dr. Donald K. Mathews, and graduate committee members, Dr. Edward Coates and Dr. Margaret J. Hines, has had significant impact on this final document. Acknowledgement of those individuals who have played a major role in the development of this research would not be complete without the expression of a special debt to my family. To my mother, Beverly Shoesmith Covault, who's support and encouragement have been a strength and source of inspiration throughout my life, and who's efforts in typing the dissertation draft are a major contribution to the work within these pages, I express my heartfelt thanks, admiration and love. An equal debt is owed my father, Boyd G. Covault, who has taught me, through the example of his own strength, to seek and master challenges and responsi­ bility. I respect and love him not only as a father, but as a man of integrity. Finally and most importantly, the acknowledgement which cannot be fully expressed in the written word. To my wife Linda, who's sacrifice, hard work, dedication, humor and love have enabled me to complete this research. The achievement of this goal is shared, for without her efforts it would not have been accomplished. iv VITA February 2, 1952 ............. Born - Guthrie Center, Iowa 1975 .......................... B.S.Ed., Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 1975-1976...................... Graduate Teaching Assistant, Graduate Assistant Football Coach, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 1976 .......................... M.Ed., Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 1977-1979...................... Instructor, Health and Physical Education, Assistant Football Coach, Head Tennis Coach, Otterbein College, Westerville, Ohio 1979-1980...................... Graduate Teaching Associate, School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Graduate Assistant Foot­ ball Coach, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio PUBLICATIONS "One of Wrestling's Finest, Karl Kitt." The Young Wrestler, September 1975, pp. 14-16. The Ohio University Athletic Department Policies and Procedures Manual, 1976. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Physical Education Area of Specialization: Sports and Athletic Administration v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page DEDICATION .......... , . , ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS................. ill VITA ............................................................. v LIST OF TABLES .................................................. viii LIST OF FIGURES.................................................. xi Chapter I. INTRODUCTION............................................. 1 Hypothesis.............................................. 1 Statement of the Problem............................... 2 Fundamental Aspects of Research ...................... 2 II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE............................ 4 History of Computer Analysis in Football.............. 4 Application of Computer Analysis to Football......... 7 Advantages in Utilization of Computer Analysis in Football ......................................... 8 Limitations in Utilization of Computer Analysis in Football .......................................... 9 Impact of Related Research on Development of the Analytic System ..................................... 10 S u m m a r y ................................................ 12 III. METHODS AND PROCEDURES.................................. 14 Conceptual Analysis ................................... 14 Determination of Essential D a t a ...................... 15 Terminology ............................................ 18 Data Source ................................... 18 System Methodology..................................... 20 Technical Programming Procurement ........... .... 51 Computer Program ..................................... 53 vi Page IV. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. ....... 54 Summary ............. ........... ... 54 Conclusion. .................... 55 Recommendations.......... 56 V. DISCUSSION