Abstract
This paper details a route classification method for American football using a template matching scheme that is quick and does not require manual labeling. Pre-defined routes from a standard receiver route tree are aligned closely with game routes in order to determine the closest match. Based on a test game with manually labeled routes, the method achieves moderate success with an overall accuracy of 72% of the 232 routes labeled correctly.
Appendix
Examples of game routes that were labeled the same in the Denver Broncos versus Los Angeles Chargers game during the 2017 season. The magenta line represents the median route of the group showing this method is able to partition essential qualities of common routes.
References
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