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There are 4 modules in this course
This course introduces the essential mathematical, statistical, and data-handling concepts required to work effectively in football analytics. Learners will build a solid foundation by exploring measures of central tendency, variability, probability distributions, standard deviations, and confidence intervals, the core concepts that underpin all analytical reasoning in sport. Through football-specific examples, the course explains when to use different estimators, how to interpret uncertainty, and why choosing the right distribution is critical when modeling performance and match events.
Beyond statistics, learners discover the ecosystem of football data itself, including data on counts, GPS tracking, event data, and skeletal tracking, and understand how each type is collected, structured, and used in professional analysis. The course also introduces key analytical tools such as APIs, web scraping, Python, data structures, and visualization principles using Tableau, Power BI, and Matplotlib.
By the end of this course, learners will be equipped with the mathematical intuition, technical fundamentals, and data-literacy skills needed to analyze football effectively and to transition smoothly into more advanced analytical and modeling techniques.
Build a solid foundation in the mathematical concepts that are crucial for data analysis. This module breaks down various types of averages, explores common data distributions, and demystifies important measures like standard deviation and confidence intervals—empowering you to interpret data with clarity and precision.
What's included
6 videos4 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 25 minutes
Understanding Central Tendency: Beyond the Basic Mean•3 minutes
Specialized Means: Weighted, Geometric, and Harmonic Means in Sports Analytics•4 minutes
The Normal Distribution: Understanding the Bell Curve and the Central Limit Theorem•5 minutes
Beyond the Bell Curve: Exponential, Gamma, and Poisson Distributions in Football Analytics•4 minutes
Understanding Variability: Standard Deviation as Your Analytical Compass•4 minutes
Confidence Intervals: Quantifying Uncertainty in Your Analysis•4 minutes
4 readings•Total 175 minutes
Welcome reading•5 minutes
Complementary Resources on An Estimator for the Right Situation: Different kinds of means (average, median, mode, geometric, etc.).•75 minutes
Complementary Resources on Distributions: Normal, exponential, and gamma distributions•60 minutes
Complementary Resources on How to Know You Know: Standard deviations and confidence intervals•35 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Making sense of the Numbers: Basic Mathematical Concepts•30 minutes
Making sense of the Numbers: Basic Mathematical Concepts•30 minutes
What Is Out There? Different Data Types
Module 2•4 hours to complete
Module details
Explore the diversity of data in today’s analytical landscape. You’ll learn how to distinguish between basic counting and GPS data, understand the nuances of event data from different providers, and discover advanced tracking and skeleton data that add rich context to sports analysis.
Understanding Counting Data in Football Analytics•4 minutes
GPS and LPS Systems: Tracking Player Movement and Load•4 minutes
Understanding Event Data Structure and Provider Variations•5 minutes
From Data to Insights: Tactical Applications of Event Data•5 minutes
Understanding Tracking Data: From Broadcast to Multi-Angle Systems•5 minutes
The Rise of Skeleton Data: Mapping Players Beyond Position•4 minutes
3 readings•Total 155 minutes
Complementary Resources on The First Ones: Counting & GPS data•40 minutes
Complementary Resources on A Big Step Forward: Event data and its variations depending on the provider•30 minutes
Complementary Resources on Increasing Context: Tracking (broadcast & multi-angle) and skeleton data•85 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
What Is Out There? Different Data Types•30 minutes
What Is Out There? Different Data Types•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
What Is Out There? Different Data Types•10 minutes
Working with Data: Coding and Software
Module 3•5 hours to complete
Module details
Get hands-on with the tools and techniques that bring data to life. This module introduces you to gathering data through APIs and web scraping, processing it using Python and essential data formats, and transforming raw numbers into compelling visuals with platforms like Tableau, Matplotlib, and Power BI.
Understanding APIs: Gateways to Data in Modern Football Analytics•5 minutes
Web Scraping: Extracting Football Data from the Digital Landscape•5 minutes
Python for Football Data Processing: Transforming the Game with Code•5 minutes
Mastering Data Structures for Football Analytics: DataFrames, JSON, CSV, and XML•5 minutes
The Power of Data Visualization: Understanding the Fundamentals•4 minutes
Mastering Visualization Tools: Tableau, Power BI, and Matplotlib•5 minutes
3 readings•Total 175 minutes
Complementary Resources on Gathering the Data: Interacting with APIs and web scraping•80 minutes
Complementary Resources on Processing: Introduction to Python, data structures (DataFrames, JSON, CSV, XML, etc.)•35 minutes
Complementary Resources on Visualizing: Tableau, Matplotlib (Python), Power BI•60 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Working with Data: Coding and Software•30 minutes
Working with Data: Coding and Software•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Working with Data: Coding and Software•10 minutes
Communication
Module 4•4 hours to complete
Module details
Transform complex analyses into clear, actionable messages. Learn to identify the purpose of your analysis, strike the right balance between detail and simplicity, and use thoughtful chart design to ensure your audience grasps the insights—without being misled.
Founded in 2006 and ranked among the top by Forbes and Deloitte, RealMadridUE blends academic excellence with world-class sports insight. Celebrated as the "Best Fútbol Club of the 20th Century" (FIFA, 2000), and offering exclusive access to Real Madrid CF’s business and innovation strategies, our institution provides a unique, practical education that prepares students for successful careers in the global sports industry.
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What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.