Chapter 13: Quiz - Play-by-Play Visualization

Instructions

Select the best answer for each question. Questions cover play-by-play data visualization concepts and techniques.

Section 1: Data Structure and Concepts (Questions 1-8)

Question 1

What does EPA (Expected Points Added) measure for a single play?

A) Total points scored on the play B) The change in expected points from before to after the play C) The probability of scoring a touchdown D) The average points scored in similar situations

Question 2

In play-by-play data, what does a yard line value of 75 typically represent?

A) The team's own 25-yard line B) The opponent's 25-yard line C) 75 yards from the end zone D) Midfield plus 25 yards

Question 3

What is WPA (Win Probability Added)?

A) The total wins added by a player B) The change in win probability from a single play C) The probability of winning the game D) A weighted average of play results

Question 4

Which metric is most appropriate for identifying the single most impactful play in a game?

A) Yards gained B) EPA C) WPA D) First down conversion

Question 5

In a drive chart, what does the x-axis typically represent?

A) Time remaining B) Field position (yard line) C) Play number D) Points scored

Question 6

What information is captured in the "pre-play state" of play-by-play data?

A) Yards gained and play type B) Down, distance, yard line, and score C) EPA and WPA values D) Final play result

Question 7

Why might a play show positive yards gained but negative EPA?

A) The data is incorrect B) The play didn't gain enough yards for the situation (e.g., 2 yards on 3rd & 8) C) The defense played well D) EPA only counts touchdowns

Question 8

What distinguishes a drive chart from a win probability chart?

A) Drive charts show a single possession; WP charts show the entire game B) Drive charts use time; WP charts use field position C) They are the same visualization D) Drive charts show defense; WP charts show offense

Section 2: Drive Charts (Questions 9-14)

Question 9

What is the standard way to represent a touchdown in a drive chart?

A) Red marker B) Larger marker or special symbol in the end zone C) Dashed line D) No special indication

Question 10

When showing multiple drives in a game summary, drives should be ordered:

A) By yards gained B) By chronological order (first to last) C) By EPA D) By number of plays

Question 11

What visual encoding is most effective for showing yards gained on each play within a drive?

A) Color intensity B) Line length/segment length C) Marker size D) Animation speed

Question 12

How should a turnover be visually distinguished in a drive chart?

A) Red/negative color and distinct marker B) Larger font C) Blinking animation D) No distinction needed

Question 13

What is the purpose of showing down and distance labels on a drive chart?

A) To meet regulations B) To provide context for evaluating each play's success C) To fill empty space D) To show time remaining

Question 14

When creating a drive chart with EPA annotations, the color scale should be:

A) Sequential (light to dark) B) Diverging (centered at zero) C) Categorical D) Random

Section 3: Win Probability (Questions 15-20)

Question 15

At kickoff of a neutral site game, what is the typical starting win probability for each team?

A) 100% for home team B) 50% for each team C) Based on rankings D) 0% until a score

Question 16

What causes a "spike" in a win probability chart?

A) A timeout B) A high-impact play (touchdown, turnover, etc.) C) End of quarter D) Substitution

Question 17

The area between the WP curve and the 50% line represents:

A) Total yards gained B) The magnitude of one team's advantage over time C) Scoring drives D) Time of possession

Question 18

When should key moments be annotated on a win probability chart?

A) Every play B) Plays with WPA magnitude above a threshold (e.g., >5%) C) Only touchdowns D) Never - let viewers interpret

Question 19

What visual technique best shows which team was winning at any given moment?

A) Line thickness B) Fill/shading above and below 50% C) Data point markers D) Text labels

Question 20

How should overtime be handled in a win probability visualization?

A) Stop at end of regulation B) Extend the time axis and continue the curve C) Create a separate chart D) Ignore overtime

Section 4: Performance Analysis (Questions 21-25)

Question 21

A situational heatmap showing EPA by down and distance should use what type of color scheme?

A) Sequential B) Diverging (centered at zero) C) Categorical D) Single color

Question 22

When comparing EPA distributions for pass vs. rush plays, which chart type is most appropriate?

A) Pie chart B) Back-to-back histograms or density plots C) Scatter plot D) Bar chart

Question 23

What does a play sequence diagram show that a simple drive chart doesn't?

A) Field position B) Detailed context for each play (down/distance, EPA, result) C) Total yards D) Time remaining

Question 24

When creating a cumulative EPA chart for a game, what should the y-axis show?

A) Individual play EPA B) Running total of EPA C) Win probability D) Yards per play

Question 25

Sample size annotations (n=XX) in situational analysis are important because:

A) They look professional B) They help viewers assess statistical reliability C) They are required by regulations D) They fill space

Section 5: Advanced Techniques (Questions 26-30)

Question 26

What is the primary advantage of animated drive visualizations over static charts?

A) They are more colorful B) They show temporal progression and build narrative C) They use less data D) They are easier to create

Question 27

For a TV broadcast graphic showing win probability, the update speed should be:

A) Real-time after every play B) Smooth animation with 1-2 second transitions C) Only at commercial breaks D) Only at quarter ends

Question 28

When creating a drive analysis for coaching staff, the appropriate level of detail is:

A) Summary statistics only B) Comprehensive play-by-play with situational context C) Just the final score D) Only big plays

Question 29

What makes a "play tree" visualization different from a standard drive chart?

A) It shows branching paths based on different outcomes B) It uses different colors C) It's animated D) It shows defense

Question 30

When visualizing play-by-play data for social media, the most important consideration is:

A) Maximum data density B) Quick comprehension (2-3 seconds) C) Print quality D) Interactive features

Answer Key

Section 1: Data Structure and Concepts

  1. B - EPA measures the change in expected points from before to after a play
  2. B - Yard line 75 represents opponent's 25-yard line (100 - 75 = 25 yards from opponent's goal)
  3. B - WPA is the change in win probability resulting from a single play
  4. C - WPA directly measures game impact; a 1-yard TD might have huge WPA but low EPA
  5. B - Drive charts show field position progression
  6. B - Pre-play state includes down, distance, yard line, and score
  7. B - EPA accounts for situation; short gains on long-distance downs lose expected points
  8. A - Drive charts show single possessions; WP charts show entire game flow

Section 2: Drive Charts

  1. B - Touchdowns are typically shown with special markers in the end zone
  2. B - Chronological order preserves the game narrative
  3. B - Line/segment length directly encodes yards gained (position encoding)
  4. A - Turnovers need clear visual distinction with color and marker
  5. B - Down and distance context is essential for evaluating success
  6. B - EPA should use diverging scale centered at zero (neutral)

Section 3: Win Probability

  1. B - Neutral site games start at 50-50; home field would adjust slightly
  2. B - High-impact plays cause rapid changes in win probability
  3. B - The fill area shows the magnitude of advantage over time
  4. B - Only annotate significant plays to avoid clutter
  5. B - Fill/shading makes leading team immediately apparent
  6. B - Continue the chart to show overtime progression

Section 4: Performance Analysis

  1. B - EPA can be positive or negative, requiring diverging scheme
  2. B - Side-by-side distributions allow direct comparison
  3. B - Sequence diagrams show complete play context
  4. B - Cumulative EPA shows total value accumulation
  5. B - Sample size affects statistical reliability of averages

Section 5: Advanced Techniques

  1. B - Animation shows how events unfold over time
  2. B - Smooth transitions make changes digestible for viewers
  3. B - Coaches need comprehensive detail for film review
  4. A - Play trees can show alternative outcomes (what-if scenarios)
  5. B - Social media requires instant comprehension

Scoring Guide

  • 27-30 correct: Excellent mastery of play-by-play visualization
  • 23-26 correct: Good understanding; review missed concepts
  • 19-22 correct: Adequate foundation; practice with exercises
  • Below 19: Review chapter material thoroughly

Concept Review by Score

If you missed Questions 1-8 (Data Concepts):

Review Section 13.1 on play-by-play data structure. Focus on understanding EPA and WPA calculations and their interpretation.

If you missed Questions 9-14 (Drive Charts):

Review Section 13.2 on drive chart creation. Practice building drive charts with the exercise code.

If you missed Questions 15-20 (Win Probability):

Review Section 13.3 on win probability visualization. Study how WP changes throughout games.

If you missed Questions 21-25 (Performance Analysis):

Review Section 13.4 on play-level performance visualization. Practice creating heatmaps and distributions.

If you missed Questions 26-30 (Advanced Techniques):

Review Sections 13.5-13.6 on sequential and animated visualizations. Consider audience-specific design needs.