Top German Professional (Team) Handball League Revamped By Player Tracking
The LIQUI MOLY Handball-Bundesliga (HBL) and KINEXON have worked together closely since the 2019 – 20 season. Christian Günther, KINEXON expert for strategic partnerships, explains how adding player tracking and ball tracker technology has players, coaches, and fans seeing team handball in a completely different light.
Author: Christian Günther
When the LIQUI MOLY HBL and KINEXON joined forces, they created something entirely new. For the first time, a big sports league implemented sensor-based tracking of the ball and players into its gaming operations to make the data available to all teams, as well as advertising and media partners.
On the one hand, the league was looking for new solutions for load management, training conception, and tactical analysis. At the same time, it aimed to make handball more accessible — the driving force: creating a more appealing media product while attracting new fans and potential partners.
Every arena of the LIQUI MOLY HBL received its KINEXON system that provides every player’s real-time movement data. Ball tracking followed step by step. The challenge there: in the beginning, the balls by SELECT were the only ones compatible with KINEXON’s technology.
Thanks to strenuous efforts, all of the HBL’s ball partners joined over time – – and during the 2021 – 22 season, ball tracking, for the first time, was being used during every game.
“The collaboration and the data network strengthen the HBL’s reputation as one of the most innovative and progressive sports leagues.”
Revolutionizing The Team Handball Experience
Acceleration. Jumps. Shot speed. Shot charts. The combination of player and ball-tracking data provides never-before-seen insights. In the end, clubs, fans, media, and advertising partners received over 180 metrics and were full of praise.
For clubs, the data paved the way for new marketing opportunities. Today, more than half of the HBL’s teams use KINEXON’s tracking data for marketing purposes and to generate new sources of income.
The league’s data sponsor, DKB, created an entirely new and innovative experience: during several games, fans could follow metrics such as shot and sprint speed on the HBL’s LED advertising panels around the court. Plus, there was HPI, a data-based performance index for players. That way, fans gained deeper insights, and facts underpinned what they had seen.
The HBL, KINEXON and other partners worked together closely to achieve all this. As equals, all parties continuously pushed for new ideas and kept developing the digitalization of the world’s strongest handball league – even during the challenging pandemic period.
HBL Clubs Benefit From Sports Analytics
At the same time, the collaboration’s initial period provided valuable insights.
KINEXON managed to inspire several teams to use its player and ball tracking solutions around their training facilities. Some of the teams include:
- Rhein-Neckar-Löwen
- THW Kiel, MT Melsungen
- SC DHfK Leipzig
- FRISCH AUF! Göppingen
- HC Erlangen
However, there remains unused potential for the sports performance software’s widespread distribution among the entire league.
“Our clubs have realized that the use of data makes the handball system stronger and more competitive. Those who have recognized this are also willing to make additional investments in personnel and training systems.”
The more clubs can bring together match an and sports performance data, the more they will benefit from the advantages player and ball tracking provides, including load management and injury prevention.
Helping players peak at the right moment can perfect one’s strategy. Metrics can contribute to numerous aspects. Especially considering the HBL’s tight schedule.
“We must also enable clubs to use the data in their training facilities. We have to clearly highlight the benefits, especially for a club’s coaching staff and front office. At the same time, we need to explain how coaching staffs can use the metrics clearly.”
Player and Ball Tracking: Sports Data Creates Context for Coaches
Context is crucial, as a single metric never leads to new insights. Neither for clubs, coaches, and players nor for fans. Hence, it is vital to provide the data with context. That is the only way they can tell a story and make handball more accessible.
For example, using metrics, it is possible to single out a player’s passing chart and put it into certain in-game situations’ contexts. It helps coaches to answer questions like:
- How does the player react under pressure?
- How many opponents were between him and his successful pass’s addressee?
- Is the player still at full strength?
Using proper context, those metrics can tell a player’s story while explaining his importance to his team.
“Together we can unlock the power of data storytelling with game-changing technology — bridging the gap between information and emotion.”
That offers added value, especially for editorial teams and media partners: metrics can lay the groundwork for real “data stories” to complement the TV broadcast and streams, particularly since there exists data from day one of the collaboration between the HBL and KINEXON.
Using tangible metrics, we can trace handball’s development over the years. Therefore, if all goes according to plan, phase one of the partnership between the HBL and KINEXON creates the base for a never-seen-before team handball and media product.
Any questions? Please contact one of our player or ball tracking experts.
More stories
What Data and Insights Does Connected Ball Technology Provide?
Author: Daniel Linke, PhD
Adidas recently announced that the official ball for EURO 2024 will use connected ball technology at the men’s and women’s UEFA EURO tournaments. It provides real-time data and insights on the position, motion, and status of the ball. But what data and insights does this provide? Let’s find out.
How Much Do KINEXON PERFORM GPS PRO Wearable Sensors Weigh?
One of the most important criteria for wearable sensors is that they should be lightweight and comfortable, while still providing the sports data analytics that coaches and trainers need. KINEXON PERFORM GPS Pro wearables fit the bill, but how light are they, really? Let’s find out.
What Volleyball Analytics Can Coaches Get from KINEXON PERFORM IMU?
More and more coaches and players are implementing volleyball analytics to help improve their game. And they’re using Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) to gain an edge. So, let’s explain what the IMU is, the metrics it provides, and which ones should matter most to volleyball coaches.
Savino Del Bene Scandicci Volleyball Selected as Third KINEXON and AWS Flagship Team
Savino Del Bene Scandicci is among Italy’s best women’s volleyball teams and competes on an international level, in the highest European competitions. Alongside other teams and clubs from different parts of the world in various sports like Florida State University, Viktoria Berlin and TSG Hoffenheim, the team is joining forces with KINEXON and AWS and embrace technology with clear goals in mind. Let’s dive in.
How Hockey Advanced Statistics Are Changing The Game On Every Level
In ice hockey, advanced statistics are an incredibly powerful tool. They can unlock the secrets of the sport. From the ability to track a player’s individual performance to developing team strategies, advanced stats can help teams make better decisions and gain a competitive edge. Let’s find out how.
Why Are KINEXON Sports Vests a Vital Part of Player Tracking?
In sports, advanced technologies are becoming increasingly instrumental in enhancing player performance and strategy. The introduction of sports vests has helped tremendously in the gathering of data. The reason? When equipped with a player tracking wearable sensor, sports vests make collecting sports performance data incredibly easy.
How Football Coaches Can Use Sports Performance Data to Peak During Bowl Season
As the bowl season draws near, the role of sports performance tracking technology becomes pivotal. For coaches, strategically balancing weekly training schedules and the demands of game day must be top-of-mind to secure the best opportunity to land a bid for a bowl game.
KINEXON Is Helping Teams to Introduce Cycle-Oriented Performance Training in Women’s Sports
When it comes to achieving peak performance in sports, the one-size-fits-all approach falls short. With the rise of individualized training regimens, a new area has emerged in women’s sports: performance and team training oriented on players’ menstrual cycle and well-being.
By leveraging the power of KINEXON sports analytics, teams are tapping into a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between the menstrual cycle, personal well-being and athletic prowess.
How Coaches Craft Game Plans from Basketball Shot Data and Performance Metrics
In the bygone era of basketball coaching, the responsibility of tracking and analyzing player statistics fell squarely on the shoulders of coaches. Assessing shot charts, dissecting practice drills, and developing game strategies were manual endeavors that required a keen eye and extensive time commitment.
Fast forward to today, where the marriage of performance tracking data and shot statistics can not only alleviate the burden on the coaching staff but also offer a profound, data-driven window into player performance.
Behind the Sports Tech: Why KINEXON’s Player Tracking Wearables Stand Out
KINEXON is known for its use in sports analytics by leveraging wearable sensors to collect data from athletes in real-time. Let’s break down the technology behind the sensors.
How Basketball Coaches Use Sports Performance Tracking Data Leading into Game Day
Earlier this year, we sat down with the University of Colorado’s Steve Englehart, Director of Sports Performance for Olympic Sports, to learn more about how he prepares for the Buffaloes men’s basketball season. His mindset about athlete performance and training methods has evolved with the development of sports performance tracking technology.
Here, we dive deeper into his experience using KINEXON’s PERFORM IMU solution to prepare his team to compete at the highest level for the 2023 – 24 college basketball season.
Florida State Basketball: Women’s Team Dribbles into the Future With KINEXON as the Next AWS Flagship Team
Helping to lead the charge with German lighthouse football club, Viktoria Berlin, Florida State University’s (FSU) Women’s Basketball program is the next flagship team to have joined forces with KINEXON and AWS, challenging the status quo for women athletes in professional and collegiate sports with cutting-edge sports technology – customized to women’s requirements.
What Types of Basketball Shots Can COMPETE Vision Improve?
From layups to three-pointers, the types of shots in basketball that players take continues to evolve. But now coaches can use KINEXON COMPETE Vision to analyze practice and game videos to help improve the shots their players take from anywhere on the floor. Here’s how.
KINEXON Sports Data Journalist Transforming The Handball Bundesliga Viewing Experience
Author: Dave Grendzynski
In the world of sports, a data-driven era is emerging, revealing untold stories beyond the on-field action. KINEXON is leading this transformation in Handball Bundesliga.
And at the heart of it is this season’s game-changing role: the sports data journalist, and Lara Kellermann’s impact in this innovative partnership.
Furman's Director of Basketball Performance, Matt Aldred, Joins KINEXON as an Ambassador
KINEXON is excited to announce the signing of Matt Aldred, Assistant Head Coach and Director of Basketball Performance, as a member of the KINEXON Ambassador Program.