Enhanced Method for Computing Optimal Dribbling Routes Using Tracking Data in Basketball

In the last decade, data analysis and visualization have become increasingly essential in goal sports such as basketball, soccer, and rugby. Furthermore, in these goal sports, tracking systems have been widely used to obtain player and ball tracking data. Against this backdrop, several simulation-based methods have been proposed to generate informative data from player and ball tracking data of basketball matches, which are aimed to help fans, including viewers of match broadcasting or streaming, better understand plays and tactics. Among these methods, one involves a simulation- and optimization-based method for computing optimal dribbling routes to scoring areas in basketball. However, there was potential for further improvement. This study aims to improve this method by incorporating enhancements related to both a cost function for dribble routes and shootable areas. Additionally, this enhanced method is validated by using player and ball tracking data from the National Basketball Association (NBA).