Statistics (generally - goals, assists, turnovers, blocks) are used for selection, as well as areas to improve on once teams have been selected - to a defender 'we want to see more blocks', a handler 'less throwaways'.
In Vancouver last year, the scorekeepers took stats, so by the time the tournament reached the finals stage, it was pretty obvious to any teams who had an internet connection who the main throwers or receivers were (as was the case with Japan or Terra) in the teams they were going to play against.
Stats by themselves aren't the be and end all. I'm sure everyone knows that one player who might not throw the goal, catch the goal or get the block, but still contributes incredibly to the team. Is this more to do with the limitations of the quantifiable, or rather insufficient data?
Who knows.
Here, though, are some stats I would like to see taken more in Ultimate. I've probably plagiarised some of them.
- Type of score: forehand? backhand? overhead - hammer or scoober?
- Number of breakmark throws/number of times mark is broken.
- Throws upfield vs reset (dump) throws.
- Average time disc held per possession (we could find out who all the disc hogs are).
- Total time played per game.
- Number of dump engagements (or lack of dump engagement before a preset time, the standard for most teams seems to be 4 or 5).
- Throws upwind/throws downwind.
- Average stall count achieved on defence.
- Distance gained (cuts).
