Plus-Minus Rating
Plus-Minus Rating is a key performance measure used in sports, especially in basketball and hockey, to show how well a player impacts their team. It's a simple but powerful way to measure if a team does better or worse when a specific player is in the game. For example, if a team scores 10 points and allows 4 points while a player is on the court, that player's plus-minus would be +6. This helps teams and scouts evaluate players beyond just their personal statistics like points or assists.
Examples in Resumes
Led team with a Plus-Minus Rating of +245 over the regular season
Developed analytics system to track Plus/Minus trends across multiple seasons
Achieved highest +/- rating in team history during 2022-23 season
Typical job title: "Sports Analysts"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Sports Analysts
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you use Plus-Minus Rating to make strategic decisions about player acquisitions?
Expected Answer: Should discuss how to combine plus-minus with other metrics, understand its limitations, and explain how it fits into a comprehensive player evaluation system. Should mention adjusting for different team contexts and sample sizes.
Q: How would you improve upon the basic Plus-Minus Rating system?
Expected Answer: Should mention concepts like adjusted plus-minus, accounting for quality of teammates and opponents, and using it alongside other performance metrics for a complete player assessment.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the limitations of Plus-Minus Rating?
Expected Answer: Should discuss how team strength affects individual ratings, sample size issues, and why it's important to look at trends over time rather than single-game numbers.
Q: How do you explain Plus-Minus Rating trends to coaches and management?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to present statistical information in clear, actionable terms and explain how this data can influence game strategy and roster decisions.
Junior Level Questions
Q: Explain how Plus-Minus Rating is calculated.
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basic concept: tracking point differential (or goal differential in hockey) while a player is in the game versus on the bench.
Q: What makes a good Plus-Minus Rating?
Expected Answer: Should understand that positive numbers are generally good, but context matters - team quality, playing time, and role all affect what constitutes a 'good' rating.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic statistical analysis
- Understanding of sport-specific rules and terminology
- Data collection and organization
- Basic spreadsheet skills
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced statistical analysis
- Data visualization
- Report generation and presentation
- Understanding of advanced metrics
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic decision-making using analytics
- Team management consultation
- Advanced modeling and forecasting
- Development of new analytical methods
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic sports statistics
- Unable to explain complex data in simple terms
- Lack of experience with statistical software or spreadsheets
- No knowledge of the specific sport they're analyzing
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