Using online learning to analyze the opponent's behavior

Abstract

Analyzing opponent teams has been established within the simulation league for a number of years. However, most of the analyzing methods are only available off-line. Last year we introduced a new idea which uses a time series-based decision tree induction to generate rules on-line. This paper follows that idea and introduces the approach in detail. We implemented this approach as a library function and are therefore able to use on-line coaches of various teams in order to test the method. The tests are based on two 'models': (a) the behavior of a goal-keeper, and (b) the pass behavior of the opponent players. The approach generates propositional rules (first rules after 1000 cycles) which have to be pruned and interpreted in order to use this new knowledge for one's own team. We discuss the outcome of the tests in detail and conclude that on-line learning despite of the lack of time is not only possible but can become an effective method for one's own team. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2003.