Athletes, coaches, and sports professionals at the highest levels all have a lot at stake. If integrating virtual reality experiences into their organizations to give their program an edge over the competition is what they need to win, then by all means. But what about the youth? How can the next wave of athletes benefit from these game-changing experiences?
Since 2014 professional sports teams, as well as top tier Division 1 football programs, have been actively participating in the development and integration of Virtual/Augmented Reality technologies within their organizations. These modern programs use STRIVR Labs immersive performance training technology to their competitive advantage in athlete development. STRIVR—Sports Training in Virtual Reality, was incorporated in 2015 but was an idea of Stanford Football Kicker, Derek Belch in 2007 – is among if not the leading game-changing VR technologies in the world. The competitive advantage that is offered is being able to film in the first-person, giving the athlete the vantage point of which they play during study sessions off the field and in their rooms. Today the company has over 17 teams signed, including the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Stanford University, Auburn University, Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals and more. O – and it won Sports Illustrated Innovation of the year in 2015.
The University of Michigan partnered with Headcase VR to elevate their football recruiting program by creating a VR experience that gave the recruit and his family a glimpse into his future both with the school and in football. What’s cool about HCVR is their approach to innovation; pushing the boundaries of what’s presently possible using traditional VR equipment and production methods, our proprietary processes produce fully immersive virtual reality content that elicits a seamless, transformational and unforgettable experience. Big picture, this allows The University of Michigan’s football coach, Jim Harbaugh to take the school on the road with him, whether he’s visiting recruits in rural Alabama or on the beaches of southern California, this competitive edge just got virtu-REAL.
The immersive interaction that’s offered from EON Sports VR, where a full game is simulated like that of Madden from EA Sports, where you are literally in the game. What’s different from this angle is that your decisions and movements as the user effect the outcome you are experiencing. Playbooks can be uploaded and practiced increasing reps without the wear and tear on your body. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers used it when getting Heisman Trophy Winner and first overall pick Jameis Winston ready for life in the NFL.
Ask any expert today, they will tell you the game has gotten faster, more marketable and explosive. The game of tomorrow will evolve from the inside on the athlete’s mind. The education targeting player intellect, awareness and second nature comprehension of skill, will be the edge earned by the next wave of premium athletes. The details are the win.
It’s one thing to develop innovative technology with virtual reality to enhance the performance of professional and Division 1 athletes, it’s another to propel athletes everywhere – at every level, with the same technology. There in lies, the future of player safety will be tasked to Virtual Reality. The content preparing today’s premium athletes will soon be the gold standard in player development for youth programs tomorrow.
“We feel like this is our sport. It’s being attacked, and we got to stop it at the grass roots,” Arians said. “It’s the best game that’s ever been f—— invented, and we got to make sure that moms get the message; because that’s who’s afraid of our game right now. It’s not dads, it’s moms.” Said, Arizona Cardinals football coach, Bruce Arians at a press conference in early April.
As a solution – a streamlined VR player development experience that kids can go through before ever putting on pads. There is no way around it, we are in the new age of player safety. By creating this educational content for youth – the next generation of athletes will be more prepared to create a safer game. This is where VR will set the precedence in evolving the game of football. Think of an entire generation that grows up with the VR headset that learns the fundamentals, techniques and rules of the game – in first person, before they ever put on the pads.
Sure, not every athlete is the same – but every rule and technique is. The goal should be, to establish the Drivers-Ed of sports. A streamlined learning curriculum that is put together by the top officials and experts in the game. An experience that brakes down the rules and techniques of the game – so kids can learn before playing earlier – giving them a better understanding of how to compete, prior to ever putting on pads. Teach them earlier, show them quicker, excite them vividly and get them to engage in game safety in a second nature context. Given that a virtual reality experience can monitor movements – so as the athletes game evolves – in order to graduate each course – all they need to do is a certain amount of perfect movements for that position or that technique. Seasonal after season – this will be the training program of the future.
