Soccer is the most popular sport in the world and a very healthy one at that. But many children stop playing sports all together after the age of 13. The InsideCoach Smart Soccer Ball Trainer hopes to encourage kids to play longer, by making the game more fun through their innovative new technology that challenges players and their friends to build on their skills in real time.
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The ball and its mobile app companion were designed to be the world’s smartest soccer ball. The sensors in the ball provide real time data to the app, which is compatible with iPhone or Android via wifi or a wireless network, enabling a long range connection. The app is then able to record an array of stats: ball touches, passes, dribbling, juggling, force, trajectory, spin, and overall playtime. Data collection is just the first part of what makes this new technology great for any soccer player.
Players can then use the app to help them hone in on and improve their skills with real time coaching cues and step-by-step how to videos, based on the data collected. The data itself is very is easy to read and understand, displayed with simple charts and graphs. It also builds a historical profile so users can keep track of their progress long term.
The real time updates also allow for one of the most fun features, competition amongst friends. Users can compete with friends setting and breaking records for any number of skills in real time. The smart ball is also great for coaches and parents to assign training and skills, with progress being easily tracked along the way.
The ball is the same size and weight as a regular soccer ball and is designed for both outdoor and indoor use. It charges wirelessly on a Qi charging pad, and when fully charged the battery lasts up to four hours.
The only other real competition currently on the market is from the Adidas micoach smart ball which retails for $200.00 and has been on the market since 2014. This ball is listed at a similar price point but it can only be used for dead ball/free kick tracking, making it a much more limited training tool.
InsideCoach currently has a KickStarter campaign with the goal of raising $25,000 by the end of March 2016. If the crowd funding goal is met, they will make improvements to the technology before manufacturing, with the hopes to ship by December 2016. The ball will retail for $185.00, but if you help the KickStarter campaign it will be available for $99.00. InsideCoach is actively encouraging people to develop 3rd party apps, as the more data that can be collected the better the training an insight will become.
This new technology could truly help elevate the game in the United States, and it is great for all skill levels; from aspiring pros, to friends and family who are just looking to have some fun.