As the sport of football grows increasingly competitive and the physical effects of the game more controversial, training methods have to change, adapt, and become more advanced. Gone are the days of just being on the field and watching game film. Instead, football administrators and coaches are always on the lookout for new ways to change the game, get an edge on the competition, and most importantly, keep their players safe.
Over the last several years numerous companies have stepped up to the plate and developed software and hardware solutions to help athletes and coaches stay ahead of the game. One of those companies is Eon Sports VR.
Eon Sports VR, based in Kansas and started in 2013, has developed a solution to help athletes of all ages. They provide a virtual reality and augmented reality type of training that is much safer than on-the-field training and also allows for more mental preparation. To use Eon’s tech, coaches and athletes strap on a headset and once inside the virtual environment they can train as if they are live on the field.
Many have compared this experience to that of playing a video game – a fun yet challenging training environment that can be done anywhere. For youth football players who are new to the sport, this will give them the repetitions they need without the wear and tear on their bodies. For the professional player, this kind of technology gives them time to learn the playbook and gain confidence before they step out on the field. It helps the athlete make better decisions and see the field as a whole, strengthening cognitive and visualization abilities, which is extremely important in the game.
Having great physical abilities will only take players so far as there are always going to be athletes who are bigger, stronger and faster. But if they know the game inside and out, and can master the game in their mind before stepping out on the field, they will have an edge.
One day, virtual training can help guide the athlete from youth leagues to high school, through college and ultimately to the NFL. Their mental skills will be strong, and their bodies spared the physical rigor known to previous generations. Yes, football is and will always be a physical sport – this will never change. But what can change is how training is done, and virtual reality training opens the door to all kinds of new possibilities.