2014/2015 Season NFL Fans Can Expect Enhanced Player Statistics through Advanced GPS Tracking
4 Sep 2014Today is the opening game of the 2014/2014 NFL season, and GPS trackingtechnology is poised to pave the way toward advanced statistics for the upcoming season, reports the USA Today.
For the upcoming 2014/2015 NFL season, the players will each be wearing something new. It’s not a new jersey or helmet, but a sensor similar to a personal GPS tracking devicethat is underneath their shoulder pads. The motion-tracking RFID tag is going to track each player’s motion, activity, and up-to-date statistics about their performance and agility throughout the game.
The tracking devices utilize global positioning software (GPS) in order to track information like their acceleration, position, and what kind of distance they are covering on the field. All of this information is going to be available in real-time where not just coaches and players get the information, but so do fans.
Zebra Technologies has developed the software and database being used for the NFL season. It’s goal is to give everyone a more inside look into the game and the players. The GPS tracking technology will be used in practice, training, scouting, and during games. It will help coaches find new players for following seasons, and during this season, fans can follow along with their favorite players to get a truly unique experience.
This isn’t the first time the NFL has used GPS tracking technology, but the systems by Zebra Technologies is more advanced so far. Prior to this, tracking was used only during practice so that the coaches could keep up with their player’s and determine if they were showing signs of injury and needed medical attention. It also helped them decide on plays for future games. Now, it is being brought to a whole new level.
So what exactly can fans see? The vice president of the NFL, Vishal Shah, told USA Today Sports that they will see different touchpoints occurring throughout the NFL. He added:
“Certainly, the most comprehensive and impactful might be to the fans themselves. But it’s going to touch areas of our league and give us a deeper understanding of our game.”
There are sensors built inside the tracking device that pick up various information. For instance, if a player is working hard, showing signs of injury by slowing down, or traveling a long distance across the field, it is all tracked.
Coaches are finding a myriad of benefits to using the tracking devices, including knowing which of their players work best in what situations. It allows them to choose the right plays based on each player’s strengths and weaknesses. They can also evaluate past games, analyze the data, and figure out what went wrong or where it could be improved.
Moving forward for this season, fans will be able to access the player’s data in the cloud, where they check in online during a game and get the information in real-time.
It should prove to be an exciting 2014/2014 NFL Season with new technology in the game.
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