When the Oakland Raiders and Chicago Bears met on the pristine field of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the NFL celebrated the twelfth year of its relationship with London. Semifinalists and linebackers clashed, sophisticated collaboration wreaking havoc from the sidelines.
The 2019-2020 NFL season heralds it as the most advanced in the history of competition on the technology front. Zebra Technologies' agreement with the NFL as the "Official Field Monitoring Provider" has been extended through 2021 - the initial partnership agreement was for the 2014-2018 seasons.
Zebra now provides all NFL teams with access to 11-11 data from each game for the entire league, enabling a new level of statistical information and analytical research to help support evaluation and evaluation. Player Development, Selection Activities, and Game Planning Processes Prior to 2018, NFL clubs had access to their own tracking data only after each game.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags on every player's shoulder pads and globes feed next-generation NFL stats, providing teams, broadcasters, and fans with unique real-time stats and readings that make Every game is still More exciting.
About the AuthorJohn Pollard is the Vice President of Business Development for Zebra Sports.
The technology
The same technology used in factories, warehouses, and retail stores to track and trace people's movements, inventory management, and material maintenance now allows the NFL to implement a tracking system for top-tier players and balls that help teams capture. your advantage.
To enable the collection of soccer data, RFID tags are embedded in players' equipment and in soccer. They transmit real-time location data to receivers around the stadium to collect measurements such as top speed and acceleration of players, distance traveled during a match and over a long period of time. game, proximity to other players and the ball.
A growing number of NFL clubs, about a third of the league, also use tracking technology as a practice system to capture information about the physical condition of players during practice week and during the week. the season, allowing teams to analyze player performance. This led the teams to conduct research and analysis to draw conclusions and correlations in the joint study of game data and practice data.
The same RFID tags are also incorporated into the bullets through a collaboration with Wilson Sporting Goods. The labels represent only 1% of the weight of each ball, as they weigh a little less than 4 grams. It is essential that they do not affect the integrity, shape or movements of the ball, designed to meet the specifications of a ball of the day.
A new level of information about players and players.
During each game of the season, the radio frequencies of the players and the balls are picked up by receivers located around the perimeter of the stadium. The 2018-1920 season demonstrated that NFL teams had reached a new level of comfort and understanding regarding the strategic value provided by the player and balloon tracking information.
For example, player tracking information helps to better understand project management, how to quantify, through empirical data, how fast players move during a game, whether they are trying to tackle, cover a receiver or play the game. ball during a pass. Player tracking information and technology help the NFL and its teams reach new levels of efficiency while revolutionizing the way coaches, coaches and scouts can evaluate player performance. and study gaming trends.
The tag implemented on the balloons allows the NFL to continuously track them during the game and provides unique workflow information for all passes and kicks, including speed (MPH), rotation information (RPM) and height of the ball. ball. Zebra MotionWorks® technology is also used at Reese's Senior Bowl, an invitation-only student-only all-star game in Mobile, Alabama, which offers professional scouts and coaches the opportunity to evaluate the performance of participating players through a series of practices and a game as they begin their transition between college and the professional league.
The information and knowledge that can be derived from tracking solutions is also a useful resource for NFL fitness coaches to assess the workload, performance, and individual participation of players in training. , throughout the season.
Using a combination of specialized reporting and analysis, strength coaches can develop unique performance profiles for each player in the roster to tailor each player's regimen and physical development. This information can be particularly helpful when reintroducing a player to activity after injury and / or a prolonged period of rest.
Fan experience
RFID tags also collect the data underlying upcoming NFL stats. This allows fans to watch at home, league media partners, and sports broadcasters instant access to unique game data and player performance management information. As the popularity of American football continues to grow in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Next Gen's stats can help new fans get acquainted with the game and the rules of the game, while offering seasoned fans a new confidence level. d & # 39; excitement. information that will enhance the visual experience of the game.
New horizons
Despite all the incredible knowledge we've received this season, technology opportunities on the field in the NFL and other sports are far from being at their peak.
Just as supply chains are multi-dimensional and require smart devices to enable employers to make data-driven decisions, team sports are complex and require information that enables players to realize their potential to make a difference. performance. It is not difficult to imagine the significant impact of RFID on other team sports such as rugby and soccer.
As game day training and tracking continues to evolve, data-driven insights quickly align with current societal demand, better connecting players and fans.
John Pollard is the Vice President of Business Development for Zebra Sports.