University of Memphis Athletics
The Next Step
Oct 11, 2016 | Football
Video technology helps football success on the field.
*NOTE: This feature story on the Tigers football video department first appeared in the Sept. 24 Memphis Football GameDay Program.
In his Dec. 4, 2015, introductory press conference, Mike Norvell said: "It is going to take all of us. Every alumni, former letterman, students, all of the administration and every person in this great community. We have shown that we are on course for championships. We are striving for excellence daily. It's going to take all of us to take that next step."
Many fans and supporters see "the next step" as one taken on the field of play – either a big win or a championship or a prestigious bowl invitation. But, for those achievements to come to fruition on the field, some steps have to be made behind the scenes.
Since his arrival last December, Norvell has helped the Tigers program get on track for that next step by assisting the football video department in making a huge leap over the last 10 months.
"We're fortunate to have a head coach and a coaching staff that want to stay on top of technology," said Matthew Haron, director of football video. "We're also fortunate to have the support to help us get the technology we have."
That new technology is XOS ThunderCloud produced by XOS Digital, and it has brought a whole new world to video for coaches, players and videographers. There are many new features the system brings, but the primary function of XOS ThunderCloud is making the video area of the football program more efficient.
In addition to the XOS ThunderCloud system, Norvell raised support to fund the purchase of iPads for all the players. Now, the players can watch film via the ThunderCloud on their iPads during any free time they have, in addition to using the iPads for schoolwork. In preseason drills, the players viewed the new technology and signed contracts with the University of Memphis stating they were responsible for the iPads.
"We have outstanding supporters that have helped provide the availability to get different things like our virtual reality system," said Norvell. "We also were able to get every player on our team iPads so they can study film at their homes instead of coming back to the football facility to watch film. That's big for the mental part of the game."
Redshirt junior offensive lineman Gabe Kuhn agreed, "Each player has his own iPad to study film whenever and wherever he wants. It helps keep us a step ahead of the competition. It's helped in our performance on the field. I've seen a lot more of our guys studying film and coming out to practice more prepared."
So, gone are the days of having to wait the day after practice to watch video. Toss out the days of players returning to coaches' offices to watch film. And, the days of carrying around playbook binders are history.
"When Coach Norvell arrived, one of things we wanted to do is provide technology to our players so they can be successful on and off the field," Haron said. "This fall, we distributed over 90 iPads to the players. Players can use the iPads for viewing game film or practices and opponents' game film. Anything we have in our system, they can watch in their dorms whenever they want."
In addition to video, players also have playbooks on their iPads instead of carrying around thick binders. And, according to Haron, videos can be attached to plays in the playbook, allowing the players to see the action unfold instead of only looking at Xs and Os on a piece of paper.
"The physical playbook we used to hand out is now all on the iPads," said Haron. "The players now have video and playbooks all on one device, so it's more efficient for them."
Not only is the system efficient, but it also delivers virtual reality video that gives a 360-degree view of practices. In certain segments of practice, Haron stands behind the quarterback on offense and linebackers on defense and shoots plays that are later put into the ThunderCloud.
"We try to get angles for both offense and defense every day," said Haron. "One of this system's best features is that the camera also captures audio. That helps the coaches and players hear what calls were made by both offense and defense."
The main technology pieces – including the ThunderVR and its oculus goggles – are housed in Haron's video department, and players come by on a regular basis to use the system. However, once the 360-degree virtual reality video is downloaded, it is available for all the players to view on their iPads.
"We're able to see every play in practice from the quarterback's point of view," Norvell said. "With this system, the quarterbacks can relive those reps without the physical exertion."
Kuhn added, "We have a virtual reality system that makes you feel like you're really in a game while watching video. It's been a lot of help."
In his Dec. 4, 2015, introductory press conference, Mike Norvell said: "It is going to take all of us. Every alumni, former letterman, students, all of the administration and every person in this great community. We have shown that we are on course for championships. We are striving for excellence daily. It's going to take all of us to take that next step."
Many fans and supporters see "the next step" as one taken on the field of play – either a big win or a championship or a prestigious bowl invitation. But, for those achievements to come to fruition on the field, some steps have to be made behind the scenes.
Since his arrival last December, Norvell has helped the Tigers program get on track for that next step by assisting the football video department in making a huge leap over the last 10 months.
"We're fortunate to have a head coach and a coaching staff that want to stay on top of technology," said Matthew Haron, director of football video. "We're also fortunate to have the support to help us get the technology we have."
That new technology is XOS ThunderCloud produced by XOS Digital, and it has brought a whole new world to video for coaches, players and videographers. There are many new features the system brings, but the primary function of XOS ThunderCloud is making the video area of the football program more efficient.
In addition to the XOS ThunderCloud system, Norvell raised support to fund the purchase of iPads for all the players. Now, the players can watch film via the ThunderCloud on their iPads during any free time they have, in addition to using the iPads for schoolwork. In preseason drills, the players viewed the new technology and signed contracts with the University of Memphis stating they were responsible for the iPads.
"We have outstanding supporters that have helped provide the availability to get different things like our virtual reality system," said Norvell. "We also were able to get every player on our team iPads so they can study film at their homes instead of coming back to the football facility to watch film. That's big for the mental part of the game."
Redshirt junior offensive lineman Gabe Kuhn agreed, "Each player has his own iPad to study film whenever and wherever he wants. It helps keep us a step ahead of the competition. It's helped in our performance on the field. I've seen a lot more of our guys studying film and coming out to practice more prepared."
So, gone are the days of having to wait the day after practice to watch video. Toss out the days of players returning to coaches' offices to watch film. And, the days of carrying around playbook binders are history.
"When Coach Norvell arrived, one of things we wanted to do is provide technology to our players so they can be successful on and off the field," Haron said. "This fall, we distributed over 90 iPads to the players. Players can use the iPads for viewing game film or practices and opponents' game film. Anything we have in our system, they can watch in their dorms whenever they want."
In addition to video, players also have playbooks on their iPads instead of carrying around thick binders. And, according to Haron, videos can be attached to plays in the playbook, allowing the players to see the action unfold instead of only looking at Xs and Os on a piece of paper.
"The physical playbook we used to hand out is now all on the iPads," said Haron. "The players now have video and playbooks all on one device, so it's more efficient for them."
Not only is the system efficient, but it also delivers virtual reality video that gives a 360-degree view of practices. In certain segments of practice, Haron stands behind the quarterback on offense and linebackers on defense and shoots plays that are later put into the ThunderCloud.
"We try to get angles for both offense and defense every day," said Haron. "One of this system's best features is that the camera also captures audio. That helps the coaches and players hear what calls were made by both offense and defense."
The main technology pieces – including the ThunderVR and its oculus goggles – are housed in Haron's video department, and players come by on a regular basis to use the system. However, once the 360-degree virtual reality video is downloaded, it is available for all the players to view on their iPads.
"We're able to see every play in practice from the quarterback's point of view," Norvell said. "With this system, the quarterbacks can relive those reps without the physical exertion."
Kuhn added, "We have a virtual reality system that makes you feel like you're really in a game while watching video. It's been a lot of help."
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