The Next Step After the Wii
Wii Sports took the world by storm recently by introducing fun and enjoyable sports simulation games for the entire family. But while it has certainly had its benefits for aspirant sportsmen and women, there are the ‘real deals’ out there that are just as fun but markedly more informative.
‘Big brothers’ of sports technology
Sports information systems have emerged following the Wii generation but this time the veritable ‘big brothers’ of sports technology have been designed with one thing in mind and that is to accurately pinpoint where the sportsman or woman is going wrong and how best to ‘fix’ the error.
These powerful and accurate systems harness only the very best in cutting edge technology, some of which was originally designed for use by the armed forces of powerful nations.
3D Doppler tracking ensures precise ball tracking
3D Doppler tracking, for instance, is currently the most precise ball tracking system known to man. We have all seen the results of this accurate information system in the hawk-eye technology used in the grand slams of ATP and WTA tennis, as well as in fiercely contested international cricket clashes.
By carefully mapping the ball during the match or test, the system is capable of presenting an entire range of statistics that, when properly analysed, will enlighten the tennis player, batsman or bowler as to their faults, regardless of how miniscule they are.
For instance, by glancing at the stats, Roger Federer will be aware that he has to improve his first serve percentage if he has any chance of subduing his younger rival on the clay of Roland Garros. Andy Murray, on the other hand, may well have made the great leap in the ATP ranking simply because he has become aware of his propensity of making unforced errors at critical times and has since remedied the situation.
In the same vein, star bowler, Dale Steyn, will know that he has been bowling the wrong line and length, simply by looking at where the majority of balls have landed on the pitch map…apart from the fact that he has, in all probability, been hit for a number of boundaries.
Launch monitors a great addition to the golf bag
In golf, launch monitors have become the latest and greatest addition to the bag. By tracking the club head as well as the ball, launch monitors can and will quickly pinpoint what is going wrong with the swing and how best to improve it.
By simply adjusting the angle the club head hits the ball, for instance, the lift of the ball can be improved and, in so doing, the distance attained in the shot can be increased. It’s no longer necessary to rely on the expertise of other sportsmen and women if your game needs a success makeover – simply embrace the latest in technology and, who knows, you may well be in the running for the green jacket, a share of the Ashes or the Venus Rosewater Dish!