Hockey Invention Idea

[Fozzie_DeBear]

OK now I am all inspired by the Dragons Den and wanted to get some feedback on an idea that I have for the professional sports (Hockey and Football).

The 'invention' is a wireless device attached to player equipment, it would provide a hub for sensors etc. and link to a computer system on the bench.

What I'd to know is which of the following features would be useful for the coaching staff/training in the invention. Tell me what you think..

1-The ability to monitor impact (can track concussions, the impact of Phaneufs hits)

2-The ability to monitor heart rate (is that Tanguey even working up a sweat?)

3-The ability to track a players position on the ice for the whole game (can be used to analyze positioning etc.)

4-The ability to have voice communication from the bench to the ice (Playfair can micromanage even further)

In your opinion would these features be useful to a pro sports team to improve performance and coaching? Any other ideas?

Don't worry about the technical feasibility of the gadget, we have some stellar wireless researchers here in Calgary, I just want to think about whether there would be a market...

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

1. That would do nothing to track concussions as the fource needed for a concussion is not static and furthermore concussions are monitored through CAT/MRI scans. Same thing with every injury.

2. Can tracking players not be done with I don't know videotape?

3. Heartrate? Why to determine what? I know that might sound rude but what would looking at a heartrate do in a game situation.

4. Don't cover ears in hockey reduced ambiant sound so one couldn't hear their teammate calling for a puck for instance.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

1. That would do nothing to track concussions as the fource needed for a concussion is not static and furthermore concussions are monitored through CAT/MRI scans. Same thing with every injury.

2. Can tracking players not be done with I don't know videotape?

3. Heartrate? Why to determine what? I know that might sound rude but what would looking at a heartrate do in a game situation.

4. Don't cover ears in hockey reduced ambiant sound so one couldn't hear their teammate calling for a puck for instance.

Good points...and no they don't sound rude...if an idea is an ugly baby it is better to hear it early...but to clarify a few things

1-You can measure impact pretty easily with accelerometers...case in point airbags...and Virginia Tech is already doing this

2-Yep it sure can...the only difference here (and this is kinda egg-head stuff) is that you could track the positions of all players inside a computer system and then mine the data for interesting patterns (hey oil companies/financial companies mine data for interesting patterns all the time)

3-Honestly...I dunno

4-No loss of ambient noise would be tolerated, it would just be the same as a teammate shouting to you.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

4-The ability to have voice communication from the bench to the ice (Playfair can micromanage even further)

Hasn't this already been invented?

It would be useful during a stoppage in play but not during the game.

[Jason14h]

1-The ability to monitor impact (can track concussions, the impact of Phaneufs hits)
The companies that develop helmets do this already. There was a big article on ESPN.com the other week about it.

The main problem with any of these is the cost/benifit would be no where near effficient for teams. There are cheaper ways to do each

[Cheese]

Watched the show, Dragons Den, last night....wow what a fantastic show by the CBC! Wont be long before the good ole boys down south pick up on it and do one for themselves.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Hasn't this already been invented?

It would be useful during a stoppage in play but not during the game.

Why not during a game?

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by Cheese

Watched the show, Dragons Den, last night....wow what a fantastic show by the CBC! Wont be long before the good ole boys down south pick up on it and do one for themselves.

Yeah, CBC is hemming and hawing about whether to pickup another season of the show...they would be fools not to.

This is the most entertaining 'reality-show' I have seen in a loooong time on any channel

My wife thinks it kicks a** too

[MattyK]

Would a communications system like that even be legal?

It's one thing for a player to shout to his teammates on the ice...it's another to have a coach on the bench, in a press box, etc...watching the play from several angles, and instructing players where to position themselves, on-the-fly.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Fozzie_DeBear

Why not during a game?

In hockey generally they are moving too fast to take instructions I would think. Maybe on the power-play or being able to say "Kovalchuk is cherry-picking" but I think most of the time they are going on instinct.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by MattyK

Would a communications system like that even be legal?

It's one thing for a player to shout to his teammates on the ice...it's another to have a coach on the bench, in a press box, etc...watching the play from several angles, and instructing players where to position themselves, on-the-fly.

I'd like to know this myself...anyone know anyone who might know?

[Coolsurfer79]

Don't QB's in the NFL have radios in there helmets so they can get instruction in between plays?