Virtual Reality coming to the Washington Capitals
No, you didn’t read that headline wrong.
The Washington Capitals are one of a number of professional sports team that is employing a new virtual reality technology to improve training for their athletes.
The new technology will allow players to see a virtualized 3D replay of their performances with the hopes of finding new ways to improve through enhanced feedback.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Capitals, made the announcement today:
“I am thrilled to announce a partnership with STRIVR Labs and all three professional sports teams as we become the first to utilize their innovative technology in each respective league,” said Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman and majority owner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “STRIVR’s virtual reality technology will provide our teams and players with increased visualization techniques and training skills as well as an unmatched in-arena and VIP game-day experience.”
STRIVR’s technology will aid in player development as Wizards, Capitals and Mystics players will be able to train and visualize real-game experiences while being away from the court and ice. Using a headset and a pair of headphones, players are able to see 3D video replays from an on-court and on-ice perspective, reviewing that play from a first-person vantage point looking in any direction. The technology also allows for more practical opportunities in teaching athletes decision-making skills in the context of real play.
John Carlson had this reaction:
Capitals defenseman John Carlson already sees advantages to the technology. “The potential competitive advantage that virtual reality training can give us is huge,” said Carlson. “STRIVR’s experience with football and quarterbacks is exciting for me, because I feel hockey defensemen and quarterbacks go through a similar decision-making process. The virtual reality technology is going to help me fine tune my decision making in games and allow me to train as if I’m at practice without having to be on the ice.”
I can’t wait to see what it looks like.
Here’s a video of how the technology is already making an impact in football:
