Eagles rookie Blake Countess using helmet cam in training camp
Read about the latest sports tech news, innovations, ideas and products that impact players, fans and the sports industry at SportTechie.com.
The Philadelphia Eagles are offering players a new perspective in training camp with helmet cams. CBS Philly reported last week that rookie defensive back Blake Countess was sporting a camera on his helmet to better understand and improve his game
• Get the latest sports tech news in your inbox
The camera is small and attaches to the upper left side of the player’s helmet. When reviewing the footage taken by the helmet cam, players and coaches can better understand where the player was actually looking.
“Just seeing where I’m looking at and being more disciplined with my eyes,” Countess told CBS Philly about the importance of the camera. “Throughout the play, if your eyes are bad, you’re probably going to get beat, especially as a defensive back.”
Coach Doug Pederson said that the cameras also give a new vantage point for coaches to help players improve. “Are they in the right direction?” he said. “Are they on the right reads? And then you can evaluate and help correct the player.”
During the Eagles training camp Countess was the only one currently sporting a head camera, but there are plans to give cameras to receivers and quarterbacks.
The helmet cams have been a growing trend across football, with more NFL teams adopting them during non-contact practices. Pederson first experienced helmet cams as the offensive coordinator in Kansas City. NCAA teams like Washington, Clemson and LSU have also used the cameras.
These types of head cameras have been evolving for years. In 2014 Sports Video Innovations created a camera that is very small and built into the front of a helmet instead of sticking out to the side or falling off the helmet entirely. Those head cams are also safe for contact and game use. Many teams have been adopting this style of camera for player improvement, but they are also being used to broadcast during games so fans can see the player’s point of view.
With more innovations occurring—like new mounting, better video quality and more video storage—we will likely start seeing more views from the players during broadcasts.
