Welcome to the Takedown, the leading source for gridiron news and technology for over 20,000 coaches nationally — by Kerry Carter CEO of Atavus

White Paper Research — Preventing Injury Doesn’t Come at the Cost of High Performance

I'm excited to share with you the latest research findings from our team at Atavus.

We've been working hard to better understand how we can improve both player safety and performance in football through proper tackling technique.

Our goal is to provide you with the tools and knowledge to coach your players to tackle effectively while minimizing the risk of head injuries.

Key Findings:

1. Construct Validity: We identified three distinct phases of tackling: Track, Engage, and Finish. Each phase consists of specific technique elements that contribute to a successful tackle.

2. Head Contact Reduction: Proper execution of the "Engage" phase elements, such as maintaining a stable base, keeping the head up, and leading with the shoulder, significantly reduces the likelihood of head contact during a tackle.

3. Performance Enhancement: Executing the "Finish" phase elements, like wrapping up the ball carrier and driving through the tackle, leads to fewer yards gained after contact (YAC) by the offensive player.

4. Comprehensive Approach: Teaching and reinforcing the entire sequence of tackling elements, from snap to down, results in the greatest improvements in both safety and performance.

Data-Driven Results

Our research demonstrates that by focusing on these key technical elements, you can coach your players to tackle more safely and effectively. We've developed a comprehensive system for teaching and evaluating tackling technique, which we call TacklyticsTM.

This system provides a structured approach to coaching tackling and allows for individual and team performance analysis.

We’re thrilled to finally share just how our technology and product has changed the way programs not only perform but care for players!

Performing at a higher level doesn’t need to come at a cost.

Whether your a high school, college, or professional coach, we’d love to help take your programs and players to the next level.

Take your program to the next level, safely…

What I’m excited about this week…

As a former collegiate and professional athlete, the recent announcement that the NCAA Power 5 conferences have agreed to allow schools to pay players is a monumental step forward.

This change has the potential to reshape the landscape of college sports, ensuring athletes receive the financial recognition they deserve. When I was an athlete, balancing academics and athletics was a constant challenge.

We dedicated countless hours to training, competing, and representing our schools.

This new policy acknowledges the immense value athletes bring to their institutions and provides them with direct compensation that reflects their contributions

NCAA President Charlie Baker's plan includes creating a new subdivision for the wealthiest programs, giving them greater autonomy while requiring a significant investment in educational trust funds.

Specifically, schools will invest at least $30,000 per year into an enhanced educational trust fund for at least half of their athletes. Additionally, schools are allowed to spend up to $20 million annually on athlete compensation. This move not only addresses legal and political pressures but also aligns with the evolving dynamics of college sports.

The introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals has already highlighted the disparities between programs, and this new approach aims to level the playing field. However, this policy also raises important questions and complexities.

How will it interact with the existing NIL initiatives? Will it create further disparities between the wealthiest programs and those with fewer resources?

These are critical considerations that need to be addressed to ensure the policy's success and fairness. The NCAA's decision is a recognition of the need for a more equitable system, where athletes are fairly compensated for their hard work and dedication.

It is also a step towards supporting gender equity, as schools must comply with Title IX regulations when making these investments. Reflecting on my own journey, I see this as a pivotal moment for current and future athletes.

It validates their efforts and provides them with the financial support necessary to succeed both during and after their collegiate careers. This policy not only benefits the athletes but also enhances the overall integrity and sustainability of college sports.

As we move forward, it is crucial to continue advocating for fair treatment and comprehensive support for all student-athletes. This landmark decision is just the beginning of a much-needed transformation in college athletics. We will need to closely monitor its implementation and impact to ensure it truly benefits all athletes

Following the money…

This past month significant investments by various organizations significantly drove up sports technology market future forecasts.

These investments are directed towards adopting the latest technologies for tracking player performance and engaging fans.

Recent collaborations, such as STATS LLC's expanded partnership with the United Soccer League (USL) to provide Opta services, highlight the industry's commitment to leveraging technology for enhancing the sporting experience.

The Smart Stadium segment captured over 54% of the total revenue share in 2023, owing to the numerous benefits offered by smart stadiums, including ticket management, seat upgrades, crowd management, queue reduction, social media updates, Wi-Fi connectivity, food ordering, merchandise sales, smart lighting, integrated security systems, and emergency response management.

Stadiums are undergoing renovations to incorporate these technologies and deliver a holistic event experience.

North America is expected to maintain its dominance in the sports technology market, driven by the presence of leading sports technology companies such as Nike, Under Armour, and Garmin, as well as a strong culture of sports fandom.

However, the Asia Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth due to increasing internet penetration, smartphone usage, and government support for the development and adoption of sports technology solutions.

The sports technology market is segmented by type and technology. Soccer holds the largest revenue share and is projected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period, while the Analytics & Statistics segment is anticipated to witness significant growth due to the valuable insights it provides for performance improvement.

Recent developments in the sports technology market include partnerships, product launches, and technological advancements.

For example, St. Louis CITY SC partnered with Cisco Systems to leverage digital signage, Wi-Fi, security, and networking solutions, while Apple and Fitbit launched new smartwatches with advanced health and fitness features.

The best part, with widespread adoption by consumers taking place, it won’t be long til this technology easily accessible on the gridiron at all levels.

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THAT’S ALL FOR NOW.

Friends, thank you for reading The Takedown, your leading source for gridiron news and technology for over 20,000 coaches nationally. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please consider sharing with a friend. Till next time ✌️