Tackling Dummy Display for Form Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In athletic training, improper techniques can lead to reduced performance and increased injury risk, particularly in sports like football where head or neck injuries can occur due to inadequate tackling form, and there is a need for methods to improve player awareness and technique during interactions with equipment or other players.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a display coupled to athletic equipment or a person, which depicts symbols at the time of interaction, providing feedback on player identification to assess proper technique, using sensors, processors, and handheld devices to record and compare player inputs with the depicted symbols, informing coaches of potential technique issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a player uses traditional tackling training without visual feedback, then the training is simple and easy to perform, but the player cannot maintain proper head-up form and technique
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by displaying visual symbols on a device attached to the tackling dummy that are visible only when the player maintains proper head-up form. This immediate visual feedback reinforces correct technique during training, ensuring reliability of proper form without requiring complex external monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The training system uses self-service by making the feedback mechanism self-regulating. The display automatically shows or hides symbols based on the player's head position relative to the dummy, eliminating the need for external coaches or devices to monitor and correct form continuously.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a player keeps their head up during tackling to avoid injury, then player safety is improved, but the player cannot see training symbols displayed on the equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by adding a vertical dimension to the display system. Symbols are displayed at multiple heights on the tackling dummy, with higher symbols visible only when the player maintains proper head-up form. This dimensional arrangement ensures that safe form (head up) and information access (seeing symbols) are aligned rather than contradictory.
3Measurement precision
If coaches manually observe and provide feedback on player technique, then detailed instruction is possible, but time is lost and consistency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual coach observation with an automated electronic display system. The display automatically provides precise visual feedback about form correctness without requiring coach intervention, eliminating time loss to manual assessment while maintaining or improving measurement precision through consistent, objective visual cues.
Data Source
AI summary
Training accessories and methods for improving athletic techniques, such as, for example, tackling form for football. A display can be coupled to a piece of athletic equipment, such as a tackling dummy, and the display depicts a symbol at a time at which a player is or is about to interact with the equipment or perform a movement or action. An input is provided of the player's identification of the depicted symbol and compared to the symbol that was actually depicted. The player's correct identification of the depicted symbol can indicate that the player performed the movement or action, or the interaction with the equipment, with appropriate form. A player's failure to correctly identify the depicted symbol can indicate to a coach that the player may need further instruction on proper technique or form with which the movement or action, or the interaction with the equipment, should be performed.