Helmet cameras are further developing Virginia football’s quarterbacks
With each video recording, quarterback Tony Muskett, his teammates, and coaches have the opportunity to gain insights from his perspective.
Virginia’s football program took a new approach this spring by installing cameras above the quarterbacks’ facemasks, providing a unique vantage point for 14 practices and the annual Blue-White scrimmage.
According to Cavaliers quarterbacks coach Taylor Lamb, this setup allows them to observe Tony’s eye movements during progressions and gain valuable insight into his decision-making process. Muskett added that the video recordings also benefit the receivers by helping them understand the quarterbacks’ throwing progressions.
“Say we’re, one, throwing a speed out to the field,” Muskett continued, “and then we’re coming back to a basic to a shallow to a backside dig, the receivers can see where our eyes are, what the timing is supposed to look like and where their landmarks are. So, it’s good for them to be able to see the perspective of the quarterback and understand the whole scheme of the offense better, too.”
Muskett, who is embarking on his second season at UVa following his transfer from FCS Monmouth, expressed that he had never had access to this type of footage prior to the spring.
He mentioned that he frequently reviewed the helmet-camera recordings after practices, emphasizing that while the end-zone view film has been available, it does not offer the quarterback’s perspective.
Despite still watching the wide view, he now makes a point to review the quarterback view for every play to gain a second look at what he was seeing during the game.
“So, it really isn’t just something we do just to say we’re doing it,” Muskett said. “I used it every single day in spring ball and I expect to use it every single day in [training] camp, too, and I expect to keep getting better from it.”
The concept of using a helmet camera was initially suggested by Lamb during the winter, inspired by the Miami Dolphins’ practice of having their quarterbacks, including star QB Tua Tagovailoa, wear a GoPro on their helmets as revealed on HBO’s Hard Knocks. Subsequently, Lamb approached the longstanding Cavaliers video coordinator, Luke Goldstein, to explore the possibility of implementing a similar approach with Muskett and Colandrea.
Goldstein expressed his excitement about trying something innovative but acknowledged the need to conduct thorough research on how to proceed.
“And we’re always trying to do whatever these guys want to do as far as video goes,” Goldstein said, “and what we can do to help them. If they see something, we’re going to try to help them out and do it and that’s why we’re here.”
In previous years, the Cavaliers had experimented with a similar camera setup. Goldstein mentioned that during a few seasons when Bronco Mendenhall was the coach, he attached a GoPro to an eight-foot pole and positioned himself around 10 yards behind the quarterback. This setup allowed him to manually adjust the camera’s position to capture the quarterback’s perspective when they turned.
However, there have been significant advancements in video technology since then. Goldstein explained that the camera model, known as the Go360, is now affixed to the helmets of Muskett and Colandrea with zipties and magnets.
In the process of implementing this new setup, Goldstein consulted other video coordinators in the ACC to gather insights on the best practices. One coordinator shared that their school had successfully utilized the Go360 for a similar purpose.
Furthermore, the Go360 camera also incorporates audio, which, as noted by Lamb, adds another valuable dimension to the instructional content provided by the footage.
“There’s the communication part,” Lamb said, “and we can sit in there in the staff meeting where before it was, ‘Did the quarterback call the right play? Did the O-Line have any idea?’ Before that was a question, but now it’s like, ‘Let’s go to the helmet cam and see what these guys are talking about.’ So, you can also listen to your cadence and you can listen to pre-snap communication with the O-Line and quarterback.”
Muskett mentioned that having the audio of each play available during film sessions has facilitated a better understanding and communication of the Cavaliers’ expectations for their quarterbacks. According to Goldstein, the inclusion of audio in the footage provides an added benefit beyond just video content. It allows the players to hear the calls, observe the interactions inside the huddle, and gain insight into the quarterbacks’ perspectives.
The camera, positioned above the center’s position, captures the quarterback’s movements and reads, offering a unique viewpoint.
Muskett highlighted the advantages of this setup, explaining that it provides a true “eye in the sky” for the quarterbacks, allowing Coach Lamb to closely follow their decision-making process and communication on the field. He emphasized the value of being able to show Coach Lamb exactly what they see and the thought process behind their actions.
Lamb also highlighted how the younger and less experienced quarterbacks on the team can benefit from reviewing the experiences of Muskett and Colandrea during practice sessions. The plan is to continue using the Go360 camera during August preseason practices and regular-season drills, with the aim of helping the quarterbacks make split-second decisions and improve their communication.
Overall, the use of helmet cameras not only benefits the quarterbacks but also has the potential to aid other players and coaches in understanding the on-field dynamics and communication.
Muskett expressed his anticipation that reviewing practice footage from his own viewpoint would better prepare him and Colandrea for opposing defenses during game days. He also acknowledged the potential for this technology to help reduce turnovers, which were a concern during the previous season.
“Both of those individuals concluded the spring season on a positive note,” Lamb remarked. “They have both met our physical demands and have been proactive in leading the team during the summer, particularly in skills and drills. Both of them are in the ideal physical and mental condition we expect. Now, we just need to proceed to the fall camp and see how things unfold.”
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