Michigan basketball....Catapult

Submitted by wisecrakker on January 23rd, 2019 at 10:43 AM

I have seen this discussed on the Board but there a number of M teams utilizing this new technology.  First I heard about it was last year and its really quite fascinating when combined with the shooting arc device they employ in practice as well.

Take notice next time watching them of the small bump just below the rear collar between their shoulder blades.

https://www.mlive.com/wolverines/index.ssf/2018/01/a_tiny_wearable_device_is_a_ga.html

The Catapult device tracks movement in three dimensions: forward/backward, sideways, and vertically. It has an accelerometer that captures sudden bursts hundreds of times per second. Catapult's most important output is a proprietary measure called PlayerLoad. It is a single number that measures exertion, not dependent on distance, The Catapult device tracks movement in three dimensions: forward/backward, sideways, and vertically. It has an accelerometer that captures sudden bursts hundreds of times per second. Catapult's most important output is a proprietary measure called PlayerLoad. It is a single number that measures exertion, not dependent on distance.

 

S.G. Rice

January 23rd, 2019 at 11:30 AM ^

Every now and again you come across a thread title that is such a head scratcher that you click on it even though you have zero expectations that it will be worthwhile to do so.  Nice work OP.

Also:  I will not believe in the catapult until there is an informercial on ESPN starring the basketball equivalent of Fred McGriff.

Joined: 07/18/2008

MGoPoints: 22934

Bb011

January 23rd, 2019 at 12:14 PM ^

I don’t believe you mentioned it so I’ll be the first to ask, what is Catapult's most important output and in what dimensions does it track movement? 

Joined: 09/02/2010

MGoPoints: 4721

stephenrjking

January 23rd, 2019 at 1:48 PM ^

The article is a year old. It's interesting stuff. There are things you can measure that affect performance. This is a big deal in cycling, where heartrate monitors and cycling computers are giving riders a much more accurate picture of how many watts they are producing and how many they should be capable of. On the upside, they've gotten better at measuring their efforts; on the downside, riders are much less likely to "crack" and lose serious time.

I think the more interesting technology is the stuff that measures shot trajectories. If they can figure out a way to give players a better picture of how they are taking shots, there could be real room for improvement in shooting percentages. 

Joined: 03/15/2012

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