In the last eight months, the USC coaching staff, led by head strength and conditioning coach Ivan Lewis, has implemented a high-tech measuring system which allows coaches to gather new information on their players in real-time. The Catapult training program assesses 10 different variables, including high-intensity accelerations and decelerations, total yards, speed and intensity of total yards as well as collisions.
"It's about working harder and smarter," explained Coach Lewis. "We're gathering as much information as possible on our players to really prevent soft-tissue injuries. Through that data, we can help the position coaches, help myself and help Coach Sark get a better vibe and feel of this team."
In order to obtain the measurements, players are fitted with a small vest that sits unnoticed underneath their shoulder pads. A small tracking unit, no larger than a hockey puck, is attached to the back of each vest. USC started the tracking program during bowl practice in 2014 and will continue to collect data in both practices and games this fall.
"It's really useful," head coach Steve Sarkisian said. "As you start getting this data, you start seeing what the specific player's workload is, what their intensity is, how many miles they're actually running in practice. It's my job to make sure we're not overworking them and that we're giving them enough rest."
A unique aspect of the program is its ability to measure collisions - information that's critical for both offensive and defensive linemen as well as running backs and tacklers. Any hit sustained by a player registers a shock on the tracking unit. The coaching staff pays attention to high-intensity collisions to see how many hits players are taking each practice and game, which allows them to monitor for concussions.
"We feel really good about it and how we're going to implement it," Lewis said. "It's something that we're in the early phases of, but we've got all the confidence in the world that we're going to be one of the best in the country to use it."
