Abstract: POV Sports is an interactive video player that allows basketball teams to better analyze their practice footage. It was created using the Processing programming language. The name POV Sports was inspired by the dynamic nature of this project as well as the inclusion of “point-of-view” shots. The interface contains four synced-up shots. The user has the ability to cycle through each one. All shots are shown as thumbnails below the main window where the selected shot is enlarged. Users can rewind, play, pause, and fast-forward through the footage at their discretion. Additional features such as a progress bar, slow motion, and zooming in are available as well. Two players are each equipped with a GoPro camera, providing two point-of-view shots. A camera is placed on top of each backboard, providing a unique over-the-top view of each half of the court. Another camera captures the standard full-court view seen on television broadcasts. After a practice session is recorded, the footage is synced and uploaded to the POV Sports Video Player.
Non-professional basketball teams have limited access to video technology to evaluate and improve their performance. Quality game footage can come at a steep price. Even if their games are recorded, it might take several days for a coach to get access to the video footage. How can non-professional basketball teams use video technology to evaluate and improve their performance? POV Sports was conceived for the purpose of answering this question. Teams that cannot secure quality game footage can record their practice sessions to evaluate and improve their performance. Teams will often play a full-speed scrimmage during
practice. This will consist of the five starting players competing against five teammates, who played the role of the “scout team.” The scout team is tasked with imitating the opposing team’s habits and playing style. Gathering footage of this “simulated game” provides a great opportunity for the team to evaluate and improve their performance using the POV Sports Video Player.
The POV Sports Project offers a unique and never-before-seen viewing experience. The interface contains features that are not available on other video playback applications. It gives the user full control of their viewing experience. POV Sports has the potential to make a tremendous impact on non-professional basketball teams. All coaches who participated in the user testing preferred POV Sports to their primary video resources. One coach commented on how POV Sports would encourage him to restructure practice sessions to maximize the technology. Another coach believes all non-professional basketball teams will eventually utilize POV Sports as a resource.
