As our technological capabilities advance, new methods of optimising human performance emerge. One of these methods is VR, which has become an invaluable risk-free training tool for elite athletes across the globe.
One of the world’s leading VR training tools is offered by Norwegian software company Be Your Best. Since 2022, the app has been available to the public across several models of the Meta Quest VR headsets.
Be Your Best offers football players, from grassroots to elite, the resources to improve their game. Unlike traditional training methods, VR training tools such as this come with little to no risk of injury.
Be Your Best has been utilised by over 15,000 athletes across 99 countries who have completed over one million training sessions and engaged with more than six million unique real-life scenarios.
The company’s vision is to use the cutting-edge technology available to them to set the standard for cognitive and mental improvement in sport. In doing so, they hope to accomplish their mission of enabling athletes, especially footballers, to push new boundaries and reach their full potential.
Core specialisations and services
Football players seeking to elevate their game through Be Your Best’s services require a Meta Quest VR headset and a Be Your Best subscription. With these in hand, they can begin to sharpen their on-field game intelligence through the software’s two main training modes, Matchplay and scenarios. Both training modes provide a first-person perspective as the player to closely simulate real-life scenarios.
The Scenarios mode offers thousands of unique scenarios that are recreated from events in real-life professional games. This enables Be Your Best users to condition their minds to perform in the same fast-paced, high-pressure environments as elite-level players.
This mode focuses mainly on improving scanning ability. This encompasses scan rate, scan timing, and critical scans, which is the last scan a player makes as the ball is travelling in their direction. In addition, Be Your Best also helps players to master their memory, game awareness, and decision-making skills.
The Matchplay mode, powered by AI, allows users to partake in 11-a-side games from the perspective of one of the players. This feature strengthens overall positional awareness as it allows for complete control of the virtual player, both on and off the ball.
Following each session, Be Your Best users receive in-depth performance metrics and replays with analysis tools via the app. This allows players to keep track of their progress and find new ways to improve.
Be Your Best in the Australian football landscape
Be Your Best’s services are applied by thousands of players and clubs around the world. This includes prominent clubs like FC Copenhagen, Borussia Dortmund, and Red Bull Salzburg, as well as high-profile players such as Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard.
Given its status as a proven tool for improving several aspects of footballing performance, Be Your Best should be considered by Australian players at all levels – from grassroots to professional.
Those at the grassroots level would learn key skills at a young age and continue sharpening their tools as they progress through the levels of competition. On the other hand, those who have already reached the highest level of Australian football can perfect their technique without the risk of injury.
Through the incorporation of the VR drills offered by Be Your Best, Australian players can optimise their individual performance and strengthen the country’s standard of football.
Conclusion
Be Your Best’s VR technology is revolutionising the way players are developed. Its accessible, data-driven approach enables players to train smarter and master the hardest on-field intelligence skills in football.
Software companies such as Be Your Best could play a crucial role in developing a more competitive football culture in Australia and closing the gap between domestic and international football.
Overall, the use of such VR technology provides an injury-free method for the short and long-term growth of players and the sport itself.
