This offseason has seen plenty of advancements in helmet technology used in practices, but the NCAA will not allow helmet cams to be used in the field of play this season. A request by the ACC to be able to use enhanced helmets with video cameras and radio communication capabilities was rejected by the NCAA for the upcoming season.
Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com reports the NCAA’s decision was based more on timing than anything else. Per Dodd, the ACC made a request to allow for technological enhanced helmets to be used by ACC programs this season in June. That did not allow the rules committee enough time to properly evaluate the request, but given the improving helmet developments being made it would not be a shock to see a different decision made in the following year with more time to review the proposal.
This spring Clemson quarterbacks were equipped with helmets with a special camera lens. The video footage allows players and coaches a new way to break down film by being able to see exactly what is in the quarterback’s view. As with most technology though, it is still relatively unknown what kinds of risks can be associated with the equipment when put in the game atmosphere.
The good news is the NCAA will allow schools to make use of biometric systems. That was less of a hurdle to being approved.
“It’s allowed [in games by the NCAA] anyway,” said Doug Rhodes, ACC coordinator of officials, in Dodd’s story. “It’s never been formalized. You can use it in practice all along. It’s always been fuzzy about the game.”
