Designed to reduce player-on-player contact and the overall incidence of injuries suffered during football practices, the Mobile Virtual Player (MVP) also aims to improve player performance and technique by replicating in-game experiences.

According to Dartmouth football, the team saw a significant reduction in concussions in the first two years where MVP's robotic tackling dummies were implemented into practice, and during the 2018 season, 21 out of 22 starters played in every game, leading Dartmouth to a 9-1 season.

Recently, the drill capabilities of the MVP|SPRINT were demonstrated at U.S. National Team High School Training Camp in Ohio.

Below are several drills to consider when using the MVP|SPRINT that coaches can utilize to build better defenses.

RELATED CONTENT: Mobile Virtual Player (MVP) Becomes USA Football’s Preferred Tackling Equipment Partner

RELATED CONTENT: Mobile Virtual Player (MVP): Offensive Drill Series

MVP Angle Tackle

Skills Trained:

• Pursuit angles
• Tackling form

Drill Description:

• Player lines up 10 yards away from MVP|SPRINT
• The MVP will then pick a direction
• Player must react, take an appropriate angle and finish with a tackle

 

 

MVP Straight On, Tackle

Skills Trained:

• Reaction
• Tackling form
• Appropriate angles

Drill Description:

• Player lines up 10 yards across from the MVP|SPRINT
• MVP will then drive straight at the player
• MVP will then cut either left or right
• Player must react, closing the space between himself/herself and MVP, and finish with a tackle

MVP Shuffle, Shed, Tackle

Skills Trained:

• Reaction
• Shedding blocks
• Tackling form
• Maintaining leverage

Drill Description:

• Player lines up directly across from another player or coach
• The coach or other player will then engage as if they were blocking the player in the drill
• Player will work to shuffle laterally, maintaining leverage on the MVP|SPRINT (ball carrier), react, shed block (rip, swim, etc.) and make the tackle on the MVP

MVP Split Coverage

Skills Trained:

• Back pedal
• Zone coverage technique
• Reading the QB
• Tackling form

Drill Description:

• Player lines up, splitting the difference between two MVP|SPRINTS
• MVPs will run verticals or another desired route combination
• Player will work on coverage technique, splitting the difference between the two MVPs
• As the player drops back, he/she should be reading and reacting to the QB, finishing with an interception or tackle

Full Defense Pursuit 

Skills Trained:

• Pursuit angles
• Conditioning

Drill Description:

• Line up full defense in pre-snap positions, placing a MVP on each sideline
• Coach acts as QB: goes through cadence, drops back, throws towards either of the sidelines (simulating swing pass, sweep, reverse, etc.)
• Following the pass, the MVP on the chosen side will then begin streaking up the sideline
• Defense must react to the chosen side, take appropriate angle and tag off on the MVP

 

The MVP|SPRINT will begin shipping in August for the 2019 season and is now available for order. Reserve yours today with a $350 down payment. For more information on MVP, visit www.mvpdummy.com.