Never mind keeping an eye on the ball.
Five NFL teams are hoping that having players keep their ear on it will help them keep possession.
According to the Associated Press, the teams are using a new training device which emits a loud beep when it is being held at the five key pressure points, an audible reminder for runners to keep it in the proper position.
”If I had that ball in high school, I don’t think I would’ve had a fumble,” Washington running back Matt Jones said. ”It’s teaching me how to squeeze the ball at the point of contact. Everything has changed about me holding the ball.”
The Cowboys, Colts, Ravens and Buccaneers are also using the prop, developed by Division II Northwood University assistant coach Tom Creguer. The Chargers are going to join the group in training camp.
The “High and Tight” footballs cost $150 each, and Creguer marketed them to teams at the Scouting Combine.
”It basically reinforces the proper hold by teaching the athlete to put their forearm to the panel, their panel to the chest and to compress the ball evenly with equal distribution of pressure, therefore creating basically a vice around the football, creating that muscle memory of what it feels like to have the ball secured to their body at all times,” Creguer said.
Creguer said his team reduced its fumbles by 63 percent in a season of using them, and if any NFL teams have the same kind of results, you’ll likely hear even more beeping around NFL camps soon.