The sports analyst no longer relies solely on video and the whiteboard. 3D technology allows recreating plays, studying shooting angles, or simulating tactical formations with physical models. For example, a basketball team can print a scale court to analyze player trajectories. Programs like Blender or Fusion 360 facilitate the creation of these prototypes.
Tactical modeling with open-source software 🏀
For detailed analysis, the workflow begins by capturing motion data with systems like Kinect or high-speed cameras. That data is imported into Blender, where a 3D model of the play is generated. Then, it is printed in PLA filament to obtain a physical mockup. Tools like FreeCAD or MeshLab allow adjusting millimeter precision, key for studying offsides or fouls in the area.
The day I printed a penalty and almost cried 😅
The theory sounds great until your printer decides to fail just as you're modeling the striker's leg. You end up with a footballer with a foot the size of a microwave and a headless referee. But hey, at least the rest of the team could see that, in that play, the ball was never going in. 3D technology doesn't fail; it just suggests your striker needs a prosthetic.