Influencer Strategy

At first, I thought my Innovative Proposal was going to be the purchase of a virtual reality football simulator for the UCLA Football program. That was accomplished; the million dollar project was approved and construction has begun. The initial plan was to implement the product as part of the team's training protocol, which I am sure is going to happen. My personal issue is that I will not be a part of the implementation because I am no longer a member of the UCLA Football staff. As seen in my Learning Manifesto, I believe that education is all about the experience of the process, so I will go about this project as though I am actually going through with the plan.

Now diving deeper into the EDLD program, I am realizing that just purchasing and implementing the virtual reality system is not sufficient enough. What is needed is a way to create a tangible and achievable goal with steps to attain sustainable change in the way programs operate in terms off-season training in a sport that stays ahead of technology, but also has agrarian tendencies when it comes to tradition and doing things the way they have always been done.

The position in football that can benefit the most with virtual reality training is the quarterback. That position requires an extensive amount of repetitions to become proficient. The quarterback needs to know what everyone is doing on every play, both offensively and defensively. They must be able to to match physical ability with strategic knowledge, mental toughness, reaction, spatial awareness, and a sense of urgency. That list does not include some of the duties assigned to quarterbacks like being a team leader or achieving in the classroom as a student-athlete, but that is a different discussion. One of the immediate outcomes at the player level is for each quarterback in the program to take 3000 more full-play quality repetitions in one calendar year using virtual reality during the various off-season blocks of time. The term "quality repetition" is being used in this instance to define a rep that is spatially and systematically accurate so that it may translate onto the physical field of play. However, in order to achieve this goal, the impetus is going to have to start with a programmatic change in the way the coaches go about training.

Desired Results

The desired result is for the coaching staff to adopt a sustainable training model that incorporates a virtual reality football simulator, encouraging personal growth and intrinsic motivation to advance player performance and team achievement.

Vital Behaviors

Coaches must believe in the effectiveness of increasing player repetitions while reducing the physical strain of on-field training, as provided using virtual training.

Coaches and staff will consistently work to make the programming as accurate as possible to game and practice situations, increasing trust in the in the system by both staff and players.

Players and staff must work together to make sure the virtual reality modules translate to on-field performance.

Personal Motivation

Use of simulator will increase training reps of the position groups while limiting physical output
Use of cutting-edge technology, enhancing professional growth and aiding recruiting
Position group will have the ability to train on their own time without supervision

Personal Ability

Demonstration of positional and unit strategy through simulation assuring spatial and schematic accuracy
Training available for coaches for both the use and the development of the technology
Feedback provided by players displaying increased knowledge of scheme and procedures

Social Motivation

Demonstration during staff meeting displaying positional or unit strategy to position coaches and coordinators
Evaluation of student-athlete improvement through assessment
Account recommendations and praise provided by the players using the VR simulator

Social Ability

Offensive coaches meet with defensive coaches and vice versa to show how they will be using the technology for their unit
Developers and coaches provide each other feedback or questions

Structural Motivation

Practice the growth mindset, advocating that effort will increase performance
Clear expectation that advanced technology along with the use of the VR football simulator is part of the progressive culture of the program
Encourage buy-in from both players and staff to get better

Structural Ability

Troubleshooting to be provided by programmers, along with training of the Video Coordinator, IT, Operations, and Graduate Assistants
Continued study of how other programs may be using the technology
Facility use available throughout the day, between classes and meetings

Sources of Influence

References:

Grenny, J., Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2013). Influencer: The new science of leading change. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.

PHIL MAGBANUA