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UA athletes used to spend time at home training themselves on video games.

Now, technology similar to what is used in video games will be training them.

It is called SportMotion. It is a system purchased by the University of Arizona around March from Florida-based XOS Technologies to improve areas such as strength and conditioning, performance, tactics and communication.

The UA is the first organization in the country to use the system, and the $325,000 price tag is not a concern, according to Erick Harper, UA director of football operations.

"We think it'll have a big impact," Harper said.

Other sports, including basketball, baseball, softball and golf, eventually will be able to benefit as well.

The system is to be installed in an as-yet-undetermined site in McKale Center by mid-June. It will utilize cameras, monitors and hardware to create accurate 3D computer animations of athletes, according to XOS's Web site.

The idea is similar to a basketball player being form-fitted with an outfit with sensors to capture precise movements for a video game, such as "NBA Jam," said Albert Tsai, XOS's vice president of advanced research and development.

A simulator included in the system will let players physically perform in a computer generated video game-like environment; like the virtual reality used in military training, Tsai said.

For instance, a quarterback wearing the system's virtual reality goggles will be able to practice his three-step drop while making adjustments against an opponent's three-dimensional defense.

The system will not take away from studying film, but it will let athletes practice techniques on their own without having the rest of the team present, Harper said. A coach can save the session clips and create a progress report.

The system also hopes to help bridge the communication gap between players and coaches, giving a visual representation to draw upon for suggestions, said Rick Lewis, XOS product marketing manager.

"It's this huge communication tool," he said.

Athletes in other sports can benefit in similar ways, and some are already familiar with the technology.

UA softball pitchers Taryne Mowatt and Alicia Hollowell said they have used similar systems and that it will be a benefit.

"It's helpful," Mowatt said.

Softball coach Mike Candrea said the system will help his team during the off-season. One topic Candrea said he was especially interested in was where a hitter's eyes were when she makes contact with the softball.

But Candrea was cautious of too much technology overflowing into sports.

"Pretty soon you got mechanical robots out there playing the game," he said.