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Australian
Sporting
Innovations

Developers of the Total Reaction Screen

Australian Sporting Innovations was founded with the purpose of creating products to improve the inherent athleticism of individuals and groups across all walks of life. ASI's primary product is the Total Reaction Screen, or TRS.

Introducing the Total Reaction Screen

A Total Reaction Screen (or TRS) is a system incorporating a frame from which strips of material hang to form an apparently solid screen wall. The screen is designed to allow the screen to part and allow an object contacting the screen to pass through the screen. This allows participants on either side of the screen, for example, to throw, pass, hit or kick the object to each other through or under the screen. The object is only sighted once it comes through or under the screen thus reducing the time the receiving participant has to respond to and react.

Three pillars of the TRS

Medical

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The TRS system has potential use in medicine as a tool for physical testing and rehabilitation.

Sports

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The TRS primarily excels in reaction training for a wide range of sports and general physical training.

Government

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The TRS also has potential with police or armed forces as a reaction training aid.

From the outset the Total Reaction Screen system was designed to enhance and improve the sporting ability of athletes. Throughout development though, it became apparent that the screens would have a much wider range of uses than was originally envisaged.

Trialling of the screens as a medical rehabilitation tool for assistance in the motor skills of stroke victims is one of the identified areas of potential usage. Additionally there is potential in the improvement of reaction skills for armed forces, security services and law enforcement. An assessment regimen for this usage is currently undergoing preparation. It is anticipated that there are many more screen usages than those already identified.

TRS System

The Total Reaction Screen (TRS) has many uses and applications. In essence, participants stand either side of the TRS. Each participant is faced with the screen which appears as a continuous screen wall. The screen is designed to separate on an object coming into contact with it so that the screen will part and allow the object to pass through to the other side.

One participant throws, passes, bowls, hits or kicks an object through or under the screen to the participant on the other side. The receiving participant is aware that the object is coming but the first the participant sees of the object is when the screen parts and the object appears through or comes under the screen. This reduces the time that the receiving participant has to respond and react and deal with the object as required in the training drill.

The overall result is that use of the screen results in improvement in participant's concentration, focus, awareness, co-ordination, response time and reaction speed. These improvements collectively take the participants to a higher skill level.

The Total Reaction Screen is specifically designed to take athletes outside of their "Comfort Zone." It is a training aid intended to produce artificial pressured environments that require game related skills to be performed at a higher level or standard. Use of the Total Reaction Screen produces an environment which places users in situations where they will learn, use, practice, correct and refine their skills.

Users of the system will achieve greater anticipation, response and reaction improvement with resultant decision making qualities necessary to automatically perform at a higher level.

Please Contact Us regarding further details about the TRS.

Video Gallery

Lincoln FC, UK

In the videos below, Lincoln football club goal keeping coach Jimmy Walker puts junior Goal-keeper Mike Antkowiak through his paces using the TRS.

 

Ellesmere College, Leicester, UK

Rugby Training, UK

England under 18 fullback Tom Walker practicing with the TRS.

 

Leicester County Cricket, UK, Slips

Former England wicket keeper and now Head Coach for Leicester County Cricket Paul Nixon, puts his squad through slips fielding practice using the Total Reaction Screen.

Regional Juniors at Stamford Football Academy, UK

Ipswich Goalkeeping Coach Jimmy Walker takes a junior goalkeeping squad through a series of drills using the Total Reaction Screen.

 

St Brendans, Yeppoon, Australia Rugby League

 

David Waite explains the benefits of using the TRS

David Waite's CV
First Grade Playing Career Position: Winger
Playing for:
Wests Wollongong
Cronulla Sutherland
Western Suburbs
Representative Career
1973, NSW Country Firsts
1973 - 74, NSW
1973 - 74, Australia

Coaching Career
1984 - 86, Australian Schoolboys (Undefeated)
1985 - 87, Canterbury Under 23s
1988 - 91, Newcastle Reserve Grade
1991 - 94, Newcastle First Grade
1996 - 2000, St George First Grade
2000 - Coaching Co-ordinator - English Rugby Football League
2001 - 2003, Great Britain International Team
> 2006, The England Academy and Catalan Dragons

 

Junior Cricket Demonstration, Gold Coast, Australia

 

Ipswich FC, UK

Coach Jimmy Walker takes the Ipswich squad through a series of drills using the TRS.

 

The TRS in Action: Drills at the Runaway Bay Football Club

Example Renders

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Imagine you are a soccer goalie defending your goal. All you can see is a screen, yet you are aware a player on the other side is about to kick the ball at the goal. You know it's coming but you don't know where it will be directed or how it will be kicked. You are concentrating at a level you never have before. You are up on your toes in anticipation and in preparation to dive and deflect the ball past the goal. You know your response and reaction time has to be quicker than it has ever been because you will not sight the ball until it breaks through the screen. What is obvious is that if you can successfully defend in this situation then your skills are going to be enhanced to a level that you will be a better defender on the field when it counts. This is the edge that wins the matches.

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0:20

This example demonstrates the application for the Baseball Pitcher and Batter. Again, there is the creation of a training situation outside the participant's normal comfort zone. The result is a pitcher who can confirm his ability to hit a spot part way to the batsmen by noting the spot (target area) where the ball contacts the screen and, a batsman who, by hitting the ball, has honed his response and reaction time to the point that, at game time, will give him the superior batting edge required to win the game.

A similar concept with identical benefits applies to other sports through the use of the Total Reaction Screen as a training aid.

Photo Gallery

asi-cricket-centre

Total Reaction Screen set up at Australian Cricket Centre, Brisbane.

ellesmere-college-practice

School children at Ellesmere College at Leicester practising Football skills using the Total Reaction Screen.


Testimonials & News

As a high-performance Rugby coach, I continually challenge my learning to develop my coaching. Researching literature, studying sport-specific themes and accepting a mentor form part of that learning. Significantly seeking advice from other sport coaches provide an edge to my growth.

Although an experienced high-performance coach, I look to challenge academy coaches and community coaches as custodians of the best young talent. That is, to refine their methods and practices to support the players learning. Of course, refining your environment means having the best tools available.

Total Reaction Screens (TRS) are one such tool and are fantastic to use. Easily moveable and to set up, I was impressed with the application for teaching, adaptation and practicality in the coaching environment. Working closely with TRS operators, I observed the many benefits of the screens. In Rugby, I believe the screen can be used to develop:
  • Peripheral vision, sideways and depth
  • Hand-eye and foot coordination, remedial and correction
  • Balance, for an ensuing action
From experience, the Total Reaction Screens are especially beneficial to the young developing player (5-12 years) to refine their senses to necessary Rugby skills. Therefore, the screen use at the academy and elite level is endless, considering the player’s needs. I may add Total Reaction Screens can be adapted to many sports where coordination, vision and skill enhancement are required. I offer the highest support for Total Reaction Screens.

STEVE J. ANDERSON has qualifications in psychology, sociology, sports management, and high- performance coaching. Steve has worked globally for 30 years in the elite echelons of professional Rugby League and Rugby Union. These appointments include Scottish Rugby Union, Irish Rugby, Warrington Super League in the UK, Rugby Australia, and the Melbourne Storm NRL, among others. Steve built a reputation for remodelling national and provincial clubs utilising coaching and academic insight to develop elite players and coaches.

Steve J. Anderson

Author | High-Performance Coach | Leadership Facilitator

On 1st June 2019 I took my professional record to 11 fights for 11 wins when I won the Pan Pacific Welterweight Championship in Macau. I won the Championship by majority decision however I felt like I fought a completely different fight compared to my other fights.

I had been unable to use the Total Reaction Screen (TRS) for training sessions for the past two fights and I have noticed that my timing and reaction speed has been off. I fought a tough Filipino and I felt like I fought completely differently compared to my other fights. Normally I would see and time the punches coming, but because I had not been using the TRS to assist my focus and timing during training camp, I found the fight a lot harder.

I have now received a new TRS and can’t wait until I set it up again and use it in training for my next fight.

Steven Gago powers on towards World Ranking

Professional Boxer

I have been using the TRS for approximately 2 years, during which time I’ve had 6 professional fights, winning all of them by knockout or technical knock out. There is no doubt that the TRS played a major role in my successes. My sharpness, balance and anticipation levels have improved greatly from the use of the TRS.

The lead up to my last fight in China had been interrupted by not being able to train with the TRS for the last 3 weeks of my preparation.

The TRS was not available due to it’s use in the promotion of another sport.

I won my fight, but it went 10 rounds. There is no doubt in my mind that I was no where near as sharp or focused as I had been in my previous fights.

This has highlighted to me the importance of consistent and regular use of the TRS, to maintain that extra edge needed to be a winner and more confident leading up to and during my fights.

Steven Gago, 15 month update since initial Testimony

Professional Boxer

I have been using the Total Reaction Screen for 9 months now, and I must say this year has probably been the best year of my fighting career. My reaction, speed, and timing have all improved since using the TRS. The reality experienced by using the screen is exactly what you get during a fight. The reaction and response replicates an actual fight.

I have had 2 fights this year after training with the TRS  I out boxed both opponents completely. The last fight my reaction time had improved to the point that my opponent had difficulty landing any punches at all. I was able to counter him with harder and faster shots and able to end the fight very quickly. With the TRS, the best thing about this is that you can use it right up until fight night making you sharper and have no risk of any injuries where in sparring, we have to stop a week or 2 before the fight to prevent getting cut or injured before the fight.

Steven Gago, Initial Testimonial

Professional Boxer

Steven's full testimonial and current list of awards is available by following this link.

Through our head of PE we managed to trial the TRS to a cross section of pupils with complex learning disabilities. The reaction of the students was excellent. Without doubt one could see the immediate benefits enhancing exercise, improving hand eye coordination and motivating students to join in. Overall there was an enjoyment factor.

We are certainly keen to integrate the TRS into our regular programmes at the college. We are also prepared to promote its use with other Special Schools in our region.

Steve White

MBE (Awarded for promotion of Sport and Education in Leicestershire).

Steve's full testimonial is available by following this link.

The TRS shows great potential to a wide range of sports.

We welcome former Olympian Gemma Hadley and Claire Richichi on board. Gemma is a former Australian Water Polo representative and World Championship Silver Medallist. She holds a Masters in Sports Coaching and is Australian Schoolgirls Coach. Claire is a former Australian Hockeyroos Olympic sports physiologist and is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Exercise Physiology with degrees in Bachelor of Science (BSc), Human Movement and First Class Honours in Sports Physiology. She is currently a Sports Physiologist with the Australian Institute of Sport.

Great news to have these ladies in our corner and a great comment from two very highly credentialed sports administrators.

You can read a testimonial from Gemma Hadley by following this link.

Gemma Hadley & Claire Richichi

I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for the provision of the reaction screen at Leicestershire County Cricket Club. The idea of it is superb and something, I believe, the market is lacking. Apart from the skill benefits it provides, it adds to the fun element for the players, which is vital in a long tough year on the County circuit. The fact that it can be used indoors and outdoors adds to its appeal, coupled with the fact that the players can do quality work without the need for a coach to be present. Finally, and most importantly, it provides the ability for players to enhance skills which become transferable to match play, something which is not easily achieved by the vast majority of training aids.

As you know, I have now moved to Sri Lanka as their National Lead Fielding Coach and would welcome the use of the reaction screen here. I have no doubt of its benefits and that it would enhance the level of fielding throughout our pathway. It would make us the first country to use and endorse it as far as I'm aware.

Thank you once again for your valued support.

Nic Pothas

National Lead Fielding Coach,
Sri Lanka Cricket Board

After trialling the Total Reaction System with our 7-11 years old students over a four week period we have seen improvement in concentration and awareness in the throwing and catching skills of the students.

... We were seeing a high percentage of students getting in a set position, with hands out and in a loaded position before the objects were being delivered.

With my extensive involvement in competitive and representative rugby, I see the Total Reaction Screen as a beneficial tool that will help the development of fundamental skills that will lead into continued development in whatever sports path students will take.

Michael Marshall

B.P.E, Dip Ed
Churchlands Primary School, WA

A report regarding the testing of the TRS is available here.

You can read more about Michael's testimonial in this document.

... The TRS has created an innovative and exciting training aid that deals with the real practical world by offering coaches a means of gaining an edge for players who are exposed to a training regime to create a training effect that enhances the performance of skills in game situations.

Rob Langer

B.P.E (UWA), Dip Ed, H/Cert., Offr RAA

You can read the full overview of the Total Reaction Screen by Rob Langer in this report.

Having worked in sports science, medicine and a designer of innovative performance improvement specialised equipment for over 20 years, I consider the reaction screen one of the most important new innovations in sports science and medicine. Its impact on improving sports performance, both team, group and individual, I have seen for many years.

I have personally presented the screen to Premiership football, Rugby Clubs. Also International Rugby Coaches and leading cricketers. All have agreed the potential and benefits of the reaction screen are crucial in today’s sports training conditioning arena.

I believe this innovative product has tremendous potential to change current concepts of game readiness training in many sports but also has ideal applications to be used in Schools and even working with aged people to prevent reaction deterioration and falls.

I highly recommend this product and am privileged to be involved within the project.

Alan Pearson

Managing Director, SAQ International

TRS Frequently Asked Questions

Is the TRS for use by one person or a team?

What sports can the TRS be used for?

Do you make a smaller version for juniors?

How does it benefit?

How long will it take to get results?

How can we gauge improvement?

What is the "Comfort Zone?"

Who decides the drills to be used?

What is the "Optimal Performance Zone?"

Are there models available for personal use?

How big is the Total Reaction Screen?

How much space is needed to use the screen?

Can it be transported easily?

Are the screens only designed for use indoors or can they be used outdoors?

What is the life of the product?

Can the screens or frame be dangerous?

How much does it cost?

Is this an Australian invention?

Are licences available to purchase for manufacture, sale and distribution of the TRS?



What is ASI?

ASI stands for the Australian company, Australian Sporting Innovations Pty Ltd (as Trustee). ASI is the owner of all patents and copyright relating to the Total Reaction Screens.


Who are ASI?

Meet the driving force behind ASI and the Total Reaction Screen (TRS); a team with combined experience of over 60 years in professional sporting activities and business.

Marshall's Portrait

Marshall Fittler - Consultant

Though now in retirement, Marshall spends his time putting back into the community and refining and expanding his sporting inventions.

In his earlier years Marshall played Rugby League to a representative level and he has many years of experience and involvement in sport in general.

He is the primary inventor of the Australian Sporting Innovations array of Screen Trainers. Marsh has previously invented a football (soccer) boot, which he nicknamed "The Sidewinder", because of its capacity to bend the flight of a football. This boot became the precursor to the highly successfully marketed "Predator" boot.

Marshall has been president and chair of various health orientated groups, those being Regional Community Watch, Northern Rivers Health Care and Our Health Association. Marshall is now president of Crackin' Cancer and is in the process of forming another health related organisation with several northern NSW medical specialists, in order to provide medical facilities, improved medical services and improved medical treatments in the north eastern NSW region.

Bill's Portrait

Bill Nosworthy - Director

Over the years Bill has managed his own investment and insurance management business, employing up to 35 staff, before turning to his lifelong passion, sport management and development. For the past 5 1/2 years Bill has been a successful self-employed businessman, living in the western beach suburbs of Perth.

During his sporting career, he played junior representative cricket, won a State gold medal in lifesaving and played representative rugby league. He has played first grade rugby league in Brisbane and played against touring Great Britain, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea teams. He was coach of the Central Queensland Capras against the 1984 touring Great Britain team. He has coached rugby league at club, district and state level, including Queensland state league. He has held the Nationally accredited level 3 coaching certificate, refereeing, strength and conditioning and sports first aid certificates. He has been sports coaching director of a well-known sports specific college in Queensland, and has spent his adult life dedicated to the management and development of sports people.

John's Photo

John McMahon - Director

John has worked for over 40 years as an Electrical contractor/supervisor/auditor on major sites around Australia and presently CEO of an aquatic & electrical company operating in Australia and New Zealand. He is an owner and director of several companies.

John's sporting experience is as a former A grade cricketer, soccer and water polo player for many years, a regional association delegate of Northern New South Wales Soccer, a North Coast Soccer director, a club president, referee, representative level coach and selector and in his later years he was selected to play/ tour in Canada at the World Golden Oldies Soccer Tournament.

John has considerable experience with product design, patents and inventions and is personally the holder of many patents and designs in Australia and Overseas including the range of Snapfix and Powerlock products. For 5 years he was General Manager of Innolink (a Gold Coast based Inventors association operating from Bond University) and was involved for a number of years with Bond University's Mootcorp team to USA.

Paul's Photo

Paul Penridge - Director

Paul is the company secretary. He is a practicing solicitor in Queensland with over 35 years' experience in commercial law. He currently provides consultancy services to McKays Solicitors in the Queensland provincial city of Mackay. He has significant experience as a director of various private companies and a strong background in company advices. He is a currently a Director of a board of a medical practice and, in a consultancy role, has previously provided advices on corporate governance issues to various privately owned companies.

Paul previously played Rugby League to a country representative level before taking an early sporting retirement to further his studies. Whilst he is still an avid follower of League, his sporting interests these days are centred around golf at the Mackay Golf Club where he has provided pro bono legal services for the past 30 years.

Support Team

The directors gratefully acknowledge the support, assistance and contributions made by Craig Gillard (Drafting & Design) and Allan Corkery of Quick Ally (Innovation, Design and Manufacturing) in relation to the company's products.