TECHNOLOGY
COACHCOMM TEMPO GO
The Ultimate Game-Preparation Tool BY DAN GUTTENPLAN
The CoachComm Tempo GO provides a proven D1 practice workflow to help coaches run efficient, scripted practices for any size team. Coaches gain the ability to play music, sounds, and control segments with play clocks so that their practices always stay on schedule.
R
ecently retired North Forney High
(Texas) head coach Randy Jackson has a new mission. The 54-year-old wants to spend the rest of his career serving as a coach for coaches. The CoachComm Tempo GO is a part of that mission. Through his new business, Elite Coaches’ Mastermind, Jackson shares with coaches his experience of using the CoachComm Tempo GO in practices. “My whole mission in life is to coach coaches,” Jackson said. “The Tempo GO is a piece of that.” Jackson used the Tempo GO during practices for four seasons at North Forney. He was inspired to purchase the product for his program after visiting several college practices and seeing the efficient way in which they operate. “Success leaves clues,” Jackson said. “We try to replicate what winners do. When you visit colleges and they have these huge systems, you’re envious when you think about how much better your practices can be.” Once CoachComm released the Tempo GO at an affordable price point for high school programs, Jackson called the purchase “a no-brainer.” He started scripting practices in two-minute segments. “A lot of people practice in 20-minute segments,” Jackson said. “Most people practice the exact opposite of how games work. Everything we do prepares us for the game. The game is
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CoachComm Tempo GO Mobile and affordable practice management
COACHCOMM.COM/TEMPO-GO 1-800-749-2761
A SECOND HALF SPARK JACKSON BELIEVES THE MOST
crucial part of any high school football game is the first four minutes after halftime. For that reason, he spent 11 minutes of practice time mocking the transition from halftime to the second half. That included a five-minute halftime break, a one-minute warmup, a kickoff, and four minutes of offense vs. defense. “That was so much easier using Tempo GO,” Jackson said. “I think every coach should do the same 11 minutes. It’s hard with a traditional segment timer. The Tempo GO allows you to take those creative ideas and put them into practice.”
ebbs and flows. The offense is out for two minutes, the defense is out for two minutes, the kicking team is out for a play. The Tempo GO allows teams to practice that way.” Jackson also found that playing music through the Tempo GO helped lift his players’ energy levels during morning practices. “Everything in sports progresses,” Jackson said. “It’s scientifically proven that music increases energy levels by 7 percent. Any coach who is still practicing the way you practiced in high school ought to rethink that. Periods are shorter, and there are more transitions. Offenses and defenses are different than they were 15 years ago. Why are you practicing the same way?” According to Jackson, the rhythm of North Forney’s scripted practices became ingrained in his players’ collective DNA. For instance, every time players were given a 1-minute period to transition to a new segment, the song, “I Like to Move It,” by Reel to Real, started playing. Players moved to a new station in unison. “They know when they hear that song, it’s time to move it,” Jackson said. “You can put in crowd noise. The head coach can stop it remotely and speak through the speakers. I’m an outsidethe-box, creative thinker, and this allows you to go wherever you want to go with practice. “If I get back into coaching, a Tempo Go will be a non-negotiable ‘must have’ to coach there.”
