PRACTICE TECH
Maintain Proper Distancing with Coach-to-Player Communication THREE COMPANIES THAT SPECIALIZE IN THE TECH One piece of practice technology that may become more popular at the high school level in the wake of the pandemic is coach-to-player helmet communication. These three companies specialize in products that help foster distancing while coaching and maximize limited practice time. IN-PRACTICE HUDDLES AND FACE-TO-FACE COACHING MOMENTS
may not be possible this summer and fall, as social distancing restrictions remain in place in many states. Here are some options for coach-to-player systems that allow coaches to communication with players from a distance while also remaining efficient with practice time.
GSC Coach-to-Player™ With GSC Coach-to-Player™, a coach can make sure his voice is ingrained in his players’ heads as they execute in practices. GSC Coach-to-Player™ (C2P) makes that possible by providing coaches with an ability to speak to players through their helmets during practice. Through the C2P practice system, a coach speaks into a handheld transmitting device and his voice is audible through the speakers loaded in the players – of his choice – helmets. The technology provides additional coaching opportunities while also helping to expedite the tempo of practice. The C2P system can also help a coach build depth on his roster by giving him an avenue to coach players who are not taking part in a particular rep. Wahoo High (Neb.) coach Chad Fox chose to have both his starting and backup quarterbacks use C2P so that both players could hear his instructions before/after practice reps. “I wanted our backup to stay engaged while taking mental reps throughout practice,” Fox said. “I would even see him walking through his steps while the play was going, just like he was getting the actual rep.” Web: gsc.us.com/
ProCom X12M Football Helmet Receiver Since 1974, ProCom has been dedicated to providing the highest quality communication products on the market. The ProCom X12 Football Coaches Headset supports communication with enhanced noise cancellation technology. The helmet receiver is a miniature receiver than can be mounted inside a helmet to provide communication from the coach to a player. ProCom Founder Frank Girardi recently sold an eight-coach,
The Porta Phone CLIP “The CLIP,” from Porta Phone, is a new teaching tool that provides wireless coach-to-player communication. At the heart of all CLIP systems is the CLIP itself, a miniature speaker that can be worn either on the athlete’s jersey or placed elsewhere. It can be used in multiple sports for communication. For example, outside of football, it could be clipped to the goal netting in soccer, hockey or lacrosse. Coaches can talk hands-free through their headset and they have the ability to mute their voice automatically. Setting the CLIP volume allows coaches to talk to single player or a larger group, such as all players within a football huddle. The CLIP receiver is unique because it is worn outside of the helmet. “Football coaches from Division I FBS through high school are using Porta Phone wireless mid-week to drill game-day staff communication,” says John Hooper, President of Porta Phone. “The Porta Phone CLIP takes this growing trend to the next level by providing coaches wireless voice communication to players on the practice field, making it an invaluable teaching tool.” Web: portaphone.com/the-clip/
nine mini-helmet receiver system to a team in Florida. “They want the coaches and the players to avoid the close contact,” Girardi said. “They’re using our system to do it. “We were the first to offer coach-to-player communication. The coaches who use our system agree that it’s just a matter of time before all teams can use it in games. Texas was supposed to roll it out before all of this happened.” The Texas High School Coaches Association football advisory committee discussed trying a coach-to-quarterback communication system for the 2020 season. The technology would be placed in the quarterback’s helmet. However, that measure has been tabled due to the pandemic. Web: procomheadsets.com/
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