Social Distance with Coach-ToPlayer Communication

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/

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/

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, 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/

2 Alternatives to HUDL for Video QWIKCUT, SPORT SCOPE GIVES COACHES OTHER OPTIONS Some coaches express frustration that there are very few alternatives to using HUDL for recording and sharing game film. However, companies do exist that offer less expensive options with other benefits as well.

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN, FNF COACHES EDITOR

QwikCut Video and Analytics

QWIKCUT OFFERS AN AFFORDABLE VIDEO ANALYSIS platform to elevate game performance. Store, share and analyze game film from your desktop or mobile phone with the app. Here are six advantages to using Qwikcut.

1Unlimited storage Just like you hate when your iPhone asks you to pay more for additional iCloud space, you won’t like it when HUDL forces you to pay more to store your own videos.

2Less expensive HUDL’s unlimited storage plan checks in at around $3,300. QwikCut’s unlimited storage plan is $600.

3Interactive for fans QwikCut’s team pages include fan pages. A school can sell access to parents, grandparents and other relatives to view videos of practices and games.

4Player grading Position coaches can go on the platform and grade players. The players receive the feedback through their individual profiles.

5Photo library The photo library is a big draw for athletes, who love looking at their own action shots. Uploading photos gives athletes access to all media from games.

6Social media platform QwikCut takes the functionality of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and provides a platform for specifically for athletes. College coaches can search profiles for height, weight, position, GPA and video highlights. Web: www.qwikcut.com

Sport Scope EDGE Replay

SPORT SCOPE EDGE INSTANT REPLAY ALLOWS OFFENSIVE, defensive, and special teams coaches to filter the play tags that matter most to them. In doing so, the app is tailored to their position and instruction style. Sport Scope co-founder Derek Taylor shared five advantages of using the EDGE Replay system.

1Reliability of network The EDGE Replay system offers superior reliability with better antennas and a three-point network. The customers are getting more for what they pay for.

2Price The EDGE Replay system starts at $499 annually. Even a two-angle HUDL replay system costs about $1,500 annually.

3Smart camera control The EDGE Replay system allows coaches to synch the system with end zone cameras, which the coaches can control from the press box. It cuts down on the film staff and saves the team money. 4 Hardware technology Sport Scope builds its own hardware made specifically for replay systems. Other products rely on a streaming box to do something it is not intended to do.

5Live streaming capabilities The EDGE Replay system has more features. One example: It gives coaches the ability to live stream from replay equipment with no extra staff needed. The live stream can be set up behind a pay wall so fans are charged ticket prices. The livestream feed can also accept donations to the program Web: www.sportscope.com

10 Ways Catapult Playertek Can Help Teams Perform Better Coaches no longer have to look for athletes breathing heavy or tapping their helmets to realize they need breaks. Now, GPS tracking technology provides coaches with precise metrics that serve as predictors of unproductive play or injury.

Catapult has recently released the Playertek, which was designed with high school coaches in mind. The software is less technical and more intuitive than the products marketed to pro and college coaches, and the price point falls in line with high school budgets.

D.J. Callender, Catapult Director of Sales, and Robert Pomazak, St. Charles North (Ill.) head coach, each weigh in with five ways the Playertek technology can make a team better.

Catapult Director of Sales D.J. Callender

1Fewer soft tissue injuries. “One of the buckets we preach and coaches find is the value of soft tissue mitigation. The technology allows coaches to keep athletes fresh so they’re not at risk of suffering soft-tissue injuries.”

2Prescribe workloads. “If you can understand what peak performance and output looks like, you can dial in what you want for a 50 percent day or a 75 percent day. It’s taking a preventative approach.”

3Program the week. “Go into every Friday night fresh and ready to perform at your best. If that’s the goal, what should you do on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday? That’s a growing piece of the puzzle.”

4Gain access to a content hub. “The Catapult community is consolidated into a hub online for all users. We have blogs with comments, so you can ask for feedback. It’s a user-generated content hub.”

5Get in-house consulting. “We have a team of sports scientists, and we can package in a consulting piece to it. A lot of teams use our in-house staff and trainers.”

The Catapult Playertek

PLAYERTEK

leverages Catapult’s heritage to deliver high-quality athlete monitoring technology to teams of all levels and budgets. PlayerTek provides insights into performance with a range of powerful features, including live snapshots, heart rate, and Catapult Vision integration.

WEB:

https://www. catapultsports.com/ products/playertek

TWITTER:

@PlayerTek

St. Charles North (Ill.) coach Robert Pomazak

Pomazak has created a system using Catapult technology to help track and evaluate the performance of his defense throughout the season.

1Players are fresher. “I decided to invest in this technology because the return on investment is huge. We’re able to keep our players fresher for longer.”

2Customize practices for individuals. “It’s not just cookie-cutter. I’m able to look at an individual player’s load and prescribe the lowest dose practice for that player. The ideology of running players into the ground has changed.”

3Get key metrics. “The metrics I use the most are sprint distance, total caloric expenditure and impact. The biggest adjustment we’ve made is to impact. We have eliminated impact from the practice to the point that we don’t monitor the metric.”

4Eliminate high-risk periods for fatigue. “I monitor our wide receivers’ sprint distance. If a player runs a deep route, we immediately put in a new player. Within a week, we saw 250 yards of sprint distance cut down.”

5Don’t rely on players to rest when they’re tired. “Often times, players won’t tell us the truth. When you show them the data behind it, you might get a more honest response. ‘I’m tired.’ Or, ‘I feel fresh.’”

Two Products to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 SCHUTT SPORTS SPECIALIZES IN PROTECTIVE GEAR DURING PANDEMIC

BY DAN GUTTENPLAN, FNF COACHES EDITOR

Safety will take on a new meaning on football fields this summer and fall, as preventing the spread of the virus will be of the utmost importance. One helmet manufacturer is taking the lead on producing safety gear especially geared for the pandemic.

Football is back after a pause due to the coronavirus pandemic, but with the virus still a serious threat, teams are altering the way they practice and play to help keep everyone safe. SCHUTT SPORTS PYTHON FACE MASK The Python Face Mask is a five-layer facemask featuring a replaceSchutt Sports has taken the lead on this with two new products. able filtration system that can be purchased with a variety of filter level options, with up to 95% filtration. SCHUTT SPORTS SPLASH SHIELD This provides a unique balance between enhanced breathability and filtration, specifically designed for The Splash Shield is designed to offer protection for players from athletic or workout use. harmful droplets caused by talking, sneezing and coughing Also available for purchase in July, the Python Face in close proximity. The Splash Shield will attach directly to Mask’s unique design combines a five-layer enhanced the faceguard. Not only will the new Splash Shield filtration and inhalation/exhalation system with a fit all configurations of football helmets, but silicone stabilization system on the inner layer. these guards are lightweight, easy to attach The silicone provides a tight seal over the and clean, and inexpensive enough to be face without the abrasion one gets from disposable. a traditional mask. This enhances the

Schutt will offer the Splash Shield security of the mask during activities. for purchase by July, both through The combination of the over-thetheir dealer network ear construction combined with an and online. adjustable Velcro backstrap design

“This new product will help players allows for a customized, secure fit and return to football,” said Kip Meyer, all-day comfort. The patented multigeneral manager for Schutt Sports. layer construction wicks moisture “We are excited to introduce a product ■ The Splash Shield is designed to from the mouth and evaporates to the that benefits the players, the industry and prevent the spread of droplets. outer layer, while the adjustable nose ultimately, the fans.” bridge provides a custom fit and seal around

The Splash Shield is made of a clear optical material the nose. The filter of the mask is replaceable, and and has slotted tabs for ease in connecting the product to the mask is reusable. The mask can be washed and dried, any faceguard on any helmet. While the Splash Shield will and the material has an inherent memory retention due offer some protection, it can only limit exposure to airborne to its wrap knit fabrication versus the polyester or woven droplets that the athlete encounters during play. materials of the competition.