Taking Advantage of Sideline Technology

Before the 2013 season, NFHS lifted it's ban on using technology on the sidelines.  Since the 2013 season, we are all allowed to use any sideline technology we want (we just can't take it past the numbers or beyond the 25s).

I began taking advantage of lifting the technology ban this season.  I had seen a few different companies that offered replay systems and ended up emailing SkyCoach, and asked for a trial.

I was intrigued by SkyCoach because it had less equipment than other systems I had seen.  Their system relies on iPhones to film with, and your cell signal to upload and download the clips.  I am a big apple fan (iPhone, iPad, and MacBook user) and I know that most of our kids have iPhones. Some coaches have concerns over cell signal strength and upload/download speed.  I didn't have any connection issues in any of the stadiums we played at.  You can use a free app called Ookla to test download and upload speed.  Pretty much anywhere is going to have fast enough download speed, just need to make sure upload speed is at least 1.0 MBPS.  Every stadium on our schedule was well over this number.
A case with a magnifying lens attaches to one iPhone to get a tighter view of the play.  I would have my TA film the games from the press box, and I would auto download them onto my iPhone in my pocket on the sideline.

You could have infinite iPads or cell phones logged in looking at the clips (clips are easy to sort and filter by O/D/ST, by series, by play type etc.). What I chose to do was pick up a TV, and have my players and myself watch in between drives.

You can find generic brand flat screen TVs for really cheap, and I got some adapters (iPhone 5/6 to HDMI) that you can find at any electronic store to connect the iPhone to the TV.
If you have power in the stadium you can run an extension cord, or use a car battery, or buy a portable battery pack like I did.

My game day sideline set up looked like this.

I would review the film each drive and have any of my kids not in on defense reviewing with me.  I found this to be a tremendous resource for me as an OC.  It definitely helped with play calling, making adjustments, and fixing our mistakes.  I think this is a more valuable tool than talking to a coach up in the booth.  The guy in the booth can only spot one thing at a time, with this I can rewind the play as many times as I need to in order to see every position on the field.  I can also pause it at the snap and see the exact alignment of every defensive player to each of our formations.

I am not a SkyCoach employee, but I got to use this technology this year and I absolutely loved it.  I have shown this technology to a few schools in my area since our season ended and they have seen what an advantage it can be. 

One knock on SkyCoach was the price ($1500 this season) but the 2015 pricing is down to $1095.  That is a good chunk of money but this is a resource that can add a few wins to your season, and I think having easy instant replay on the sideline seconds after the play is worth one or two extra summer car washes to raise the funds.  

Definitely check out their website and give it a trial, I am confident you will enjoy it.  Tell them Coach B Dud sent you by using my referral code

"Dudley2015"

You can still use your Glazier discount code in promo code while using Dudley2015 in the referral code