3 years ago I began using sideline replay technology. To my knowledge, I was the first person in Northern California to use this type of technology. That first year I started with a free trial from SkyCoach and I wrote about that experience here.
I had a great experience using SkyCoach so I have continued to use it as my sideline replay system even though there are numerous other companies on the market now. This post is to give a general update on how things have evolved for SkyCoach and how I have used it.
When I first began my free trial I only used the simplest option… use an iphone to film and send it through the cloud. SkyCoach has made some serious upgrades since then.
To stay ahead of the competition they offer no internet kits (to make your own local network and not have to rely on cell phone signal/data) as well as existing camera set ups to use your sideline and press box angles rather than an iPhone.
This set up costs a little bit more but it was especially helpful this season ( first season using this set up) as it allowed us to almost instantly get 2 angles intercut and send to my iPad on the sideline, which I keep plugged in to a 42″ TV.
If you don’t have the budget or resources to pull this system off, the iPhone method for filming STILL works great. To keep things easier on me for set up, all away games I used the simpler, iPhone method. For home games, I would set up the fancier no internet and existing camera method because I had access to power in more locations and a bit more time to set things up.
Pricing information for the different options can be found HERE.
Replay helps the players more than it helps our coaches. Yes we use it to make adjustments and help in calling plays, but I can not stress enough how HELPFUL it is to our OL in seeing their mistakes and fixing things.
The next step for me, is to begin using SkyCoach as a practice tool. I envision being able to set up the system, film group periods like inside run and team, and when the second string rotates in, the starters are able to come over to the sideline and immediately watch their last few plays. I think this will allow us to get things fixed faster and aid in the way that players communicate.
