I decided to introduce a mobile technology that has had a major impact on how sports are coached at the high school and university level. Hudl is coaching and scouting software that allows coaches to connect with their athletes and other coaches over their mobile devices. Coaches can upload game film and add comments, draw diagrams, add voice-over, and include links. The service includes digital tools that allows coaches to create playbooks, which can embed video clips, and animate the plays so athletes get a sense of not only the timing of the play, but see exactly how they are supposed to move. Entire games can be shared with the team, or specific plays can be sent to individual players. In a sport like football which contains specialized positions, the film study can be tailored accordingly. Rather than have the entire team sit in a meeting while the coaches break down game elements not relevant to the entire audience, the content can be individualized. This program has essentially transformed how game-film is analyzed; moving it from large team meetings, to individual mobile devices, allowing athletes to watch at their own pace, on their own schedule. Additionally, coaches can track given assignments and are given access to analytics on their athletes participation.
In the province of British Columbia, high school football programs are mandated to use Hudl. There is a subscription fee, but part of the cost is subsidized by the provincial association. Football teams in the province are required to upload game-film each week and upon doing so, are granted access to their upcoming opponent’s film. Opponent film can be edited and coaches can add notes to guide player analysis. For an additional fee, the program will analyze game-film and provide scouting reports and tendencies for upcoming opponents. Further to sharing film with athletes and opposing coaches, Hudl has changed the way universities scout prospects. Athletes can use the software to create highlight tapes that can be shared on social media or sent directly to university coaches and athletic directors.
I find this share interesting as it is yet another mobile technology that seemed to be far off and is now changing the way we see sport. Coaches are able to show athletes exactly what went wrong, what went right or what changes they can make to certain plays. This visual ability is exceptionally helpful in allowing athletes to make adaptations to they game play. Not only that, it definitely helps in making recruitment easier and understanding what athletes are doing on the field. As a previous varsity athlete one of the most dramatic changes in my career was watching slow motions videos (I was a swimmer) to see what my body was doing and how I could make immediate changes. I would also think coaches could use this app during game play to help planning and coaching.