Telestration Notes
Lincoln, Neb. –The Austin (Texas) Independent School District (ISD) recently partnered with Agile Sports Technologies, a Lincoln, Neb.-based company, to improve their video capabilities with players and coaches throughout all 11 Austin high schools. All are using Agile Sports’ Hudl software, a fully-hosted, online version of the software currently being used by the NFL’s New York Jets and Cleveland Browns, as well as NCAA Division I programs around the country such as the University of Nebraska and the University of Tulsa.
Hudl allows teams to have secure online access to their video and breakdown from anywhere they have an internet connection. Upon capturing games using Hudl’s video editing tools, teams can break down the game or practice using their own terminology live as the game is happening. The system enables coaches to add voice notes, create text notes, and draw telestrations directly on top of their video. These notes can then be shared out directly to fellow coaches and players securely over the web using Hudl.
Coaches and players can then analyze the performance of their team or their upcoming opponents through tendency reports that are tied directly to the video and also available online. Unlike with DVDs or VHS tapes, a coach can quickly watch specific plays in film sessions. If a coach wants to see every time an opponent passed the ball on third and long, it just takes a couple clicks in Hudl to create a playlists of those specific plays.
Since its public release in January 2009, over 350 high schools and smaller colleges around the country, including 57 schools in Texas, have started using Hudl to prepare for their upcoming season. Agile Sports is now adapting Hudl to help coaches and players in other sports such as basketball, wrestling, soccer, lacrosse, and baseball, among other sports.
“I am able to send film, notes, and game corrections to my staff and players at the click of a button,” said Crockett High School head coach Demo Odems. “All my video work can be done from home without spending countless hours on film at the office. If a coach has a computer he can log onto Hudl from anywhere.”
Hudl, which can be controlled with an Xbox 360™ remote, allows players to feel like they are playing a video game as they study their film from home. As they are watching the film, athletes can tag individual plays to create their own highlight videos which can be shared with family, friends, and college recruiters online. Here is an example of an athlete’s Hudl highlight page: http://www.hudl.com/
“Allowing players to get engaged with the video makes it easier and more fun for them to study themselves and their opponents,” said John Wirtz, Agile Sports’ Chief Operating Officer. “When it comes to technology, today’s players are already a step ahead – we need to be there with them. Players love the fact that they can build their highlight videos right on www.hudl.com and share them with recruiters, family, and friends online.”
The system also includes a one-click film exchange, eliminating the need for Austin teams to burn DVDs and drive to exchange film with their opponents. An ‘escrow’ policy ensures that coaches exchange the same quality of film, angles, and number of games.
About Agile Sports Technologies
Agile Sports Technologies was founded in 2006 by David Graff, Brian Kaiser, and John Wirtz to help coaches win.
The company’s mission is to bring talented technology leaders together with world-class coaches and athletes to develop solutions that help teams at all levels dominate their competition. For more information about Hudl, please visit http://www.hudl.com and for more information about Agile Sports Technologies, please visit http://www.agilesports.com.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
