Gone are the days of the clipboard and stopwatch. Nowadays there are a host of apps that allow coaches to easily record track and field events so they can better keep an eye on their athletes and provide support. Here are five useful track and field apps coaches might want to consider for the next season.
StopWatch for Track & Field
German PARDO
$.99
This app can be used for timing multiple athletes in one race. It supports 28 distances and 8 relays and will save the information so it can later be reviewed. Users can predefine teams before the event, and for individual events, splits can be programmed at the 200-meter mark or the 400-meter mark.
Track Coach Pro
Graphate LLC
$1.99
With room to store multiple rosters, this app allows track coaches to log their athletes’ miles per week, record and time their meets and splits, and automatically time workouts. It also allows users to export training logs and rosters as data files.
Track and Field
TouchMint
$2.99
This easy-to-use app is a resource coaches might want to recommend to their athletes to help improve their times. It includes more than 400 men’s and women’s events and uses statistical analyses to evaluate results. It keeps track of statistics for individual practices, track meets, seasons, as well as lifetime records. It also records distances, times, rankings, and points scored.
Sprint Timer – Photo Finish
Sten Kaiser
$2.99
Makers of this product boast that it uses the same techniques as the automatic timing equipment featured in the Olympics. The user points the camera to the finish line and the app will create an image where one can then scroll to get the competitor’s time. The app can be used for any type of race, including cycling, speed skating, and rowing events.
Running Coach’s Clipboard
PVI Maine LLC
$9.99
This elite app allows coaches to time and track splits of as many as 100 athletes across several events. The clipboard can then be shared via email, Twitter, Facebook, Vimeo, and Flicker. Race options include all standard distances from sprints to marathons, along with relays. The app is user-friendly and allows photos of athletes to be uploaded to facilitate identification.
Technology has made record-keeping easier and more accurate. These precision timing apps allow coaches to provide athletes with powerful statistics for optimizing performance.