ORANGE PARK, Fla. — Two seasons ago, coach William Whitehead and other members of the Oakleaf Knights football staff introduced Hudl Sideline to the team. Since then, the platform's bird's-eye and 50-yard-line views have helped coaches improve player performance.
Whitehead, the Knights' running backs coach and head junior varsity football coach, said Hudl Sideline has made a significant difference in the team's ability to make adjustments in real-time during games.
"Hudl Sideline guy," said Whitehead about one of his many hats on the field.
Hudl Sideline is a platform that sports teams can use during practices or games to instantly review plays.
"We grab water and head straight to the tent," Whitehead said.
The system allows coaches to use a drone as "eyes in the sky" to spot mistakes quickly. Whitehead said the goal is to correct errors immediately during games.
"Say, 'Hey coach, this is why this play didn't work effectively,' or tell the defensive coordinator, 'This guy didn't shoot the gap. I know this is what you called, but this wasn't the play. You made the right call; we just need better execution from the player.'"
The additional camera angles, Whitehead explains, hold players accountable.
"Instead of saying, 'Well, I thought I did my job,' now they can see what actually happened immediately and visually rep it, which helps the student-athlete's development," he said.
He said it's a new era of coaching.
Whitehead acknowledges how much football coaching has evolved over the years.
"We had DVDs, we broke down film. I remember VHS tapes, rolling the big TV into the auditorium to watch film as a team. On the sideline, the coach had his chalkboard and went crazy drawing up plays," Whitehead recalled.
Now, the Knights aim to "mimic" top programs, and Whitehead believes platforms like Hudl Sideline put them one step closer to that goal.
"You have to be able to spot mistakes immediately because your counterparts are doing the same thing," he said.
He said so far, having the "extra eyes" have directly impacted the season, positively.