How We Improved Sideline: An Inside Look

Minimal Setup

Sideline helped teams gain insights in an instant, but coaches wanted us to take a cue from the technology and speed up the hardware setup on game day. After all, coaches don’t have time to deal with unpacking hardware and figuring out where cords should be connected.

“It’s important for us to have Sideline easy to set up because I want to be able to easily tell our camera guys what to do,” said Freezy Smalls II, an assistant coach at Jack Britt High School in North Carolina. “Oftentimes we have to train new camera people because of unforeseen events and video is vital to our success. So when I can easily show them how to set it up, I don't have to spend precious time away from game planning.”

That’s why we made the decision to ensure all packages come preconfigured in a hard, protective case – one for the press box, and one for the end zone

Because everything is connected and protected, all you have to worry about is plugging in your cameras and pointing your antennas in the right direction. Setting up Sideline will still take a few practice reps, but the minimal setup will allow you to spend more time coaching and less time dealing with hardware.

Stronger Network, Better Coverage

Games can turn on a single play, so gathering insights as quickly as possible is crucial for every coaching staff. And even if you are able to quickly communicate key observations to your coaches, those insights don’t mean a thing if you’re not seeing the entire picture.

"When we searched for a sideline product it was important for us to find a product that was easy and efficient to set up,” said Matt Garris, head coach at Coral Springs Charter School in Florida. “Even more important was the reliability of a strong network with fast download speeds so we don't miss any plays that will provide us with critical information to make a quick game-changing decision. Hudl Sideline met and exceeded these expectations!"

Plus and Premium teams can rest easy, as we’ve added additional antennas and an improved wireless setup to ensure better coverage on the sideline and in the press box. Placing an access point in the end zone adds a wireless signal at the field level, ensuring a stronger connection to viewing devices on the sideline. The wireless bridge connecting the sideline and end zone angles has been updated to provide an upgraded connection.