CoachMe® Blog

The latest and hottest news from CoachMe®

CoachMe Football Edition Updates

Product Updates Posted almost 10 years ago

Game Plan Starts Here with CoachMe


Spring ball is ready and so is CoachMe. After an extensive beta release, CoachMe is live with full functionality across devices and new features that will further highlight the inclusive platform that CoachMe has been known for.


After our initial beta release, we began on a journey that will allow cross platform synchronization to encourage mobile to web usage of the application and improve overall user experience. With the latest releases of web and mobile versions, CoachMe has been updated to allow playbooks to be shared among Web browsers, iOS and Android devices with further enhancements of the CoachMe Network.



We all know that making a straight line with your finger is not the easiest of things to do on a tablet. Well, CoachMe has made this task easier. With the introduction of the straight-line feature, you are able to toggle between drawing straight lines for cleaner presentation of the play and free-hand for those curve routes.




CoachMe is committed to providing the best user experience. We really appreciate your continuous support! For more information and FAQs please visitCoachMe.Uservoice.com. Also feel free to contact us via email at support@coachmeapps.com



Game Plan Starts Here

CoachMe Team

www.CoachMeApps.com

New CoachMe and Much More!

Product Updates Posted over 10 years ago

Hello Coach,

First, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation to you for being a part of the CoachMe Family. Your active use of the platform and great feedback has led us to the experience that we are sharing today. With great reward comes great responsibility. It is a true honor to serve you and your staff with the necessary tools to provide a competitive edge on and off the field. It is an obligation that we do not take lightly. Our journey has led to this moment, in which we are proud to announce, CoachMe 1.0!

This latest build of the CoachMe platform has been a tireless effort to fully integrate staffing needs and player interaction with flexibility and broad reach that technology offers. As you will soon see, CoachMe 1.0 allows the cross platform of desktop and mobile to essentially become one. The cross synchronization of playbooks, sharing, and real-time collaboration has further solidified our motto, Game Plan Starts Here.

We have taken the necessary steps to make sure that this next rollout is adaptable to our CoachMe Family and your continuous success with the platform. Below we have listed the enhancements and things to know about the latest release:

Mobile Migration

Special thanks to all that have created a web account at www.CoachMeApps.com. Until this point, mobile and web has operated independently. The latest release will essentially migrate your local mobile playbooks with playbooks that have been created using the web version of CoachMe.

How does this work?

First, all of the CoachMe Family that has a web and mobile account, will have to log into there account at www.CoachMeApps.com and go to Settings (the gear tab), click Account Settings, next click Account Tab, then scroll to the bottom to the Merge Network Accounts section, click Merge and enter your user name and password from mobile.

Next, upon logging into the CoachMe Network on your mobile device, you will receive a prompt asking for the following:

  • If you have playbooks on your current device you will be prompted to either overwrite or delete device playbooks with network playbooks of yours.

  • If you have current playbooks on the web with the same name as the mobile device, you will be prompted to either upload the playbook from the device and overwrite the network copy or download the Network and overwrite the device copy of the playbook.


Design and Layout

Our intention is to develop a useful tool that serves its purpose while being pleasing to the eye. The new layout provides needed appeal that is important to our CoachMe Family. Enhancements to player and route options have broaden the communication line to further educate staff on ideas and details.

  • New player icon graphics
  • Chalk Telestration

Android!, We love you too!

Finally and for the first time, Android will have the same features as included in the iOS release. We are extremely excited for this effort and look forward to the CoachMe Family collaborating without the limitation of device.

Thank you and Extended Trial Period!

The CoachMe Family has done an excellent job with fully vetting the latest release and providing meaningful input to bring you the greatest release to date. To provide all of the CoachMe Family with an opportunity to experience the latest release in its full capacity we will be extending all CoachMe web trials until November 4th, 2013. 

We really appreciate your continuous support! For more information and FAQs please visit CoachMe.Uservoice.com. Also feel free to contact us via email at support@coachmeapps.com


Best Regards,

CoachMe


CoachMe Camp Day 7

Announcements Posted over 10 years ago

Game Day “Put it all together”


Game day is why we put in all the hard work and effort! So far this week, you have learned all about every aspect of the CoachMe Web Edition, now it’s time to bring the other team on the field...The CoachMe Mobile App.  When you have the combination of the two, you have truly gained the competitive edge and brought your team to the new generational era of football.


Today we take a look at the additional features the mobile app provides and how it collaborates with the web edition.  A majority of the features work exactly the same, however there are a few things that the mobile app can do currently that are not available in the web edition (soon to come in web).  Those features include, the passing feature (diagram and animate the path of the football), the chalk feature (telestration over the top of a play), and notes (ability to write notes on a specific play). As a CoachMe member, your account will include new features as they are released.  


The passing feature is a great way to show players the path of the football in a passing play.  To do this, start by drawing a passing play or recall one from your playbook. Then tap the football icon in the bottom toolbar.  To begin the sequence, tap the player you want to start with the football (typically the center), next tap the player or the route tip you want the ball to go to next.  This is described as the passing feature sequence, once you tap on the route tip of a player, you will only be able to tap on other route tips. As you tap through your sequence, you will see a black line and numbers that correspond with the order you have taped.  Once your sequence is set, simply tap the play button and watch as the football snaps, runs, and passing through the sequence.


To view a tutorial of the “Passing Feature” click here:


The new and improved chalk feature is great for quick instruction or to make coaching points to a player without modifying the play you have already saved.  To enable the chalk feature, tap the options button in the top left, then tap on Chalk.  You will see the original drawing toolbar is changed to the new chalk toolbar.  You can tap on the chalk and start drawing, or tap on the gears (setting for chalk) and select the color and width of your chalk.  Once you have drawn on the chalkboard, you can tap on the eraser to manually erase portions of the chalk drawing, or tap the undo button to erase the last line drawn. If you want to erase the entire telestration, tap on the trash can.  To exit the chalk feature, tap the close button in the toolbar and original drawing features toolbar will return.  


To view a tutorial of the “Chalk Feature and toolbar” click here:


Adding notes to a play is great for coaching points or philosophies you want to keep stored with a particular play.  To add notes, tap on options in the top left then tap on notes.  You will see a pop up window that allows you to write in notes.  Once you have entered your desired notes, tap the save button in the pop up window.  This will bring your PlayBooks up and ask you which play you want these notes attached to.  Now when you share that play with someone, they will be able to see the additional notes you have attached.  


To view a tutorial of the “notes feature” click here:


All right, bring it up...camp is over:) Great job this week, you have been given a lot of information and like any technique or philosophy it’s going to take a lot of practice to become perfect at it.  The CoachMe Support team is here to help along the way, keep an eye out for future online trainings, and blog posts on more cool tips and secrets on how to further your knowledge and ability in the CoachMe software. Good luck this season and please do let us know how you do and how CoachMe has helped you achieve the competitive edge!!!  


For more tutorials on the CoachMe Mobile App go to our YouTube channel “meapps studio”


Additional resources to learn more about CoachMe:


CoachMe Camp Day 6

Announcements Posted over 10 years ago

Thursday Practice “How today's generation of players learn the game off the field”


Today’s walkthrough practice is all about bridging the generational technological gap between players and coaches.  A walkthrough practice is all about refreshing the memory and making sure there isn’t any questions running through you players minds before you take the field under the lights.  To this point you have already done the heavy lifting of learning how to manage your LockerRoom, PlayBooks, and Documents.  Now lets take a look at a few features that will really help you connect with the current generation of players.


CoachMe Message is a great resource for you to use when connecting with players.  This can be used on an individual or group basis but allows for a private conversation between you and players.  Today players are dependant on their smartphone and/or tablet/computer, They would much rather text you than talk to you in person or on the phone.  This is why CoachMe Message is so important for you to open another line of communication with them so they can let you know what they are struggling with.  Every coach asks at the end of a drill or practice if there are any questions, very rarely a player will speak up.  But if they can ask the question with no one else knowing that they are asking for help, the odds are greatly increased that they will reach out for help.  Now not only can you help the player with the specific responsibilities of the play, but you can work together in your PlayBooks to make sure you are on the same page.  


To view a how to video/description of “CoachMe Message, Direct message” click here:


We have also included that ability for you as coaches to send CoachMe message as a text message as well so you can address the whole team immediately if you need to.  This can be very helpful in making sure players come to practices or meetings prepared with what you have asked them to bring.  


To view a how to video/description of “CoachMe Message, text message” click here:


With CoachMe Message now in your toolbelt, you have all the new technology that current players can relate to.  Post comments in the LockerRoom, send messages to players, show animation of plays, have them draw plays on their tablet.  These are all things that were not available a short time ago, but you have to keep up.  Trust us when we say, we understand the demands of being a football coach....let CoachMe help you bridge that generation gap and get you back to doing what you love, coaching football!!!


Tomorrow is game day, make sure you get some good carbohydrates tonight.  As many of coaches have always said “the hay is in the barn”. Tomorrow we face the mobile app, and look at what it brings to the field.  


CoachMe Camp Day 3

Announcements Posted over 10 years ago

Monday Practice “Installing your core plays from day 1”

From the moment you step on the field you want to make sure everything you do is in preparation for game day success! Now that you have your CoachMe account all set up and looking sharp, it’s time to get to the X’s and O’s! Today’s practice is all about teaching you how to create a play from start to finish.  Just like when you first introduce a drill to your position group, we have included videos to demonstrate exactly what we're talking about.


To start make sure you log into your account, once you are in your LockerRoom you can go to your PlayBooks by selecting “PlayBooks” from the middle toolbar or from the dropdown menu in the top right corner.  Now you are ready to start drawing your play!


The first step to drawing a play is to set your formation.  You can do this by using the “Player Toolbar” which is located in the bottom right of the chalkboard.  Our recommendation is to always start with the offensive O-Line button located in the Offensive tab.  From there you can scroll through all the players and click on the ones you want to populate on the screen.  Once they are on the screen, simply drag them to your desired location.  


To view a how to video/description on “Player Toolbar” click here:


Now that your formation is set, it’s time to start drawing the correct assignments for the players.  We call these the “Drawing Tools” and you can find them in the bottom left of the chalkboard.  You should find every type of line you want to use including two different motion route styles (we understand everyone draws a little different).  To apply these routes to players, simply click the desired route then click and drag the cursor from the player to the desired stopping location.  To add a second step to the route, click on the end of the first route and drag to the second stopping location (not available on all routes).


To view a how to video/description on “Drawing Tools” click here:


If you are like us, it is hard to draw a play perfectly the first try! Don’t sweat it, we have included several ways to erase anything from a route, player, side of the ball, or the entire board!  These are what we call the “Delete Options” and you can find them by clicking on the trash can or by doing a right click on a specific player.  After years of drawing routes we know how some people will draw the same route multiple times before being satisfied with it, because of this we made an awesome short cut.  If you want to change the route you just drew, simple click and drag a new route from the same player and the old route will automatically disappear!!!


To view a how to video/description on “Delete Options” click here:


Congratulations! you now have a play on the chalkboard! Let’s make it come to life, do this by clicking the play button in the top right of the chalkboard.  You will also notice you can reload the play, or pause during the play if you want to make coaching points!


To view a how to video/description on “Animation” click here:


Now if you were wondering about how to save this great play you just drew up, we went ahead and saved it in real time for you! The play is always saving as you work through it.  You can always see the title of the PlayBook and Play in the top middle of the chalkboard.  If you just start drawing a play, it will be a default name that you can change in the PlayBook Manager (we will go into more detail on this tomorrow).  


To finish this great day of practice, we won’t line you up for sprints, instead we invite you to print your play by clicking on the print icon on the left of the chalkboard.  This will generate a window that will walk you through printing this great play you diagrammed today.


Go home, rest, and hydrate for tomorrow's practice.  We will be going over how to take this play you diagrammed and make it your custom masterpiece!!!


CoachMe Camp Day 2

Announcements Posted over 10 years ago

Coaches Meeting “preparation for week of practice”


Every good week of practice starts with a solid coaches meeting, plan for success and maximize every minute you have on the practice field.  In order to fully maximize the capabilities of CoachMe you must first understand and master CoachMe LockerRoom.  The LockerRoom is your operations center and everything is run through it! So lets start by making the LockerRoom your custom LockerRoom!


To customize your LockerRoom with your team colors, logos, and pictures go to your team settings under the drop down menu located next to your name in the top right corner of the page.  Once you enter the team settings page you will see plenty of options to fully customize the LockerRoom.


To view a how to video/description on team settings click here:


Once you have your LockerRoom looking the way you want it, it’s time to invite your coaches, players and staff.  We call this Roster Management, You can do this by simply clicking the “view roster” link located on the right side of the screen over the sideline which will have the avatars of the members of your team once they have accepted their invitation. Once you click “view roster” it will prompt you to designate what type of invitation it is and for the email address to the recipient.  You can enter multiple emails at once.


To view a how to video/description on Roster management click here:


With your LockerRoom looking good, team invited, it’s time to finish your setup.  Every member of your organization has their own locker, including you! So go back into the drop down menu in the top right, and select “Account Settings.” This will prompt you with plenty of options to customize what your personal locker looks like.  This is also where you can change your account information if needed.  


To view a how to video/description on account settings click here:



Congratulations! Your setup is complete and now it’s time to cover the capabilities of the LockerRoom.  In the simplest of terms, the LockerRoom is your teams closed social network allowing you to post and comment on the general wall, or on an individuals locker wall.  How you choose to use this powerful tool is completely up to you, our vision was to give you the opportunity to communicate with your team in the most popular platform (social networking) available today.  Some of the obvious use cases would be to notify your team of announcements, time changes, meeting locations, motivational sayings, and gathering of information.  We put together a short video of some examples of how you could use the LockerRoom.  Here is also a video on the specifics of how to post and comment.  


To view the how to video/description on the LockerRoom click here:

You are now a master of CoachMe LockerRoom! You are ready to hit the field for practice, check in tomorrow to learn about CoachMe PlayBooks and how to create a play from start to finish!


CoachMe 1.0 Coming Soon!

Press Releases Posted over 10 years ago
The football season is right around the corner and we have been hard at work this offseason to bring our CoachMe members the competitive edge this fall.  We are pleased to announce that we are releasing CoachMe 1.0 over the next two weeks!!!


With the release of CoachMe 1.0 we want to thank all of our beta testers for their hard work and patience through the process.  To ensure the security and transferability of all our mobile and web members PlayBooks the release will happen in stages.  Keep an eye out for emails and blog posts over the coming weeks to get directions on how to sync your current accounts.  


Here are some highlights of what’s coming!!!

CoachMe 1.0 web version

  • New and updated features

    • Player, animation, and field options

    • “Save As”, and “New Play” features

    • PlayBook drop down menu from within the chalkboard

    • Enhancements to CoachMe LockerRoom, Docs, and Message

    • Notifications

    • Lots and lots of bug fixes :-)


Mobile to web collaboration!!!

  • Sync your mobile and web accounts

  • Details to come for migrating your current PlayBooks


New mobile app update (coming soon!!!)

  • New Features

    • Complete new design

    • Telestration (use the chalkboard with your plays)

    • New players

    • Enhanced user experience

    • Updated CoachMe Network

  • Get the beta version early, click on this link if you want a sneak peak http://goo.gl/CB84kM


Extended trial period for beta testers (Thank you for your patience over the offseason)

  • If you have signed up for a trial on the web before July 15th, your trial will expire on Aug. 21st


CoachMe Camp July 27 - August 2nd

  • Welcome to CoachMe 101, there will be blog posts daily with detailed How To’s and video tutorials on all of CoachMe’s features.  By the end of the week, you will have all the knowledge and tools you’ll need to use CoachMe to gain that competitive edge for this season!


Game Plan Starts Here

CoachMe Team
www.CoachMeApps.com


How Bad Do You Want It?

Founders Chatter Posted almost 11 years ago

Spring Practice is here for most programs! It’s time to lace up, strap up and rise up to greatness. The best part about being great is the continuous journey to perfection. A video came across the CoachMe desks earlier that speaks to the idea of rising to the occasion and beyond, working hard, striving for excellence, taking advantage of the opportunity and exceeding beyond measure. We hope the video is motivation to your team as it is motivation for us to continue to make the CoachMe Platform the Competitive Edge tool you need and want.


Thanks to Rank Society for the YouTube Video!


Game Plan Starts Here

CoachMe Team
www.CoachMeApps.com

Rolling Out New Features

Founders Chatter Posted almost 11 years ago

If you haven’t logged into your CoachMe account in a couple weeks you are missing out on all the updates we have made! We are working around the clock and releasing new updates constantly! So login, create a new play and see if you can notice all the new features! (hint, try right clicking on your player or starting a new play from the same screen)


Keep an eye out, as the next couple weeks will bring some of the most exciting features yet! Keep working away in the mobile app as well, very soon your work will be compatible between platforms!!!


We are available to help you as you start creating your PlayBooks and Documents so let us know what we can do for you.  




Game Plan Start Here


CoachMe Team

www.CoachMeApps.com


Will your PlayBook be ready for spring practice?

Founders Chatter Posted almost 11 years ago

Spring practices will be here before we know it! The ultimate question is...Are You Ready?! Are you putting in a new offense or defense this year, maybe you just have a few new things you picked up over the offseason.  Either way CoachMe is here to help you get ready and show your entire team how cutting edge you are with integrating technology with your program.  Get started or continue to create great plays in CoachMe and come that first meeting you can show your players not only a great looking play diagram, but also animate the play!


Got a new coach on staff? Add him to your CoachMe account and share your PlayBook with him! Better yet, have him create the PlayBook and share it with you!


Game Plan Start Here

CoachMe Team
www.CoachMeApps.com

Welcome our CHARTER MEMBER program

Announcements Posted almost 11 years ago

CoachMe is excited to announce our “CHARTER MEMBERSHIP” Become a member and get up to $400 OFF!!! This is our way of rewarding the teams that have been with us and those who are joining us from the beginning!

This offer is limited to the first 500 schools that sign up. Get started with your free trial and lock in your membership today! In addition to giving you the discount on your membership, we are going to give you a four year price lock option for the current membership prices.  So if you change packages over the years you will be getting exclusive charter membership pricing!

Here is the detailed pricing breakdown for the CHARTER MEMBERSHIP.


Now is your opportunity to get the next package up for the same price! Spots are filling up quickly so don’t miss out, take your team to the next level and get the competitive edge.


Game Plan Start Here

CoachMe Team
www.CoachMeApps.com

Best Browser for CoachMe Web Edition

Best Practices Posted almost 11 years ago

With so many browsers out there (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari for Apple, Opera and etc.)


As developers we build to suit all platforms including all major browsers. The nature of our industry provides innovation at accelerated pace which causes legacy components to become disabled or rather not perform to desired specifications. The cutting edge that drives the CoachMe platform is an example of technology that influences the industry and brings forth advances in external components.


Google Chrome Web browser provides a great platform that allows CoachMe web edition to flourish and effectively utilizes all features in the suite. Google Chrome efficiency to provide the latest packages for developing web applications highlights the intended need to recommend the browser to all users for using CoachMe to its full potential.


Please find a link to Google Chrome here:

https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser/




Game Plan Starts Here

CoachMe Team
www.CoachMeApps.com



Disclaimer: Google Chrome logo belongs Google. CoachMe does not own any rights to the Google Chrome logo.

Coach's Corner: Stretching Might Be Bad For You?

Announcements Posted about 11 years ago


Our community continues to grow and provide great insight into all aspects of coaching. From “the best defense for youth organizations” to “the first steps as a new head coach”, the CoachMe Community gives much value everyday. The latest post is from Coach Urrego on the multiple views of stretching:


“ As studies continue in the sports world, so does the different beliefs in training and sports performance. Several coaches and trainers have beliefs and ideologies that are used for a foundation on their athletes' regular training cycle.

Dynamic stretching. Static Stretching.

Dynamic stretching is ideally done before a workout and it involves a concise range of motion meant to mimic the movement we make during rigorous exercise. Static stretching involves extending your arms, legs or other body parts to the point of tension and holding that position for a period of time.

New studies have suggested that stretching before activity or competition may inhibit peak performance. While experts have not yet honed in on what it is about stretching that inhibits proper muscle function, studies have shown that explosive muscle performance such as running and jumping decreases with stretching before workout.

Although there are many great athletes who stretch regularly and include stretching and flexibility as part of their routine. These ideas can change the the foundation of a team's workouts and strength and conditioning program.

I honestly do not know what may be the answer, but I am curious about other insights and philosophies. “

-Coach Danny Urrego


We appreciate Coach for his insight. Please tells us how you feel about stretching, the importance of stretching, alternative methods of stretching and other useful habits for player development.


https://coachmeapps.com/corner/forums/strength-conditioning/topics/stretching-might-be-bad-for-you


Game Plan Starts Here,


CoachMe Team
www.CoachMeApps.com



Get to know CoachMe

Announcements Posted about 11 years ago

As with many new applications, the flow process may take time to become familiar with for daily use. Our goal is to lessen the time with the continuous build of our knowledge base.

The CoachMe Knowledge Base is designed to provide useful information that will assist you with navigating the site, providing meaningful feedback, inquiring about future release and offering valuable input. Some questions may be specific to certain packages but the overall notion is to provide you with the competitive edge all year long.

As members, it is important that you are able to hold us accountable and have a platform to discuss an array of topics and receive responses from us and other community members. Also, you will be able to vote on certain topics that they feel should have priority within the production schedule.

We want to provide the best user experience. We believe that resources should be available to our users at any time, from between the lines and beyond the locker room, which is the reason you will find similar information throughout here and the CoachMe website: www.CoachMeApps.com