Ways to Train Smarter (and Save Time) with Better Timing

The Reality of Coaching

Most coaches don’t get paid to stand around setting up equipment. But that’s what happens when you’re stuck juggling stopwatches, wires, or clunky laser gates.

You know the drill:

• Ten athletes waiting their turn.

• A stopwatch in one hand and a clipboard in the other.

• Trying to give feedback while also timing splits.

It’s exhausting. And often, the data you end up with isn’t even reliable enough to guide training.

So how do you train smarter, not harder? Here are five ways to cut the nonsense and make timing work for you, not against you.

1. Setup That Doesn’t Eat Your Session

Every minute spent taping down wires or aligning lasers is a minute you’re not coaching.

A simple wireless setup lets you:

• Mark out start, splits, and finish in under a minute.

• Move easily between drills (40-yard dash, shuttles, flying 30s).

• Spend more time coaching instead of managing gear.

The best timing system is the one you’ll actually use every day.

2. Real-Time Feedback (When It Matters Most)

Athletes don’t want to hear their time next week. They want it right after the rep.

Real-time results mean:

• You can correct mechanics immediately.

• Athletes stay engaged because they see their numbers.

• Adjustments happen on the spot instead of being lost later.

Immediate feedback builds buy-in — athletes train harder when the clock is holding them accountable.

3. Let Athletes Test Themselves

You don’t need to babysit every sprint. A good timing system makes self-testing possible:

• Athletes can run extra reps on their own.

• Data is logged automatically and ready for you later.

• They stay motivated because they’re competing with their own numbers.

This isn’t about coaches doing less — it’s about athletes taking more ownership.

4. Trust the Data, Not the Stopwatch

The “coach’s eye” is valuable, but when you’re measuring improvements of 0.05s, human timing won’t cut it.

Reliable timing data helps you:

• See real acceleration gains (10m splits, block starts).

• Track repeat sprint ability without second-guessing.

• Build programs based on fact, not feel.

Numbers don’t replace coaching — they make your decisions sharper.

5. Scale Up Without the Chaos

Timing one athlete is easy. Timing 20 in a practice? That’s usually chaos.

A good system should handle both:

• Individual sessions without fuss.

• Team testing days without falling apart.

• Clean data for every athlete, organized automatically.

This is where most stopwatches and laser gates collapse — they just don’t scale.

Final Thoughts

Coaching is already demanding. You don’t need to waste energy fighting with gear or questioning your times.

If you want to train smarter, not harder, the answer isn’t some fancy gadget — it’s simply a timing method that:

• Sets up fast,

• Gives instant feedback,

• Lets athletes self-test,

• Provides reliable data,

• And works for both one athlete and a whole roster.

Because the less time you spend managing logistics, the more time you get to actually coach.