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

The Reality of Coaching

Most coaches don’t get paid to set up gear. But that’s how it often feels.

One eye on the stopwatch.
Ten athletes waiting their turn.
Trying to track times while giving technical feedback.

You’re coaching, yes — but you're also managing logistics, equipment, and chaos. And too often, the data you collect doesn’t even help guide the session.

So how do you train smarter — not harder?

Here are five ways a better timing approach can give you more time, better feedback, and sharper decision-making.

1. Setup That Doesn’t Eat Your Session

Every minute spent taping wires or aligning lasers is a minute lost to coaching.

A clean, wireless setup means you can:

• Mark start/splits/finish in under a minute

• Switch easily between drills (40-yard, flying 30s, shuttles…)

• Spend more time actually coaching

Because the best timing system is the one you’ll use every week, not once a season.

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

Timing only works if athletes get the info when they need it.

Delayed results mean missed opportunities.

But instant feedback:

• Helps you coach mechanics in the moment

• Keeps athletes engaged and accountable

• Builds motivation rep after rep

When athletes see their time right after the sprint, they buy in. And that builds momentum fast.

3. Let Athletes Test Themselves

You shouldn’t have to stand there for every rep.

A smart timing system lets athletes:

• Run solo reps with full timing accuracy

• Compete against previous results

• Track progress — even without you watching

This isn’t about coaches doing less. It’s about athletes doing more — taking ownership, pushing themselves, and staying consistent.

4. Trust the Data, Not the Stopwatch

The coach’s eye matters. But when you’re trying to spot a 0.05s improvement, feel isn’t enough.

Accurate, repeatable data lets you:

• Measure real acceleration gains

• Track 10m splits, block starts, flying sprints

• Compare fatigue rates in repeated sprint tests

Reliable numbers don’t replace your coaching — they sharpen it.

5. Scale Up Without the Chaos

Timing one athlete? Easy.

Timing 15 in a session or running testing day with 40? That’s where most systems fall apart.

A timing method that’s built for scale gives you:

• Smooth team testing days

• Organized data for every athlete

• Zero chaos, zero confusion

Stopwatches and basic lasers might work in theory — but they just don’t scale in practice.

Final Thoughts

Coaching is already demanding. You don’t need more gear to fight with, or data you can’t trust.

If you want to train smarter — and save time while doing it — what you really need is a timing method that checks five boxes:

• Fast setup
• Instant feedback
• Athlete self-testing
• Reliable, repeatable data
• Smooth group testing

That’s why more coaches are turning to wireless systems like Freelap.
It’s fast to set up, simple to use, and flexible enough to grow with your program — whether you're coaching one sprinter or a full roster.

Want to see how Freelap fits into your workflow? Click here