Bridging Pen & Paper with Digital: A Practical Blend for Easy Data Insights
#7 - Strength & Speed Coaching – Pursuing Your Best ⚡️
Hey everyone, Preston here—welcome back to Pursuit PE!
So far in our Workout Delivery & Progress Tracking series, we’ve covered:
Training Cards – A simple, tangible way to track daily lifts without constant tech or subscription fees.
Motivation & Consistency – Advanced tactics to keep students consistently engaged.
Today, let’s talk about the benefits of having a good data system, even if you prefer pen & paper. Whether it’s a Google Sheets setup or another light-tech solution, the bottom line is: if you’re not going all-in on iPads or an app for daily lifts, you still need some avenue to collect attendance, test metrics, and see the bigger picture across months or years.
Curious how to unify your performance testing without juggling multiple subscriptions? Stick around for the details.
Why Even a Paper-Based Program Needs a “Data Home Base”
I’m Not Anti-Tech
I love pen-and-paper for daily training—tactile ownership, no wifi hassles, immediate feedback.
But
You still need somewhere to store attendance, test metrics, and display progress for months or years. A single folder may work early on, but for deeper insights, a light digital approach can be a game-changer.
1. A Centralized Data Hub
Why It Helps - Instead of flipping through paper stacks, a single spreadsheet (e.g., Google Sheets) or basic database means you can glance at attendance, speed tests, or squat progress with a click.
Minimal Tech Footprint - Build it yourself in Google Sheets (free) or invest in a solution that makes sense for you and your program.
Time Saver - I check the sheet once a week and see if an athlete’s 10-yard dash improved or if someone’s missing sessions. No rummaging, no guesswork.
Gamification - There is something amazing that happens when you gamify progress. This is something I’m really passionate about. I’ll write about this more in an upcoming newsletter. ⚡️
2. Attendance Tracking Made Easy
Why It Helps - A basic Google Form can show you who’s showing up vs. who’s missing, minus any manual re-checking.
Time Saver - Instead of scanning rosters, you just glance at your digital log. Less admin time, more coaching.
No Wifi? - If coverage is poor, keep a paper sign-in; enter data later. Done.
Coach’s Note - Ours takes maybe 10 seconds per athlete, then I review it after class. Way less admin time.
3. Performance Dashboard & KPI Monitoring
Why It Helps - Logging test metrics (like vertical jump or sprint times) helps you see how speed training & strength gains translate to on-field performance.
Short Form - Right after a test, students input their results.
Connect the Dots - Over a semester, compare a rising squat with improved dash times—maybe you need more speed emphasis if the numbers don’t match.
Coach’s Corner - Instead of scanning a year’s worth of training cards, I just pull up their dashboard. Boom—instant data.
4. Handling Multi-Sport Athletes
Why It Helps - Seamless transitions. If an athlete moves from football to wrestling, the same system captures attendance and performance—no second account or folder.
Long-Term View - Over 4 years, the data forms a powerful story—helping you guide them effectively each season.
Tip - It makes for a great end-of-semester progress report! You might distribute printed reports even more frequently if you prefer.
5. Implementation Tips
Learn Spreadsheets - You can pick up Google Sheets tricks from fellow coaches on social media or short tutorials on Youtube.
I learned from so many awesome coaches. Check out this tweet to see who some of the best people to learn from are:
Start Small - Pilot the digital approach with one class or a smaller group. See if wifi, device availability, or data entry is manageable.
Keep Costs Minimal - A Google Sheets system can be free if you choose a specialized setup and build it yourself. Or you can find a great data management system that can be built for you.
Coach’s Perspective - I’ve tried about every way you can deliver programs and track data. This is the best way. I’ll never go away from a setup like this.
Why a Pen & Paper Purist Still Embraces Light Tech
Daily Lifts: Pen-and-paper training cards remain my go-to for immediate cues and progressive overload notes.
Bigger Picture: Over months or years, a simple digital data home base unlocks deeper insights that a stack of folders can’t.
Coach’s Note: Best of both worlds—paper for day-to-day autonomy, plus a spreadsheet for attendance or Key Performance Indicator tracking. Synergy, not a tech takeover.
Next Steps & Action Items
Keep Your Training Cards: That’s your day-to-day foundation.
Add a Google Form/Sheet: For attendance or important KPI tracking, tested weekly or monthly.
Refine Over Time: If the extra step is too time-consuming, scale back or enlist student leaders to help.
Questions? Hit reply or message me. I love hearing how others blend analog and digital to streamline their programs.
Looking Ahead
In our next newsletter, we’ll focus on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) we actually track. Whether you’re 100% paper or blending digital, you’ll see how focusing on the right metrics can transform your PE program.
Coach’s Note: It’s not about gadgets vs. no gadgets—it’s about using each tool where it excels (haha–spreadsheet pun). Paper fosters daily engagement, while a basic digital system captures the big picture.
Need More Personalized Help?
If you need help implementing Strength & Speed courses at your school, I offer consulting for high school coaches & PE teachers. This is a great option for those seeking one-on-one guidance. Hit reply to learn more.
– Preston
Pursuit PE ⚡️
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