Legit question. How much do you think you have changed an athlete's mechanics when running straight ahead? Are they better at getting to acceleration mechanics? Can they hit the key positions in max velocity? What about their ground contact time? How about thigh angular velocity?
(image from TK Terrence Kennell IG page)
Now that you are thinking about it you probably don’t know how you would assess this. Sure, you can see how fast someone accelerates (10 yd dash) or their max velocity (fly 10), but who can actually say they improved athletes' ground contact time? How can you actually measure this?
Enter SpeedSig. I first heard about SpeedSig from TK back in 2022 or 2023 and then talked about it with him in 2024. With SpeedSig TK was able to use his Catapult units to track these metrics of GCT, limb symmetry, and other key metrics in sprinting. This data in addition to speed data (fly 10s) plus video analysis of the sprint would help him in his RTP meetings with ATC and other S&C staff.
(image from TK Terrence Kennell IG page - waist belt is SpeedSig use)
In the same way that GPS metric first helped quantify sprint volume, high speed distance, accel/decel, max velocity, etc…TK could now talk to everyone in the high performance team about the exact mechanics of the sprint effort. It might sound “common” to you now. Keep in mind that this blog was written in 2025. Think back to how radical GPS was around 2010. That is what SpeedSig is doing for sprint mechanics - coaches are more used to data now in 2025.
Why should you care about this?
Chances are you were like me at first and just wanted to collect data with your GPS. What EXACTLY is happening at practice with respect to volume, intensity and density. How does it compare to a game? How does practice compare to training? How does a game compare to training? What about injured players vs healthy? How do we really know that the injuried player is healthy? In the same way you wanted to get GPS metrics to help your athletes, you should want the same with SpeedSig.
What exactly are the key metrics for my athletes? What about injured athletes? How do I know they are ready to come back? All these questions now have answers. And one of the best parts is you do not have to purchase any more hardware. Like I told you earlier, TK was able to use the same Catapult devices with SpeedSig software. You can do the same. In fact, as of March 2025 SpeedSig can work with StatSports and Catapult. So it doesn't matter what company you have, you can analyze your speed mechanics and other key sprint metrics with SpeedSig.
Why do I care about this?
I am obsessed with perfection. I know it cannot be achieved, but I want to chase it in an attempt to give my athletes the best training. This is why we got a trial of 20 Catapult units at Towson - which turned into a full time 50, and then 60 units. I want the same for you all. I want you all to have GPS. I want you all to have Vitruve VBT, Hawkin force plates, good racks from Power Lift, TeamBuildr, etc…When you have these tools you can do better work for your athletes. Think about a craftsman that does not have a drill, saw, hammer, level, etc…Chances are you would not hire that craftsman to work on your house if he was not equipped with all the tools.
I want you to be a craftsman with all the tools, and I want you to have the best tools available. This SpeedSig is like being able to add a new tool to the tool belt for you, the craftsman. And it allows you to work better with other people at your organization (ATC). So, to learn more about SpeedSig head to their website here and read more. You can also watch the video at the top of the page, and you can watch this video from 2024 with Dr. Jason Weber and I.
