Integrating Perch VBT and VALD SmartSpeed: Building a High-Performance High School Training System
Summary
Performance tech shouldn’t overwhelm you, it should solve real coaching problems. Coach Vincent Martins explains how tools like Perch VBT and VALD SmartSpeed timing systems help track intent, speed, and progress, turning raw data into meaningful feedback for athlete development.
Why Does This Matter?
Athletes need simple, yet high impacted systems to function at a high level. At this level, you have a limited amount of time to make sure you are allowing time for functionality and growth. Tech allows coaches to track what truly matters; Intent, Speed, and readiness. Taking the guess work out of programming reps and sets and showing tangible data of improvement. The combination of Perch and Vald Smartspeed Systems has allowed us to create a unified model for strength and speed development that can display data that matter to the parent and the coach.
WHAT IS PERCH?
Perch is an all-in-one camera unit that attaches to the top of the rack. It tracks and displays bar speed in m/s, and allows you to display all the intricacies of the workout. It can also display your vertical jump height. Overall, Perch velocity units quantify movement speed to guide smarter, more precise strength training.
WHAT IS VALD SMARTSPEED?
VALD SmartSpeed timers are wireless electronic timing gates used to accurately measure sprint performance during speed and acceleration testing. They utilize infrared laser beams to detect when a person is passing through. Records time in seconds and uploads directly to the hub (eliminating hand recording).
The Windermere Prep Performance Goals
What we are aiming to improve upon besides raw data and numbers is our attendance, our effort, and our punctuality. If you are working in any teaching or coaching environment, you understand the importance of being on time.
ATTENDANCE:
We as coaches cannot help you if you are not present.
EFFORT:
Showing up is half of the battle, but it is not enough. That time being present needs to be taken advantage of.
PUNCTUALITY:
Having multiple groups a day and only set times to train, it is imperative that we arrive on time and READY to participate.
Showing up is half of the battle, but it is not enough. That time being present needs to be taken advantage of,” says @vinnymart1995 Share on XHOW WE DETERMINE SUCCESSFUL PROGRESS;
● Perch TOTAL SCORE
● Perch SPEED SCORE
● Perch STRENGTH SCORE
● Vald Smartspeed times below the average improvement
Image: Perch provides an overview showing Total Performance, Speed Score, and Strength Score. This data set is from an athlete performing Back Squat.
Image: Vald 10 yd and Pro-Agility times showing those times below the average
Beginner vs Advance: How We Automate
Beginner
Broad Ranges – more effort on technical efficiency
Intermediates
Narrower zones – more focused on intent due to improved technical efficiency
Advanced
Precise Velocity Targets – Velocity load profiling
Intent Is vital to the success of the VBT and Timed Sprinting. Here at WPS, we thrive under competition, we constantly record, rank, and publish our times and have the Perch live leaderboard up during workouts. This allows the coach to create buy-in that is authentic and promotes healthy competition.
Image: One of the features of Perch that we use is the live leaderboard that updates every 30 seconds during a workout. This keeps athletes engaged and helps them dig deeper to squeeze out more effort to bump above a buddy.
Image: Example of what we print out weekly to display updated times of sprints to drive intent and competition.
SPEED METRICS THAT MATTER TO US
1. 10 yard Sprints (Acceleration)
2. 10 yard fly (10,20,30 yard build-up, Late Acceleration/Transition/Max Velocity)
3. 40 yard dash (Max Velocity)
4. Pro-Agility (Change of Direction)
5. Curved running (Multi-Directional Speed/Agility)
This allows us to create separate strength and speed programs for athletes’ needs.
● Athlete A has great acceleration but low max velocity metrics.
● Athlete B has great max velocity metrics but low acceleration.
We need to have different speed programs for each athlete and make minor critiques in the weight room programming as well.
VBT Informs Speed
Low velocity = fatigue → adjust speed volume
Speed Informs Strength
Weak max velocity = more speed-strength lifts
POTENTIAL PITFALLS
Data Overload
Do not just collect data for the sake of collecting data. Find out what is valuable to you and the athlete and track it. Start by picking 1-2 metrics.
Coaching availability
Not everyone in the high school level can have multiple coaches on the floor at all times. Keep that in mind during data collection and/or programming decisions.
Education
Make sure if you have help, teach them the why’s of these tools and make sure you both speak the same language to the athlete.
Start Simple
The amount of information that can be displayed is sometimes overwhelming. Start simple, then gradually add if needed.
With that in mind, start small. You don’t have to try to be at your long-term end goal from day one. Figure out what metrics matter to you and figure out how you can start tracking them. Figure out how you can use that data to make adjustments. Then grow your program and resources from there.
Do not just collect data for the sake of collecting data. Find out what is valuable to you and the athlete and track it. Start by picking 1-2 metrics,” says @vinnymart1995 Share on X
