The Old Way Of Timing Athletes Is Over

December 18, 2025

The Old Way of Timing Athletes Is Over

Why Modern Coaches Are Replacing Timing Gates With Faster, Smarter Speed Technology

For years, timing gates have been considered the gold standard for measuring speed and acceleration. They promised precision, objectivity, and legitimacy in athlete testing.

But today, more and more coaches are asking an uncomfortable question:

If timing gates are so accurate, why do they slow training down so much?

In an era where athletes train year-round, sessions are tightly scheduled, and coaching staffs are stretched thin, the old model of speed testing no longer fits how performance actually happens on the field.

This is why a growing number of programs are moving away from traditional timing gates — not because accuracy doesn’t matter, but because efficiency matters just as much.

The Problem With Traditional Timing Gates

Timing gates were built for a different era of training.

They were designed when:

Testing days were infrequent
Sessions were slower-paced
Staff sizes were larger
Setup time was considered acceptable

That reality no longer exists.

The Hidden Costs of Timing Gates

On paper, timing gates look simple. In practice, coaches know the truth:

Bulky equipment that must be transported and stored
Long setup and alignment times
Calibration issues
Multiple staff members required to run a session smoothly
Training time lost while athletes wait

By the time gates are aligned, distances measured, and athletes briefed, 30–40 minutes of a session can be gone — before meaningful work even begins.

Speed testing should enhance training, not interrupt it.

Accuracy Alone Isn’t Enough Anymore

Every coach agrees on one thing: accuracy matters.

But accuracy without accessibility creates a problem.

If testing is so inconvenient that you:

Test less often
Rush sessions
Reduce reps
Or avoid collecting data altogether

Then the accuracy becomes irrelevant.

Modern athlete development demands frequent feedback, not occasional testing days.

The Shift Toward Frictionless Speed Tracking

The best technology doesn’t ask coaches to change how they train.

It adapts to how training actually happens.

That philosophy is exactly why JAWKU Speed was created.

Instead of mimicking timing gates, JAWKU eliminated everything that made them impractical.

What Makes JAWKU Speed Different

1. Setup in Under 5 Seconds

There’s no alignment.

No calibration.

No equipment spread across the field.

Coaches open the app, pair the device, and start training immediately.

Speed testing becomes part of the session — not a separate event.

2. Same Level of Accuracy — Without the Hassle

JAWKU Speed delivers the same reliable performance data coaches expect from high-end systems, without the complexity.

Accurate timing

Agility

Reaction time

All captured instantly and consistently.

3. Built for How Athletes Actually Train

Athletes don’t train in perfectly controlled lab environments.

They train:

During warm-ups
Between reps
In small groups
With limited time

JAWKU Speed fits seamlessly into real sessions — allowing coaches to collect data without breaking flow.

4. A Fraction of the Cost

Traditional timing gate systems often come with:

High upfront costs
Expensive accessories
Replacement parts
Storage and transport challenges

JAWKU Speed delivers elite-level performance tracking without elite-level pricing, making accurate speed data accessible to more programs.

Why Coaches Are Making the Switch

The biggest difference coaches report isn’t just better data.

It’s better training sessions.

More reps.

More engagement.

Less downtime.

More actionable feedback.

Coach Testimonials:

“We used timing gates for years, but they dictated our sessions instead of supporting them. With JAWKU Speed, testing happens naturally during training. We get more data now than ever before — and we train faster.”

— Division I Strength & Conditioning Coach

“Setup used to take longer than the actual speed work. Now I can test acceleration, top speed, and reaction time without stopping practice. The athletes love the instant feedback.”

— High School Performance Director

“As a solo coach, timing gates were a nightmare. JAWKU Speed lets me run everything myself without sacrificing accuracy. That alone made it worth it.”

— Private Performance Facility Owner

“We didn’t need another piece of equipment. We needed something that saved time. JAWKU Speed does exactly that.”

— Collegiate Assistant S&C Coach

The Real Advantage: More Meaningful Reps

When speed testing becomes effortless, something powerful happens:

Coaches test more often.

Athletes get feedback immediately.

Training decisions improve.

Instead of wasting time on setup and teardown, coaches spend sessions doing what matters most:

Coaching. Training. Developing athletes.

The Future of Speed Testing

The old way of timing athletes is over.