What is new in BowlUp Tracker 2.5?

Since the last big release (1.10, in June) a lot has been built. Most of it comes from conversations with coaches and from my own practice: what still takes too much time, and what would you like to do right at the lanes? Here are the most important new parts. All of it is in version 2.5.

Specto measurements in the student file

Do you work with Specto? Then you no longer have to retype the numbers from the session report. In a student's file, under Measurements, you choose + Specto report, drop the PDF report in and the values are read out. The PDF itself stays in your own browser: only the measured values go to BowlUp, and the file is not stored. If BowlUp does not recognise the report you get a clear message instead of a guess.

For each session you see the accuracy score (the sum of the spread at laydown, arrows, breakpoint and entry; lower is better) and the power score (speed times rpm). BowlUp recalculates them itself from the shots, so the numbers are always right. The arrows show what changed compared with the previous session, and you can switch between km/h and mph. The window is as wide as your screen allows, so you no longer scroll from left to right; on a narrow screen the values are shown in five groups.

Seeing it work: the trend

Pick a value, for example accuracy, power or speed, and see how it develops over the sessions. That shows at a glance that the spread is getting smaller. Rpm is deliberately left out of the trend line: it is a calculated value that is easy to influence, so it is not a good yardstick.

Sharing with your student

For each session you decide whether the student can see it. If you share a session, a Measurements page appears in the student portal with the score cards, a chart of the speed per shot and your comment. Sessions you have not shared stay hidden. Only the trainer can import, edit, delete and share, not an assistant.

The trainer app on your phone and tablet

You often work at the lanes, not at a desk. That is why the trainer app now adapts to the screen width: on a phone the navigation is at the bottom and you find the rest in the More sheet, on a tablet in portrait there is a narrow sidebar with icons, and on a laptop or an iPad in landscape everything is as you know it. Tables become cards, windows become screens and the agenda has a day view. On a phone the student file has tabs (Notes, Lessons, Development and More). With Quick score you rate a student's skills during the lesson on one screen, with large sliders (1 to 10) and a note. Finances are deliberately not on the phone: that is better done on a larger screen.

You can also install the app on the home screen of your iPhone or iPad (via Share, Add to Home Screen). The help explains exactly how.

Small things that save time

• Your own subject and message with an e-mail. When you e-mail an invoice, student report or lesson plan you choose the subject and the text yourself. With placeholders (such as the invoice number, the student's name or your own name) you do not have to retype it every time. An invoice no longer goes out with just a number.
• Copy a lesson block. Duplicate an existing exercise block and adjust or extend the copy, without changing the original.
• Signals and ticking off homework. The dashboard shows which students need attention, and students can tick off homework themselves.
• Punch cards and invoices. A lesson on a punch card is deducted automatically and is not counted twice, and you can still edit an invoice afterwards.
• Assistants per student. An Elite coach decides which students an assistant may see.
• Calendar link. Your lessons and clinics appear in Google, Apple or Outlook.

And this blog

You are reading this on the new BowlUp Coaching blog. Articles about technique, equipment, mental strength and news will appear here, in Dutch and sometimes in English. You can follow it through the homepage, the RSS feed, or Facebook and Instagram. There are no comments under articles; feel free to e-mail me if you want to ask or suggest something.

Want to know more or try it yourself?

Have a look at the pricing or get in touch via bowlupcoaching@ziggo.nl. Do you have a wish for a next version? Let me know: most of the improvements above came about exactly like that.