SAN ANTONIO – The Steele High School football team is used to being one of the elite teams in the San Antonio area, but the use of a small drone during practice could take the Knights to new heights.
Steele head coach Scott Lehnhoff said the team got the drone last spring and have used it through August practices. The drone gives coaches and players a new, unique way to look at practice film.
“At first it was really cool to them, they enjoy it and it helps them,” Lehnhoff said. “I think it helps the quarterback really see what the secondary is doing and how they are moving, maybe the middle linebacker to see what’s going on so it’s been a good tool for us.”
The drone allows coaches to see multiple angles and essentially does the work of two traditional cameras.
“An end zone view is probably your best view for your interior players, it allows to get that shot from the end zone, but also allows to get all 22 players in a wide view,” Lehnhoff said.
Two Steele student managers are in charge of flying the drone. Junior McKinley Calhoun is considered the pilot while senior Abigail Van Whinkle is the co-pilot. Both students recognize the responsibility that comes with flying the drone.
“I was able to research and learn about how to use it, control it easier and know what I need to do,” said Calhoun.
“For the first few times, McKinley flew it and then I just stood back and watched and then eventually I learned how to do it, now it’s really easy,” said Van Whinkle.
Both managers said they enjoy using the drone and feel it has helped the team better prepare for games.
“It’s really cool, it’s a step up from last year when we used an end zone tower. It’s easier and you get a better view of the plays,” said Van Whinkle.
“This new technology is innovative and it helps just bring us all together as a family,” said Calhoun.
While the Steele coaches, players and managers have benefited from the drone, they know they must abide by Federal Aviation Administration rules and drone policies set by the University Interscholastic League.
The FAA allows the use of small drones with the following rules set in place: Unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 55 pounds, must remain in the line of sight by the pilot, must be flown only during daylight hours and must not exceed an altitude higher than 400 feet.
(Click here to see all rules for small unmanned aircrafts.)
Pilots using the drone do not have to have FAA airworthiness certification, but must make sure conditions are safe for operation.
Steele is not the only high school across the state using a drone during practice. Several Dallas-Fort Worth area schools started to use a drone last season.
In response, the UIL and TAPPS created policies for the use of drones.
The key points are: drones may only be used for practice purposes and not be used during a game or scrimmage.
Steele has abided by the rules and the drone has given them a whole new way to look at the game itself.
It’s a technology that does not seem to be going away any time soon.
“Video is our greatest teaching tool and just like a teacher in the classroom is looking to find an advantage to teach their students. We are doing the same out here,” Lehnhoff said.