Play Counter Pro is available for iOS and Android. It does not require an internet connection during play but having one during setup is advised. Even a poor connection is OK, the app will sync in the background and not interrupt the play counting.
Creating an account is optional but advised. By linking your Google account you can use multiple devices and your data is not lost if you remove the application or lose your device. By linking a Google account you also gain access to the website to manage games, data export, and housekeeping functions. Linking an Apple account has the same benefits but no web access.
You can unlink your account at any time using your Google or Apple dashboard.
When starting a game you are asked for the teams and date, this is to help you find the game later. Once the game has been created there is no way to change this.
There are three ways to Choose Your Players:
Quick start (Select Jerseys) is the fastest and is great when counting the opposing team or if you are starting quickly. Checkmark Select Jerseys and tap on Create Game at the bottom of the screen. At the bottom of the next screen tap Add Some Players. You will be prompted to tap all the jersey numbers and then tap Save. If you make a mistake more players can be added during the game. Extra jerseys can be removed. As the game progresses you can add names and create groups as needed.
Quick start is designed to be easy to learn and get going quickly. It exposes the fewest features and lets you learn the app as you use it.
Copy From Your Prior Game does just what it says. This is great when you have used the quick start option above and spent time naming the players and creating groups, or if you are playing the same opponent again. It’s like the quick start mode but with a memory.
Use a Team Sheet integration allows a roster to be created ahead of time and players assigned to groups and with default locations (sideline vs playing on defense for example). A full team sheets integration tutorial is here . The roster does not need to be created by the play counter, it is possible for the coach to do it the days before and share the link with the person who does the play counting.
Once the game has started it is just a matter of tapping the players who are on the field (the square box will change to a running figure), clearing the status of those who are not (retain square or tap the runner to return to the square), and tapping snap at the bottom of the screen. Any mistakes can corrected by unsnapping the ball (tap Unsnap at the bottom of the screen). The app keeps a full audit trail so there is no way to edit a particular snap.
In-game Features:
Setting the quarter: This is optional but it does show in the export when you download the data.
Groups: The groups drop-down will quickly get everyone off or on the field. You can also name the current group of players and quickly move them onto the field as a group. This can quickly get a starting offense or defense set up. The team sheets integration adds more features here and you may need to mark everyone off to see all the players again.
Player management: You can tap on a player to change their name or Jersey. Using a nickname is fine. This is where you can mark a player as injured or just delete them.
In-game menu: The in-game menu will let you sort the players and hide those that have completed their allotment of plays.
Sorting: Use the menu to sort by Name, Jersey, or location (playing / not playing.
Additional Features:
Live share: This will sync your play count in real-time with the person you give the code to. They will need the app and their display will be a few seconds behind depending on the network speed at your location. It does not slow down the play counter’s device or consume more battery.
Website: A link to your dashboard if you signed in with Google.
Feedback
Many of our features can come from people like you, please send us ideas on how we can make the app better.