Perch: Supporting Student-Athletes with Care and Intention
Southside Christian is committed to caring for the whole student, and that commitment extends into Athletics with the addition of Perch, a strength-training technology that provides real-time feedback.
While the technology itself is impressive, the heart behind it is simple: helping student-athletes train in ways that are effective, safe, and appropriate for where they are—physically and mentally—on any given day.
Perch uses cameras in the weight room to measure how quickly and consistently a barbell moves during a lift. That information gives coaches insight into an athlete’s readiness, allowing them to adjust workouts as needed. On days when a student is tired, stressed, or still recovering, coaches can respond in real time rather than pushing through just to hit a number.
“Some days athletes feel great, and some days they don’t,” said Jimmy Scyoc, Strength and Conditioning Coach at Southside Christian. “Perch helps us see that immediately. It allows us to make smart adjustments so athletes are still improving but not being pushed past what their bodies can handle.”
Over time, this approach helps students build strength and confidence while also reducing the risk of injury—especially during busy seasons when athletes are juggling practices, games, schoolwork, and rest.
One of the most meaningful aspects of Perch is how personal it makes training. Athletes log into the system to see workouts designed specifically for them, along with feedback that shows how they’re progressing. Coaches can tailor training goals based on sport, position, and season, helping each student grow at a pace that makes sense.
The technology has also had a meaningful impact on team culture. During lifts, athletes receive immediate feedback and have learned to encourage one another to stay focused and consistent.
“Perch has brought a new level of accountability to our workouts,” said Coach Jadan Anderson. “The athletes can see in real time whether they’re hitting their marks, adding the right weight, or backing off when needed. It takes the guesswork out of training and helps them stay consistent and healthy.”
It’s a small detail, but it captures something bigger: students learning to challenge one another with encouragement, not pressure.
That same sense of purpose has shaped how teams approach training as a whole. According to Head Football Coach Jonathan Gess, the system has helped athletes train with greater clarity and intention.
“Using Perch has transformed how we train and how our athletes compete. It’s given our players objective feedback, accountability, and intent on every rep—no guessing, no wasted work. As a program, our goal is to lead the state in strength and velocity-based training, and Perch allows us to stay on the cutting edge. Because of it, our athletes are stronger, faster, more explosive, and more confident—trained with purpose, not opinion.” Gess said.
Right now, Perch is being used primarily with football, basketball, and baseball athletes, with hopes to expand as the program grows. But at its core, this investment isn’t about a specific sport or system. It’s about caring well for students—helping them learn discipline, responsibility, and self-awareness through athletics.
At Southside Christian, athletics are one more place where students are shaped and supported. Tools like Perch simply help coaches do what they’ve always done best: guide students with intention, wisdom, and care.
