MPH Bands: Motivating Student Athletes with Speed Bracelets

Since our insightful conversation with Coach Tony Holler in February 2021, we've witnessed a growing interest from coaches eager to motivate their student athletes with MPH bands - custom silicone bracelets, also known as speed bracelets. These wristbands are becoming a popular choice to encourage competitiveness and celebrate speed on the track and beyond. But what exactly are MPH bands, and how can they be used effectively?

MPH Bands are custom rubber wristbands designed by Coach Tony Holler. Track teams and athletic programs across the country have embraced these bands as a motivational tool to recognize their fastest runners. Each band represents a different speed tier with unique colors and text, making them akin to trophies for speed. To learn more about the origin of these bands, check out our interview with Coach Holler here.

When designing MPH Bands, there are several popular designs to consider:

• Color-Coded Bands: Each band comes in a different color to signify various speeds. For example, yellow gold might represent 23 MPH, while black could denote 19 MPH.

• Lightning Bolts, Logos, and Mascots: Many designs feature lightning bolts around the MPH number.

  • On our Order Now page, upload your logo in "Step 4" by selecting “Upload your own.”  We also have over 1,000,000 great pieces of clipart to choose from. 
    
    Once you upload your logo or artwork, it will show in the preview with a box with an UP arrow in it, to show that your artwork has been uploaded. Once you submit your order, reply to the order confirmation email and ask for a free digital proof to approve prior to production. 
    
    Once you submit your order your artwork is sent to our Design Team who will add your logo to your wristband design and you can preview it via your requested free digital proof.
    
  
  

• Short Motivational Phrases: Opposite of the MPH speed, coaches can put their school's name or short motivational phrases. This adds an extra layer of inspiration for the athletes.

  • Coach Tony chose the phrases "PNTRACK" for the back message of the 20 MPH bands, "FEED THE CATS" on the back of the 21 MPH bands, "SPEED KILLS" on the back of the 22 MPH bands, and "NO SPEED LIMIT" on the back of the 23 MPH bands.
    
    
  • Additional phrases or mantras you can consider are:
    • Your school's name, team name, mascot, logo, or team cheer
    • Chase Greatness
    • Rise Above
    • Unstoppable Force
    • Play to Win
    • Victory Awaits
    • Fight to the End
    • Push Limits
    • Relentless Drive
    • Dominate the Game
    • Earn It
    • Unbreakable Spirit
    • Outwork Them
    • Never Back Down
    • Heart and Hustle
    • Fearless Pursuit
    • Own the Moment
    • Rise & Conquer
    • Win the Day
    • Break Boundaries
    • Strive for Greatness
    • Unyielding Will
    • Go All In
    • Champion Mindset
    • Seize the Victory
    • Defend the Pride
  
  

• Custom Glow-in-the-Dark Bracelets: For a unique twist, consider our custom glow-in-the-dark bracelets that stand out even in low light, making the achievements even more impressive.

• Ink Injected vs. Embossed/Debossed: Ink injected styles offer a durable, vibrant message that makes a bold statement. Alternatively, embossed (raised) or debossed (engraved) options provide a classic look without ink.

Speed tiers for the MPH bands are typically customized based on your program's needs. Here are some of the most popular speeds for high school track coaches:

• Boys Track: 20, 21, 22, 23 MPH
• Girls Track: 16, 17, 18, 20 MPH

The tiers will depend a lot on your facility, running shoes (flats or spikes), etc.

(Image source: The Portland Press Herald www.pressherald.com/2024/06/21/high-school-basketball-celebrates-the-1000-point-scorer-what-milestones-matter-in-other-sports/)

While MPH Bands are a hit in track and field, their applications extend far beyond. Any competitive team or individual sport could implement these wristbands in their own way, highlighting achievements or milestones.

• Football: Yards, completions, completion percent, tackles, touchdowns
• Swimming: MPH, times, or speed per event, wins per event, 
• Soccer: Points, goals, assists, saves
• Baseball & Softball: Batting average, home runs, slugging percentage, runs batted in, runs, on base percentage, stolen bases, batters struck out, no hitters, fielding percentages 
• Basketball: Points scored per game or season, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks
• Volleyball: Hitting percentage, digs, kills, assists, serving aces, total blocks
• Shot Put: Distance thrown
• Golf: Par Average, Points Scored
• Hockey: Points, goals, assists, saves
• Wrestling: Wins
• and more!

The possibilities are endless with your customized rubber bracelets! These wristbands can be tailored for any competitive team or individual sport!

Priority: Cost-Effective Order for Coaches on a Budget

If you're looking for a low-cost option, consider creating one custom silicone wristband design but splitting your order into different band colors (which is free!) and using these different colors to represent various speeds. 

With this, coaches can have a poster/sign in the gym that shows what the different colors represent (yellow gold as 23 MPH, black as 19 MPH, etc.). 

This approach allows you to benefit even more from our promotion of buying 100 or more of one design and getting 200 free (of the same design)! By opting for a single design but splitting it into multiple colors of bands, you save on setup fees and production costs, making it a cheaper budget-friendly choice.

If expense is not a limitation, make different designs for each speed.

For those with a larger budget, you can opt for different band designs for each speed tier. To do this, on our Order page, design one speed's bands, add it to the cart, and return to design the next speed's bands, and repeat the process until all of your bands have been designed.

Keep in mind our price breaks for optimal cost-effectiveness. Our promotion of buying 100 or more of one design and getting 200 free (of the same design) is ideal for larger schools and programs. Smaller schools might only need 20-25 of each speed/message. On our order page as you update the quantity of bands, it will adjust the price calculator on the side so you can experiment and find the best situation for you. 

Our Texas-based customer service team is here to help you navigate the design and ordering process. Whether you need help placing your order or want someone to double-check it, we’re just a call (1-800-523-8078) or email (support@rapidwristbands.com) away.

Not sure where to start? Book a free 15 minute call with our Texas-based wristband experts to talk about your idea and we can figure out the best way to help you make it happen!

Want someone to just double check your order after you submit it? If you need a digital proof, simply reply to your Order Confirmation email after placing your order! We'll get your order to our design team and then send you a free digital proof to approve prior to production.

At RapidWristbands.com, we understand the unique needs of schools and offer various options to make the process smooth. Our Form W-9 is available on our site for any purchasing documentation needs, and we accept Purchase Orders from government agencies, schools, and other entities. To pay with a Purchase Order, select “Pay with Purchase Order” at checkout and upload or email your purchase order. 

For more info about paying with a Purchase Order, visit our Purchase Order page at www.rapidwristbands.com/po.