Athlete tracking systems seem to be all the rage these days in youth sports.⚽ These are cutting-edge technologies that provide real-time data and insights into a player’s movements, their performance metrics, and tactical patterns.
But are there actual benefits to using a tracking system? Are these systems applicable to all ages and players?⁉️
This week, Coach Mike Semenza takes you through the benefits of using a tracking system and some guidelines on when it is appropriate to invest in the technology.
Enhanced Performance Analysis
A soccer tracking system offers coaches, trainers, and others data on the player to gain insights into how that player performed in training or a game. By utilizing sensors, the system captures detailed information about player positions, speed,🏃♂️ acceleration, distance covered, and more.
The data can then be used to evaluate player performance, identify areas of weaknesses and strengths, and make informed decisions on training regimes and player selection.
Tactical Analysis
One of the most important aspects of a tracking system is the ability to provide a comprehensive tactical analysis. It visualizes players’ movements and positional data. This allows coaches to analyze the team’s shape, player positioning, and patterns of play.🥅
Coaches can then create effective game plans, harness a player’s strengths,💪 minimize a player’s weaknesses, and improve team coordination. Coaches can track and compare performance metrics across different games.
Player Development⚽
By monitoring individual player performance metrics, trainers can identify areas that require improvement. This could be elements like speed, endurance, 🏃♀️or positional awareness. Tracking systems provide instant feedback during training sessions, allowing players to adjust their techniques and improve their overall performance.
Injury Prevention
By monitoring player workload and fatigue levels, players can prevent overtraining and reduce the risk of injuries due to excessive physical stress. Real-time tracking allows coaches and players to identify any potential injury risks like a sudden change in player movements or abnormal patterns of playing.🤕
What Ages Should Use Tracking Systems
A lot of parents feel that tracking systems are better for older players, high school age and up. But many clubs are using these systems for players as young as eight years old. Why? Because of all the advantages mentioned above.⭐
If a parent is using the tracking system, they can monitor how much their child is training and exerting themselves. 🤔They can compare gameplay metrics with training metrics and see if the child is working as hard in games as they are in practice.
For coaches, monitoring younger teams allows them to better select players and their positioning. Coaches can alter player positioning to maximize their strengths and limit their weaknesses. They can also see if players are avoiding using their weaker foot 🦶or analyze players running speeds and max efforts during a game.
If you are interested in using a tracking system, talk to your coach and see if one is right for you. Your coach may prefer using a team tracking system like Trace, VEO, or other video programs versus personal use devices like Catapult Playr or StatSports.
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This article is designed for any player looking to improve or for parents seeking ways to help their child excel on the soccer field.
