How Sports Performance Tracking Technology Can Improve Max Speed in Football
Football is a game of inches and can be the difference between victory and defeat; coaches and athletes are constantly seeking innovative ways to gain an edge. One of the most crucial aspects of the game is speed — the ability to cover ground quickly, change direction on a dime, and execute plays with precision. This is where the combination of sports performance coaches and cutting-edge technology come into play.
Sports performance coaches are the unsung heroes behind the scenes of every successful sports team. They work closely with athletes to optimize many aspects, including:
- Physical capabilities
- Mental resilience
- Overall performance
Understanding how performance coaches collaborate with athletes and utilize performance tracking technology to measure and improve an athlete’s max speed can be simplified by establishing benchmarks and optimizing practice sessions leading up to game day.
The ability to track and monitor performance for each individual athlete by position or the entire team helps coaches focus on the demands of the game without a one-size-fits-all approach to training and conditioning.
The University of Louisiana used sports performance tracking technology to improve their conference and overall records, and earn a berth in the 2023 Independence Bowl. They’re looking to build on their success even more this season.
We sat down with their Director of Athletic Performance to find out how the team is using the data to make better coaching decisions. You can download the interview below.
Max Speed: The Holy Grail of Explosiveness
Max speed, often referred to as top-end speed, is the maximum velocity an athlete can achieve while sprinting. In fact, it seems like NFL players get faster every year, either at the combine, or checking the numbers during a game.
It’s a critical attribute in football, as it determines how fast a player can cover the field during offensive and defensive plays. Sports performance coaches collaborate with athletes to not only enhance their max speed but also sustain it throughout the game.
Sports Performance Tracking Technology
Modern sports performance tracking technology is revolutionizing the way coaches and athletes approach training. Cutting-edge wearable devices like PERFORM GPS Pro provide real-time data on an athlete’s movements, including speed, acceleration, deceleration, and changes in direction. This wealth of data allows coaches to delve deep into an athlete’s performance, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
The KINEXON GPS Pro system allows coaches to use player relative max speeds to keep player performance on track throughout a grueling football season. These numbers can easily be adjusted and monitored to keep all players available on the field. Using max speeds also gives all players a tangible metric to encourage constant competition among teammates to push one another.
Setting Max Speed Benchmarks for Practice
Establishing max speed benchmarks is a fundamental strategy performance coaches employ to gauge an athlete’s progress. By recording baseline max speeds and gradually increasing intensity and effort during training, athletes can consistently surpass their previous limits. This approach builds confidence and fosters a sense of accomplishment that drives players to push their boundaries continuously.
Tracking Max Speed with Speed Zones
Another valuable concept is tracking Max Speed with Speed Zones. Research suggests that practicing at around 80 – 90% of an athlete’s max speed can yield optimal results in terms of skill acquisition, muscle memory, and injury prevention.
Performance tracking technology enables coaches to monitor whether players are hitting this sweet spot during practice. Coaches can establish their own percentages for each speed zone to help track whether athletes are eclipsing or exceeding specific zones throughout a practice or a game. This data-driven approach ensures that athletes are honing their skills effectively and not overexerting themselves during training sessions.
Coaches have the ability to establish Speed Zones based on position and the entire team with performance benchmarks that provide valuable insights after each practice session or game. The flexibility to adjust Speed Zones throughout the week or the entire season can help minimize overloading athletes leading up to game day, resulting in fresh legs leading up to kickoff.
Optimize Practices Leading Up to Game Day
Integrating max speed benchmarks into practice routines is a game-changer — coaches strategically design drills and exercises aimed at helping athletes hit specific max speed targets. Players are better prepared to execute plays at their peak performance on the field by simulating game scenarios and fine-tuning techniques under controlled conditions.
Motivate Your Players With Sports Data
Beyond its analytical advantages, sports performance tracking technology serves as a powerful motivational tool. Athletes can visualize their progress over time, celebrating milestones and witnessing firsthand how their hard work translates into tangible improvements. Moreover, coaches can use this data to motivate players individually, compare performance across different positions, and foster healthy competition within the team.
In the ever-evolving landscape of football, the synergy between performance coaches and cutting-edge technology has ushered in a new era of athleticism. Max Speed benchmarks, powered by performance tracking technology, provide a scientific framework for enhancing speed and agility, critical attributes for success on the gridiron.
As coaches and athletes continue to harness the potential of this approach, we can expect even more exciting advancements in the realm of sports performance. So, the next time you watch a football game, remember that behind every spectacular play is a harmonious blend of human dedication and technological innovation.
If you’re interested in learning more about our GPS-based sports performance tracking technology and player tracking systems from our experts, don’t hesitate to contact us or schedule a meeting. Or download the brochure below.
More stories
What Data and Insights Does Connected Ball Technology Provide?
Author: Daniel Linke, PhD
Adidas recently announced that the official ball for EURO 2024 will use connected ball technology at the men’s and women’s UEFA EURO tournaments. It provides real-time data and insights on the position, motion, and status of the ball. But what data and insights does this provide? Let’s find out.
How Much Do KINEXON PERFORM GPS PRO Wearable Sensors Weigh?
One of the most important criteria for wearable sensors is that they should be lightweight and comfortable, while still providing the sports data analytics that coaches and trainers need. KINEXON PERFORM GPS Pro wearables fit the bill, but how light are they, really? Let’s find out.
What Volleyball Analytics Can Coaches Get from KINEXON PERFORM IMU?
More and more coaches and players are implementing volleyball analytics to help improve their game. And they’re using Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) to gain an edge. So, let’s explain what the IMU is, the metrics it provides, and which ones should matter most to volleyball coaches.
Savino Del Bene Scandicci Volleyball Selected as Third KINEXON and AWS Flagship Team
Savino Del Bene Scandicci is among Italy’s best women’s volleyball teams and competes on an international level, in the highest European competitions. Alongside other teams and clubs from different parts of the world in various sports like Florida State University, Viktoria Berlin and TSG Hoffenheim, the team is joining forces with KINEXON and AWS and embrace technology with clear goals in mind. Let’s dive in.
How Hockey Advanced Statistics Are Changing The Game On Every Level
In ice hockey, advanced statistics are an incredibly powerful tool. They can unlock the secrets of the sport. From the ability to track a player’s individual performance to developing team strategies, advanced stats can help teams make better decisions and gain a competitive edge. Let’s find out how.
Why Are KINEXON Sports Vests a Vital Part of Player Tracking?
In sports, advanced technologies are becoming increasingly instrumental in enhancing player performance and strategy. The introduction of sports vests has helped tremendously in the gathering of data. The reason? When equipped with a player tracking wearable sensor, sports vests make collecting sports performance data incredibly easy.
How Football Coaches Can Use Sports Performance Data to Peak During Bowl Season
As the bowl season draws near, the role of sports performance tracking technology becomes pivotal. For coaches, strategically balancing weekly training schedules and the demands of game day must be top-of-mind to secure the best opportunity to land a bid for a bowl game.
KINEXON Is Helping Teams to Introduce Cycle-Oriented Performance Training in Women’s Sports
When it comes to achieving peak performance in sports, the one-size-fits-all approach falls short. With the rise of individualized training regimens, a new area has emerged in women’s sports: performance and team training oriented on players’ menstrual cycle and well-being.
By leveraging the power of KINEXON sports analytics, teams are tapping into a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between the menstrual cycle, personal well-being and athletic prowess.
How Coaches Craft Game Plans from Basketball Shot Data and Performance Metrics
In the bygone era of basketball coaching, the responsibility of tracking and analyzing player statistics fell squarely on the shoulders of coaches. Assessing shot charts, dissecting practice drills, and developing game strategies were manual endeavors that required a keen eye and extensive time commitment.
Fast forward to today, where the marriage of performance tracking data and shot statistics can not only alleviate the burden on the coaching staff but also offer a profound, data-driven window into player performance.
Behind the Sports Tech: Why KINEXON’s Player Tracking Wearables Stand Out
KINEXON is known for its use in sports analytics by leveraging wearable sensors to collect data from athletes in real-time. Let’s break down the technology behind the sensors.
How Basketball Coaches Use Sports Performance Tracking Data Leading into Game Day
Earlier this year, we sat down with the University of Colorado’s Steve Englehart, Director of Sports Performance for Olympic Sports, to learn more about how he prepares for the Buffaloes men’s basketball season. His mindset about athlete performance and training methods has evolved with the development of sports performance tracking technology.
Here, we dive deeper into his experience using KINEXON’s PERFORM IMU solution to prepare his team to compete at the highest level for the 2023 – 24 college basketball season.
Florida State Basketball: Women’s Team Dribbles into the Future With KINEXON as the Next AWS Flagship Team
Helping to lead the charge with German lighthouse football club, Viktoria Berlin, Florida State University’s (FSU) Women’s Basketball program is the next flagship team to have joined forces with KINEXON and AWS, challenging the status quo for women athletes in professional and collegiate sports with cutting-edge sports technology – customized to women’s requirements.
What Types of Basketball Shots Can COMPETE Vision Improve?
From layups to three-pointers, the types of shots in basketball that players take continues to evolve. But now coaches can use KINEXON COMPETE Vision to analyze practice and game videos to help improve the shots their players take from anywhere on the floor. Here’s how.
KINEXON Sports Data Journalist Transforming The Handball Bundesliga Viewing Experience
Author: Dave Grendzynski
In the world of sports, a data-driven era is emerging, revealing untold stories beyond the on-field action. KINEXON is leading this transformation in Handball Bundesliga.
And at the heart of it is this season’s game-changing role: the sports data journalist, and Lara Kellermann’s impact in this innovative partnership.
Furman's Director of Basketball Performance, Matt Aldred, Joins KINEXON as an Ambassador
KINEXON is excited to announce the signing of Matt Aldred, Assistant Head Coach and Director of Basketball Performance, as a member of the KINEXON Ambassador Program.