Football requires a great deal of knowledge about the movement and placement of players. But manually tracking their movements can be difficult, even for an experienced coach or a soccer player.
What if you had access to something that could give your team an edge without straining your eyes?
That’s exactly what a football GPS vest provides! Read on to learn more about these powerful tools and determine whether they’re worth every penny.
Table of Contents
- Why Do Football Players Wear GPS Vests?
- Football GPS Vests vs. Football Tracker
- The Best GPS Sports Vests
- Great Alternative GPS Sports Trackers
- What to Look for When Picking the Right GPS Sports Vest
- Summary
Why Do Football Players Wear GPS Vests?
Football players wear high-tech GPS vests during both practices and matches to analyze their physical performance. These sports bras come with advanced GPS sensors that monitor physiological variables such as max speed, heartbeat rate, and energy output.
With this data, coaching personnel can make wise decisions regarding fitness levels, playing time, or even training plans, all while preventing the risk of injuries!
Football girls checking fitness goal progress with a digital tablet
Football GPS Vests vs. Football Tracker
What Features Do Football Trackers Share With GPS Vests?
These devices have the same goal: monitoring training intensity, enhancing player performance, and preventing injury.
They collect data during games or practices and then transfer it to an easy-to-use mobile app for match analysis.
Plus, neither device needs a phone connection while in use; only when it comes time to transfer the data is your help needed.
They’re also incredibly lightweight yet powerful enough that they don’t require charging like most other gadgets do today.
Football GPS Vests vs. Football Tracker: Football Tracking Device Pros
Football trackers hold massive advantages over GPS vests. A soccer tracker can get more detailed foot movement data than the vest’s overall body tracking capabilities.
Plus, they’re much less noticeable and perfect for indoor use – no need to worry about GPS or Wi-Fi interrupting your training session!
They also collect invaluable technical core metrics such as touch count, kick velocity, and possession volume. Furthermore, their game-specific data is highly useful in monitoring improvements over time.
Two soccer players are chasing the ball.
Football GPS Vests vs. Football Tracker: GPS Vest Pros
You can read your field in-depth with a GPS fitness vest. Instantly view maps and analytics of each workout, pinpointing areas where you exerted more effort or put forth different movements.
Some vests are fitted with heart rate monitors for those seeking further insight into their performance levels.
These monitors offer additional impressive statistics about how intensely one pushes themselves during physical activity.
Football GPS Vests vs. Football Tracker: Do You Need Both?
Although having a GPS vest and football tracker is not completely necessary, having double information may be beneficial.
When deciding which device to choose between two, analyze their benefits and if you’ll need it for an indoor setting.
Football trackers are more adaptable because you can use them in outdoor or even indoor situations with detailed technical data.
The most important aspect when playing football lies in how feet interact with the ball. A football tracker is recommended since it can specifically provide vital insight into that category.
American football players in the grand action arena
The Best GPS Sports Vests
CATAPULT ONE GPS Sports Vests
The CATAPULT ONE offers an innovative football tracking experience with its smart pod, vest, and app. Featuring advanced accelerometer sensors fused with GPS technology, the smart pod propels athletes to success by providing them with detailed performance statistics.
The ultra-compressive fabric of the accompanying smart vest ensures comfort while providing security.
Pros
- Equipped with advanced accelerometer sensors
- Captures 10 times more data
- Made from ultra-compressive fabric
- The app includes target zones, positional heatmaps, and a “match to a pro” feature.
- Set up is simple and quick
- Includes a free one-year CATAPULT ONE membership
Cons
- Interpreting performance is difficult
- Customer service has received complaints of slow response
STATSports APEX Athlete Series
The FIFA-approved STATSports Apex Athlete Series is the ultimate performance tracker for football and rugby.
With sixteen metrics, including total distance run, maximum speed achieved, number of sprints completed, and heatmaps created, the possibilities are endless!
There’s also the unique “Pro Score” feature, where American football players can compare their live data with friends.
Pros
- FIFA-approved GPS tracker
- Offers 16 key metrics
- Unique “Pro Score” feature
- Used by professional athletes
- It helps players understand their stats and improve their game
Cons
- Outdoor use only
- Expensive
Great Alternative GPS Sports Trackers
Playermaker Smart Soccer Tracker Analyzer
The Playermaker Smart Soccer Tracker Analyzer is a groundbreaking tool for soccer athletes of all levels.
It utilizes sensors to record performance effortlessly and accurately, providing users with physical and technical data to hone their skillset.
Pros
- This system delivers a distinct set of metrics without the need for GPS
- Suitable both indoors and outdoors
- lightweight materials, very comfortable to wear
- You can share your progress with coaches, friends, and family
Cons
- You have to pay a yearly subscription fee that will auto-renew at the same rate as the original purchase amount.
- There have been complaints about customer service being unhelpful
SOCCERBEE LITE GPS Wearable Tracker and Vest for Soccer Players
The SOCCERBEE LITE GPS Wearable Tracker and Vest is a groundbreaking way for soccer players to track their performance on the field. It provides detailed data, including distance run, top speed, number of sprints, heat map, etc.
Pros
- Provides professional analysis
- Equipped with a powerful machine-learning algorithm
- Physical metrics such as distance run, top speed, sprints, etc.
- Easily track your data.
- The process of transferring data takes only two minutes
Cons
- The vest only comes in an “M” size, so it may not be suitable for all users.
- Some people might find navigating through its app or
What to Look for When Picking the Right GPS Sports Vest
Soccer Football Training Vest
Product Features
When picking a GPS vest, it’s essential to assess its features. Search for vests with advanced sensors and analytical data to track performance metrics precisely.
Furthermore, ensure the vest has at least eight measurements, such as total distance run, maximum speed reached, sprint distance accomplished, and position heat maps for optimal use.
Price
GPS vests come at various prices, from budget-friendly to more expensive models. If you want the best data and the highest level of analysis, it may be worth investing a bit extra for an upgraded vest with premium features.
Battery life
When acquiring a GPS vest for your training and matches, prioritize its battery life. After all, the device must remain charged throughout every game or session you engage in; no one wants their GPS vest dying during an important match!
To guarantee this worry-free experience, look for models with batteries that stay powered for up to 8 hours or longer.
WFootball GPS Vest: Storage
When selecting a vest, remember to consider the data storage capacity of the device. Choose one with ample space for storing your data and multiple ways of accessing it.
WFootball GPS Vest: Comfort
Comfort is a key element when deciding on the right GPS vest. Therefore, we suggest you purchase one with ultra-compressive fabric such as the CATAPULT ONE’s. Not only will this assure comfort but also safety.
WFootball GPS Vest: eight
Above all else, consider the weight of a GPS vest. The heavier they are, the more likely you won’t be comfortable; worse yet, it will hinder your performance.
For optimal comfort and satisfaction while playing, choose a lightweight vest with less bulk for maximum ease!
Summary
GPS vests are the perfect solution for football teams that want to monitor their football players’ performance accurately.
Analyze all aspects of GPS vest use by your team, such as costs and privacy issues that could arise from wearing them during games.
By doing this initial research and assessment, you can ensure any potential security risks or interferences won’t be a problem when utilizing GPS vests on game day.
