Seeing as we have ads on the home page for them, I thought it would be an apporopriate time to bring up this topic..

http://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/adidas-unveils-micoach-speed-cell-tracker-1036849

Has anyone actually gone out and bought one of these things? Initially I was discouraged by the fact that to wear them inside your boots, you would need to spend $350 for the f50s that can fit the speed cell inside, but I found out that there is a lace clip for those of us without that sort of money to spend on boots..

The device is quite good, I haven't had any problems with it. I went for a few jogs to test it out and since then I've been using it every week at indoor soccer. I was pleased to learn that I am faster than Scott Jamieson (Gary Cole if you are reading this, I am a free agent) and I think I'll learn a lot from it when I test it out in full game situations.. in the meantime it has definitely encouraged me to exercise more and take an interest in the statistics.

Has anyone got one of these and used it to maximise their performances?

As a sidenote, I've been told adidas will release other boots that are more affordable and that, like the f50s, can accommodate the speed cell.

Haven't used it yet Reedy, I'm too old!!!

I can remember some maximum speeds of A League players using similar technology recorded in a game.

Travis Dodd 34 KPH

Craig Moore, Reinaldo 29KPH

Matt McKay 26kph.


How fast are you, Dirk?

How fast is Scott Jamieson?





Edited by Decentric: 9/2/2012 07:57:59 AM

looks good.

Decentric.. I've cracked 29km/h and Scott Jamieson was 27 I think.. when they were released in Australia FourFourTwo did an article about it and he was testing them out.. I reckon I can go faster as well, should be able to crack 30 once I'm in full swing of football season.

11.mvfc.11 - I had the same concerns.. but I've been playing indoor with the dongle attached on the laceclip and haven't had any problems, I've definitely hit some hard shots too.. although I keep it on my left foot (right footer) cause I hit harder with my right.. I will feel much more comfortable when the dongle is actually in the compartment under my foot but yeah haven't had any problems so not worried about it breaking or anything.

I think it is a great tool for individual development.
But i would not use it to select players, it does not even tell part of the story when it comes to player ability.

Definitely, no question about that.
One of my mates was having a go at me when I had only ran 2.5km saying I should have done at least 3km.. but where he got that figure from I have no idea.. besides, maybe I was making intelligent runs and not running around like a headless chicken.. Xavi covered 12km in the World Cup final I think, but you can guarantee most of his running was intelligent, I reckon it's important for any running to be into good spaces, offering yourself for passes etc. Must take that into consideration.
I also said for me it was more important that my intensity was maintained throughout the game, which the stats reflected.. as you say, it's more about the individual improvement that makes the device interesting.

great tool for statistical evaluation.

i'm currently doing an intern with an AFL club as a sports scientist and statistical analyst and the technology we use there is very similar to the SpeedCell tracker the Adidas is now using.

I'm nt too familiar with the program though. Reedy, what exactly does the SpeedCell track?
- number of sprints
- top speed
- distance covered
- average speed

just examples.

one problem with it is it is only useful with adidas boots.
great boots but they offer very little protection for young skilled players playing up against not so skilled older players.
JMO