When you watch women’s soccer today, you might notice players wearing what looks like sports bras over their jerseys. These aren’t ordinary sports gear. They’re smart GPS vests that help make players better at their game.
Let’s break down how these amazing GPS vest devices are changing the way soccer ladies train and play.
What’s a GPS Vest and Why Do Players Wear It?
A GPS vest looks a lot like a sports bra with a special pocket in the back. Female soccer players wear these vests during practice and games. In that pocket, they put a small device (about the size of a small phone) that sits between their shoulder blades.
This device watches everything a player does on the field. The GPS vest counts every step, every run, and every jump. When a player sprints down the field to score a goal, the GPS records how fast she ran. When she jumps to head the ball, it measures that, too.
Now, some of the best female coaches, like Sonia Bompastor, use these vests in their coaching. The GPS shows a coach exactly what’s happening with each player. Before GPS vests, coaches had to guess how tired players were just by looking at them. Now, they can see real numbers that tell them how hard each player is working.
Players wear these vests in every practice and every game. The vest feels like normal training gear. It doesn’t get in the way when players run, kick, or jump. Most players say they forget they’re even wearing it after a few minutes.
The information from these vests helps keep players healthy, too. If someone is working too hard and might get tired or hurt, the GPS numbers will show this. Then, coaches can give that player a rest before anything goes wrong.
How the GPS Vest Actually Works
The GPS in these vests works just like the GPS in a phone or car, but it’s made specifically for soccer players. Here’s what happens when a player puts on her GPS vest.
Once she starts moving, the GPS device starts talking to satellites way up in space. These satellites are like tiny watchers in the sky that can see exactly where the player is on the field at all times.
Every time a player moves, the GPS records it. When she sprints down the field, the device measures her speed. When she walks back to position, it records that too. It even knows when she suddenly changes direction to dodge another player.
The device also keeps track of how long players run and how hard their bodies are working. It’s like having a fitness tracker but much more detailed. When a player is running hard, the GPS shows her heart is working hard, too.
All this information goes straight to the coaches’ computers on the sideline. They can see right away if someone is running more than usual or if they’re not running as fast as they normally do. This helps coaches make smart choices about when to give players a rest or when they can handle more exercise.
Where Does the GPS Sit in the Soccer Vest?
Let me tell you about where female football players keep their GPS devices and why it’s super important. When female soccer players wear their GPS trackers, they put them in a special pocket that sits right between their shoulder blades (the flat part of your upper back between your shoulders).
This spot is perfect because when players are running up and down the field, they don’t even feel it’s there. The shoulder blade spot is really smart for a few reasons.
First, when players are running after the ball or sprinting to score a goal, the GPS doesn’t bounce around or get in their way. They can move freely without feeling like something is weighing them down or getting in the way of their movements.
Another great thing about putting the GPS between the shoulder blades is that it stays safe during rough play. Soccer can get pretty physical, with players bumping into each other and tackling for the ball. By keeping the GPS high up on the back, it doesn’t get hit when players crash into each other or when someone tries to steal the ball.
The GPS needs to talk to satellites way up in space to work properly. Having it on the upper back helps because nothing is blocking its signal. If the GPS was on the arm or leg, it might not work as well because buildings or other things might get in the way of the signal.
Sometimes, soccer players fall. The shoulder blade spot is perfect because if a player falls backward or gets pushed down, the GPS is protected by the special vest it sits in. It won’t dig into their back or hurt them when they hit the ground.
About the GPS Vest
Now, let’s talk about the special vest that holds the GPS. It’s super important that these vests feel comfortable because players wear them during entire games and practice sessions. The designers made sure to make them as comfy as possible.
These GPS vests are incredibly light. You’d be surprised how little they weigh. When female soccer players pick them up, they often say it feels as light as picking up a feather. This is important because players don’t want to feel like they’re carrying extra weight when they’re trying to run fast on the field.
The material used in these vests is really stretchy, just like a sports bra. This stretchiness is important because players need to move their arms and twist their bodies a lot during a game. The vest moves with them instead of feeling stiff or restrictive. Whether they’re jumping to head the ball or reaching out to make a pass, the vest stretches and moves with their body.
Getting dressed quickly is important for soccer players, especially if they need to change during a game. These vests are designed to be super easy to put on and take off. Players can slip them on over their heads and be ready to go in seconds. There aren’t any complicated straps or buttons to deal with.
One of the best things about these vests is that players forget they’re even wearing them during the game. The vest fits so well and stays in place so perfectly that it doesn’t get in the way when players are running, jumping, kicking, or making any other moves on the field. It’s like wearing a second skin that you can’t even feel.
This clever GPS vest design helps soccer players focus on what’s important: playing their best game without having to worry about their soccer tracking device getting in the way or getting damaged.
Who Uses GPS Vests in Soccer?
GPS vests help players and coaches track how players move during games and practice.
Let’s look at who uses them and why they’re important.
Professional Female Soccer Teams
Most women’s soccer teams use GPS vests now. Teams like the USA team and Barcelona use them every day. When you watch a professional women’s game, the players wear these vests under their team shirts.
Players say practice feels different without the vests now – they’re used to knowing exactly how far they run and how fast they move. The vests have become just another part of their regular training gear, like shin guards or cleats.
Rising Soccer Girls
Young soccer players in training academies are starting to use these vests, too. The vests help them learn more about soccer in a more expansive and clear way.
When young players wear GPS vests, they can see exactly how much they’re running and moving. It’s like getting a report card for their exercise. The vests tell them when they need to rest and when they can work harder. This helps them train the right way as they grow.
How GPS Makes You a Better Female Soccer Player
The GPS vests give players and coaches important information that helps improve training and games.
Below are the benefits of using a GPS vest as a female soccer player.
Train Smarter
The GPS vest shows coaches exactly what’s happening with each player’s body. It tells them when players are tired and need a break or when they can handle more running. This helps players train the right amount (not too much and not too little).
The GPS vest tells coaches when a player is running low on energy and when they’re ready to go again. This helps players stay healthy while getting better at soccer.
During Games
During soccer matches, GPA vests give coaches useful information. They show which players are getting tired and might need to come out of the game. Coaches look at the numbers on their tablets and know exactly who needs a rest.
This helps teams make better choices about when to switch players. Instead of guessing who’s tired, coaches can look at the real numbers from the GPS vest.
Prevent Injuries
The vests help prevent injuries. When a player starts running differently than normal, the GPS numbers show this right away. This tells coaches that the player may need some rest.
The GPS also shows when players are working too hard. If someone has run more than usual, coaches can give them a break before they get too tired. This stops players from getting hurt because they’re doing too much.
After a game, the GPS tells coaches how much rest each player needs. Some players might need one day to feel better, while others might need two or three. The vest helps coaches make the right choice for each player.
Team Benefits
Teams do better when they use GPS vests. Players stay healthier during the season because coaches know when to rest them. When players stay healthy, the team wins more games.
The vests also help teams stay strong during long tournaments. Coaches can see which players still have energy and which ones need rest. This means the whole team plays better, especially in important games at the end of tournaments.
What Does the GPS Vest Numbers Show
The GPS vests tell us exactly what players do during games. The GPS vest numbers are pretty amazing.
Soccer players usually run between 10 and 12 kilometers in one game. That’s like running around 100 football fields! They also sprint about 20 to 30 times each game, running as fast as someone riding a bike.
Players change direction hundreds of times during a game. The GPS shows they can run faster than 25 kilometers per hour when they sprint. And that’s faster than most people can ride a bike!
Makes Training Fun and Safe
The GPS vests help make training more interesting and safer for players. Here’s how.
Personal Goals
Players use the GPS numbers to set goals for themselves. It helps them try to run faster than they did last week or cover more distance than they did in their last game. The numbers help them see when they’re getting better.
Team Challenges
Teams use the GPS numbers to make fun training games. Players might see who can run the fastest that day or who can keep running the longest. But coaches make sure no one tries too hard just to win these little contests.
Growing the Game
GPS vests are making women’s soccer better in many ways. They show how hard players work during games. Sometimes running more than 12 kilometers! This helps people understand that women’s soccer players are serious athletes who train very hard.
The vests also help teams train in smarter ways. Players stay healthier, play better, and can have longer careers because coaches know exactly how much training is right for each person.
A small vest with a GPS device helps players stay healthy, train better, and show everyone just how amazing women’s soccer is. That’s what makes these vests so important in today’s women’s game.
Final Whistle
GPS vests have become a big part of women’s soccer today. These special vests, with their small tracking device between the shoulder blades, help players and coaches in many ways. They track how far and fast players run, tell coaches when players need rest, and help stop injuries before they happen. The vests are light, comfortable, and easy to wear – players often forget they have them on.
From professional female soccer teams to young girls players in training, these vests are helping make the game better, safer, and smarter for everyone who plays.
