After hearing so many good things about the Playermaker soccer tracker, I finally have my hands on one, and today I am going to give you a complete review of this unique piece of equipment.
If you haven’t heard of this product or don’t know too much about it, then let me quickly explain what we are talking about.
The Playermaker is a wearable tracker for soccer players. It straps around your foot and tracks soccer-specific metrics throughout a training session or game. After a session, you can connect your Playermaker smart sensors to an app that displays metrics enabling you to comprehensively review your performance.
In this review, I’ll do a deep dive into the specifics and capabilities of this latest soccer tech.
I’ll show you:
- The benefits of using the Playermaker,
- How it feels in a real-world scenario,
- The advantages of this particular tracker over others,
- and why you should consider using one.
Let’s get started!!
Playermaker Wearable Tracker Overview
The company behind this product talk about how the Playermaker uses its ability to track physical and technical soccer metrics to seamlessly turn your cleats into “smart cleats”.
Using some really clever technology, Playermaker measures foot-to-ball interaction with a smart sensor attached to each foot.
These sensors have a built-in gyroscope and accelerometer that samples movement events at 1000 times/sec!
This incredible level of sensitivity allows the measurement of almost every micro-movement your feet make, from the impact of your foot on the ball to the angle of rotation of each foot as it moves.
Using the Playermaker is also really simple.
- First, you strap the smart sensors to your feet before a game or training session.
- Next, once you’re finished, you connect the sensors to the Playermaker app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Then you can review all the stats and metrics to see how you performed. And even share the results with others if you like.
In the video below, you can see how easy it is to put on your cleats.
Find out more on the PlayerMaker Website
Items Included with the Playermaker
When you purchase the Playermaker, it comes equipped with the following:
- a user guide,
- Uno case,
- right and left straps,
- right and left smart sensors,
- and a charging cable.
The Playermaker is suited for both soccer cleats and artificial turf shoes, regardless of shoe size.
Purchasing a Playermaker also gives you:
- More than 15 different soccer metrics
- Sharing functions
- The capability of charging with a USB cable
- Sensors covered with durable silicone straps
- Choice of gray or black straps
- and the choice of medium or large straps
What exact metrics does the Playermaker track?
The Playermaker tracks everything from ball control (touch, release, possessions) to playing tempo (one-touch, short/long possessions, avg. duration on the ball, etc.), possession types, tech balance, and much more.
Here’s the full list of everything the Playermaker tracks:
Volume
- Distance Covered
- Sprint Distance
- Work Rate
Speed
- Top Speed
- Sprints
- Acceleration
- Deceleration
Playing Tempo
- One-Touch
- Short Possessions
- Long Possessions
Technical Balance
- Touch by Leg
- Received by leg
- Kicking Velocity
Involvement
- Touches
- Ball Releases
- Possessions
I really like that I can see these stats that are specific to my interactions with the soccer ball.
When it comes to speed, for example, I can check in on my sprints, as well as my accelerations and decelerations on the field.
It’s key to understand this if I want to up my tempo in games.
Also, the volume category lets me monitor my distance and endurance when it comes to soccer conditioning skills. I can easily access data for sprint distances, total distance covered, and work rate.
Having this data helps to make adjustments to my performance based on facts rather than outside opinions.
One technical aspect that I really like about this tool is that it tracks both my dominant and my weak foot.
The Playermaker assesses the discrepancies between my two feet, keying me into data that shows me which foot is performing better and how I can improve my other foot.
Not only does this device allow me to access all of this tracking data, but I can also look at my progress over time in a chart and see my results as I progress.
If you want, you can even compare your metrics to elite soccer players and see how well you stack up against them! (Just don’t be too disappointed if you’re not quite at their level yet!)
This is potentially a game changer for players looking to set goals and reach them with practical steps that they can monitor day-to-day.
Check out the video below to find out how an MLS soccer club used the Playermaker to take their academy players up to the first-team level.
How the Playermaker Feels to Wear
Something that I care a lot about when it comes to my gear is how it feels.
Comfort and ergonomics are just as important as functionality when it comes to wearable sports technology. If something is uncomfortable and is negatively impacting your game when you wear it, then it is not worth your time or money.
One of the cool things about this tracker is that it’s designed with comfort in mind.
Rather than having to place it on my back or wear it on uncomfortable areas of my body, I can attach it to my cleats. This is markedly different from the vest soccer GPS trackers that I have reviewed in the past. (And I’ll look at how the GPS trackers compare to these in more detail in a moment)
The Playermaker practically goes unnoticed when I’m playing and doesn’t distract me from what’s most important – my performance.
Many Playermaker wearers even note that they forget they’re even wearing this tracker while it’s in use, and I agree with their assessment. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised when it only weighs 6 grams!
It’s one of the only wearable soccer trackers that combines both comfort and soccer-specific stats.
The Advantages of Using a Playermaker
Next, I want to discuss why Playermaker is notably better than other tracker options for soccer players.
I know all too well how products get hyped up but are just as, if not less, functional than market competitor products.
That’s why I’ve made sure to pay attention to the areas where Playermaker really steps it up compared to other wearable trackers.
- Designed with durability in mind (can withstand the roughest playing conditions)
- Suitable for both amateur and elite players
- Suitable for all ages (kids and adults)
- Designed with discrete comfort in mind (I don’t have to wear it on my back, chest, or wrist)
- Tracks specific soccer metrics, like possessions, ball touches, strong/weak foot, etc., which other trackers like FitBit do not
- Tracking helps boost power, agility, ball control, and speed skills
- Ability to review metrics over the last 6-12 months, as well as metrics for games
- USB charging cable lets me easily recharge the sensors on the go, even in the car
- Sensors have indicator lights to easily understand the status
Benefits of Using Playermaker
In my use, I found a lot of benefits of using Playermaker to track my soccer performance.
General Benefits
Not only can I monitor and review my metrics on and off the field, I can also share my results and compare my progress with fellow players.
This keeps me competitive and eager to meet my goals for volume, speed, involvement, and other metrics.
The Playermaker is also water-resistant and can be used in all weather conditions.
Soccer.com provide a great little video on how well it works here:
Find out more on the PlayerMaker Website
Quality Assurances
Aside from the general benefits of this being one of the most effective performance trackers on the market, my purchase also came with a lot of assurances, too.
I know firsthand how easy it is to get caught up in rough play, inclement weather, and/or unexpected things when I’m on the field. And I want to feel assured that my product isn’t going to fail on me or that I at least have a backup plan in place if something should happen to my gear.
So a huge draw-in for me was the fact that there is a one-year warranty on the hardware of the device and charging case.
I also get a 30-day money-back guarantee with my purchase from Playermaker, who are willing to assist me in customer support whenever I need it.
Versatility Factor
Additionally, this tracker is incredibly versatile.
I can wear it on various surfaces, like artificial turf, grass, concrete, or even the gym floor when I’m practicing off the field.
I can also feel safe wearing it when I’m playing rough or when I’m just practicing – it’s truly multipurpose.
Likeability
Further, Playermaker is approved by professional soccer players around the world, and it’s duly recommended for professional use.
It’s garnered a lot of 5-star reviews from sources like the LA Football Club, with customers like me noting the comfort of the tracker’s placement.
It’s also well-liked for its educational ability – I can truly learn a lot about my skills and weaknesses when I’m wearing this tracker.
In that sense, it’s also beneficial for coaches who want to monitor their players and assess improvement strategies for touches, possessions, and other soccer skills.
How Playermaker Compares to GPS Soccer Trackers
As I’m sure you’re aware, there are a number of different soccer trackers available to purchase.
They all offer different experiences and have different advantages and disadvantages.
One of the key differences between the Playermaker and the others is that almost all the others rely on GPS tracking to assess your performance and provide the metrics.
This is useful in specific circumstances, such as when you want to see location-based stats, such as a heat map of your position during a game and how fast you are moving. But is limited in many other ways. (If you do want this specific capability, then check out my review of the best GPS Soccer trackers.)
For example, a GPS tracker can tell you how much distance you covered during a game but not how much of that time you were in possession of the ball. The Playermaker can tell you this.
And the GPS can track your movement OK outdoors, but as soon as you try and use it indoors, the signal is less reliable as the roof of the building will interfere with the quality of the connection.
The Playmaker doesn’t have this problem.
GPS trackers that you wear over your chest or around your wrist are also not capable of giving you any information about the following:
- What your feet are doing
- How often you’re kicking the ball
- Your kick velocity
- Your balance with and without the ball
- The number of touches you have taken during a game
Considering that what you do in possession of the ball is one of the most important parts of your performance, it is a huge advantage to have this information available.
Price of the Playermaker and Its Value
Having looked at what the Playermaker does, it’s important to ask if it is worth it for the price.
The truth is that Playermaker is a pricey piece of sports technology, but I think it has a lot to show for itself.
The Playermaker costs $199.00. This price includes the smart sensors, straps, USB cable, and a one-year subscription to the Playermaker UNO app.
Playermaker reaches into the more expensive side of wearable trackers. However, given the warranty that comes with it, the wealth of information it provides, as well as the included gear and accessories, I think it’s well worth the extra cost.
I find that this tracker helps me to improve my game in areas that other trackers might not, and I can rest assured that it will last a long time.
Furthermore, Playermaker is often running sales on this tracker, making the value for the price even more worthwhile. Check out their website here to see what sale they are running right now.
And if you use the coupon code: yoursoccer when you purchase one through their website, they will automatically apply a $40 discount!
The Consensus – Why I Think Playermaker Is Worth Buying
At the end of the day, I’m recommending the Playermaker wearable tracker for soccer players for its value, functionality, and capabilities that go beyond traditional trackers.
I’ve evaluated it based on comfort level, durability, and soccer-specific tracking functions so that I can determine how useful it is for professional and amateur soccer players alike.
It’s the best tracker at the moment to offer soccer-specific metrics, with over 15 stats (possessions, touches, speed, distance, etc.), and it’s really easy to set up and use.
Furthermore, I like that I get my money’s worth with a 1-year warranty, money-back guarantees, and included accessories, charger, and case.
Although the price is somewhat steep for a wearable tracker, I recommend trying out the Playermaker since it exceeds the norm and will last a long time.
Click here to go straight to their website, or click the button below.
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