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Welcome to the first part of our three-part series in association with our friends at adidas. During this series we will be putting the adidas F50 boots and miCoach Speed_Cell technology through their paces as amateur footballers do battle in a series of tests. The revolutionary miCoach Speed_Cell records your match stats, including your pace and distance covered. Once you have uploaded your details onto your computer, you can compare your stats with your friends and team-mates. You will be finding out how you stack up versus your mates when it comes to those vital match day stats! This month, we see two Victorian amateurs compete in a series of drills, all under the watchful eye of Melbourne Victory star Isaka Cernak.

This is what Cernak had to say ahead of the challenges…

How important is speed in modern football?
It’s massive. The way we play now is all about counter-attacks and the quicker you are the quicker your chances of scoring goals. You see the best players in the world are usually the fastest.

So, who is the fastest player at Melbourne Victory?
He’s standing in front of you right now.

What do you specifically work on to make yourself so quick?
At Melbourne Victory we have lots of specific gym drills. Mostly squats and lunges which build up the legs. We mix it up with explosive work like runs in-between sets.

Now, onto what the lads said about each challenge…

Challenge 1
Dribble circuit – players had to dribble the ball through a designated route through a series of three cones – they each had three attempts with their best time counting.

Isaka
“Nick is taking a technical approach to it making sure he’s staying close. I like that, nice little touches. Wade’s definitely gone for pace. Both have different styles but in terms of speed, the secret is working out when you need close touches and when you need to get the ball out of your feet and run with it. They’ve both got nice touches, but we’ll see what happens.”

Nick
“I don’t think I did that well! I’ll do it next time, that was just the first time!”

Wade
“I loved it. My style was to open up the ball a bit more so I can run more while Nick had it a bit closer to the body. I saw him do it first but wanted to try something different.”

 

Challenge 2
Football sprints – two sprint challenges over 10m and 25m – players had to chase a ball which Isaka served in front of them. First to reach the ball and finish in the goal won the point. Five sprints of 10m and five sprints of 25m.

Isaka
“They were pretty quick. Nick is getting there but Wade is still killing it. Tips for Nick would be in his starting, first five metre reaction time up.”

Wade
“It’s just sprints and it seems I was quicker than I first thought. The boots, they’re quite light, like a feather. I’m ready for the next drill. Now I’m really focused on taking it home.”

Nick
“It was pretty challenging but Wade got me there. The boots are mad though. I feel good. They are very comfortable and very light too – I’m impressed. The pressure is on here though, I need something. I’m ready for the next drill.”

Next page for the final challenge and the data results…

Challenge 3
1 vs 1 challenge – players had to sprint from half-way around the perimeter of the 1 vs 1 court entering the court through their goal. As the players entered the court Isaka then served the ball into play – players then played 1 vs 1 until a goal was scored or the ball goes dead. Best of five serves.

Isaka
“It looks like Wade took it out again.But it was close this time and there were some nice touches and some good speed around the corners.”

Nick
“It’s pretty hard, but I have to give it to Wade. He killed it. Well done, man.”

Wade
“Nick wasn’t moving much so I thought I might try and sell him a few dummies but he still held his ground. He was tough but in the end I got it through.”

 

Data Results

Challenge Results

Nick
Dribble circuit 18.2 sec
10m football sprint 0
25m football sprint 1
1 vs 1 challenge 0

Wade
Dribble circuit 16.7 sec
10m football sprint 4
25m football sprint 3
1 vs 1 challenge 2


Isaka
“Honestly, it’s a massive innovation. To have so much personal data is quality. The data showed they were quick and worked hard. It’s quality that adidas have this and now all footballers can have it too. The way it’s put out is really easy to read and it shows you everything you need.”

Nick
“It’s mad as. I’ve never seen a program like that before. Seeing ourselves, how well we did and what we need to improve in is good to see. I was pretty happy with the stats but I guess Wade was just a bit too good. It’s very good. I couldn’t feel the chip inside the boot. And the boot’s really light too. The boots are mad, they feel so good.”

Wade
“I couldn’t believe it. It’s amazing what technology can do. Normally you have those stupid speed guns watching you. Now you have these small things in your boots to make life so much easier. I didn’t think such a small chip could record so much stuff. You don’t feel it’s there – I’m being serious, you don’t know it’s there. You can’t feel it at all. It’s a great idea. I’ve loved today. Never forget it.”

 

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