As the leading brand in soccer and a true performance brand, it makes perfect sense for adidas to launch a product like miCoach Elite. No other brand in history has covered the pitch and increased player performance like adidas.

This first and one-of-a-kind product:

• Tracks total training impact

• Provides rich, real-time insights for training

• Is easy to use/manage

• Provides true performance monitoring

From a technology perspective, the custom software connects four component-types:

• Wearable sensor system transmits athlete data in real-time

• Native iPad application

• JAVA base station

• Cloud-based data analysis and web interface

The data generated from these components tells a unique story in two chapters: 1) on-field data capture and collection. 2) how that data is aggregated and displayed both on-field and on the web:

1) Player data from the pods – heart-rate, speed, distance, acceleration/deceleration, field position – is collected at a very detailed level and is transmitted and stored in our sideline base station. Our unique approach to data capture allows for a very detailed cut of all data. This is the “content” to our story.

2) The narrative comes to life via the algorithms we apply to the data. We evaluate and filter the hard data to create a story about Player Efficiency, Relative Power, Overall Training Impact, and Peak Target Zones. The outputs are displayed in simple-to-understand visuals – a key User Experience need that was identified during our early User Journey and Discovery work. Coaches and trainers need simple, easy-to-read displays and summaries.

We can archive these stories. One of the benefits of the product is the fact that you can compare an individual’s performance over time (days/weeks/months/seasons) and against other players. This gives coaches a unique and clear picture of his team’s overall state of affairs.

A beta version miCoach Elite was featured at the 2012 Major League Soccer All-Star Game in July 2012. The final product was shipped to the MLS as well as several major European Premiere League and Federation teams between March and May 2013.

And that’s just the beginning...

adidas will look to expand the consumption and distribution of this data throughout 2014 and beyond, offering fans a view of their favorite teams in ways they’ve never experienced.

Future plans for the product are proprietary, but here are a few things we can share:

• All Major League Soccer clubs are using the product, as well as several European Premiere League and Federation teams. And we'll continue to provide additional teams with the miCoach Elite System

• Providing fans real time access to player data - either in the stands on their mobile devices or in their homes thru key broadcast partnerships and second screen devices

• Other professional sports leagues could be next!