PLAYR, the world’s first SmartCoach wearable system is now available in the U.S. market. Catapult Sports, the maker of SmartCoach, enjoyed a successful launch of the product in Europe earlier this year. PLAYR’s unrivaled technology, which combines the latest GPS technology with personalized sports science advice, will provide competitive club soccer players with the insight and tools to train, prepare, recover and play just like the world’s elite.
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PLAYR is an advanced tracking system that records up to 1,200 movements per second, making it the only soccer wearable system that combines GPS heat maps – showing sprint, distance and speed data – with a unique real-time SmartCoach app, created in partnership with the help of Premier League performance specialists.
The system allows consumers to benchmark their match and training data against the greatest players in the world, as well as their soccer peers and community.
“There are 3 million elite aspirer players and more than 40 million FIFA registered competitive soccer players worldwide. We designed PLAYR with them in mind and helping them train and play like the world’s elite. For the first time, PLAYR will help enhance their skills and performance with the same technology previously only available for elite teams,” said Benoit Simeray, Consumer CEO of Catapult.
Catapult’s technology was previously available to professionals at elite teams only, but now it is being used by the likes of Chelsea FC, LA Galaxy and DC United, and is available for soccer players at every level.
PLAYR’s handpicked soccer coaches and sports scientists, who are the best in the business, delivers individually tailored advice on preparation, performance and recovery. Some of the professionals providing advice through this system are: Tony Strudwick, Head of Performance for Wales FA and ex Head of Performance at Manchester United; Matt Reeves, Head of Fitness and Conditioning for Leicester City FC and Chris Barnes, Soccer Performance Consultant with 20+ years’ experience at Premier League clubs.
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There are 3 elements at work in the PLAYR system: the SmartPod, SmartVest the SmartCoach App. The ultra-light SmartPod, with wireless charging and five hours’ battery, tracks accuracy to the nearest 100cm and is durable in all weather conditions.
“At Manchester United, we had a responsibility to apply a sports science strategy to innovate for our players. Making performance data, innovation and sports science more accessible to soccer players of all levels will only improve ability and PLAYR can be considered a game changer in that respect,” said Tony Strudwick, Head of Performance for Wales FA and ex Head of Performance at Manchester United.
PLAYR is available for purchase online. The retail price is $249. For a limited time, the company is offering a free extra SmartVest when you buy it from www.playrsmartcoach.com.
