What’s the Best Way to Test Acceleration in Soccer Players?

Game Reality

In soccer, players rarely hit max velocity over 40m. What decides games is the first 5–20 metres — acceleration.

• Beating a defender to the ball.

• Closing down space before a pass.

• Creating separation for a shot or cross.

That’s why testing acceleration is often more valuable than testing pure top speed. The real question is: how do you measure it accurately?

The Old Methods (and Their Problems)

Stopwatch

Quick and easy, but unreliable. Human error is ±0.2–0.3s. If you’re tracking improvements of 0.05–0.10s over 10m, a stopwatch simply can’t detect them.

Lasers

Better than stopwatches, but:

• Beams can be tripped by arms, knees, or nearby players.

• Setup takes time.

• Results aren’t always repeatable.

GPS trackers

Clubs use GPS vests for load monitoring in training and games. They’re great for volume and intensity tracking, but not for precise splits like 5m, 10m, 20m.

Each tool gives some info, but none are consistent enough for reliable acceleration testing.

What You Actually Want to Measure

A strong acceleration test in soccer should cover:

• 5m split → first-step explosiveness.

• 10m split → ability to reach speed quickly.

• 20m sprint → game-relevant top-end acceleration.

The goal isn’t lab-grade precision — it’s repeatability. You want to know if Player A is faster this month than last, and by how much.

A Practical Testing Setup

Modern coaches now lean on portable electronic timing systems that measure the athlete at the waist (center of mass) instead of relying on beams or reaction-based stopwatches. Why?

• Consistency across athletes and sessions.

• Multiple splits (start, 5m, 10m, 20m) in one test.

• Automatic logging so coaches aren’t juggling stopwatches.

• Group-friendly → players can even self-test in small squads.

This balances accuracy with practicality — reliable data without the chaos.

Where Freelap Fits In

This is where Freelap has become a go-to solution for soccer coaches at every level:

• Electronic timing at the waist → measures true acceleration, not arm swings or false triggers.

• Portable and wireless → no wires, no fragile tripods, no clutter.

• Split timing → capture 5m, 10m, and 20m instantly.

• Fast setup → ready in minutes, even on a training pitch.

• Player-friendly → athletes carry their own chip, so testing large groups runs smoothly.

Whether it’s pro clubs building speed profiles, academies tracking player development, or grassroots coaches checking progress, Freelap makes acceleration testing consistent, practical, and trusted.

How Coaches Apply It

• Pro clubs → preseason and midseason acceleration testing.

• Academies → build player speed profiles (accel, top speed, RSA).

• Grassroots coaches → simple 10m and 20m tests to check training impact.

With Freelap, everyone can get reliable numbers — no lab coat required.

In The End

So, what’s the best way to test acceleration in soccer players?

• Stopwatches are inconsistent.

• Lasers can misfire.

• GPS is for load, not splits.

A simple, repeatable, and body-based timing system is the practical choice.

That’s why so many soccer programs use Freelap — it delivers consistent, trustworthy data that shows whether training is really working.

Learn more about Freelap for soccer. Link here