GPS in Football

1st Edition

February 9th, 2026
Blue Fifa logo

5h

PRACTICAL CLASSES

52h

DURATION

B-Learning

FORMAT

Portuguese

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION

GPS in Football

In today's soccer, making decisions based on data is no longer an advantage - it has become a requirement! A requirement that stems from competitive schedules, matches and training sessions, which require players to perform at the limits of their abilities. It's a demand that has led to technological development and the use of technologies capable of monitoring this performance objectively and in detail.

It is in this context that GPS tracking systems stand out, which are indispensable for monitoring and managing the physical effort to which players are subjected, for reducing the risk of injury and for decision-making.

But it's not enough to have access to technology! You have to know how to use the equipment, collect, process and analyze the data so that it becomes useful information. It's essential to find strategies for sharing this information between the performance, health and technical departments and with the players, so that this can result in a competitive advantage!

The course “The use of GPS in soccer” is a unique training experience! First and foremost because we have recruited some of the best professionals in the field, with solid academic and scientific training, proven research and experience in the field. The list of trainers includes professionals from some of the best national and international clubs, PhDs, high-performance department directors and health professionals.

The course contains 46 hours of training, including 5 hours of optional face-to-face practical training. Here you will learn how to use the technology in the field and how to monitor a session in real time.

We are convinced that everyone will be better oriented with this course :)

Welcome to Academia Clínicas Espregueira!

OBJECTIVES

  Understand the fundamentals of tracking technology based on GPS and inertial centers;
  Associate the use of GPS with the concepts of external and internal load and critically discuss the most commonly used metrics for monitoring player performance;
  Acquire data in the field using CatapultSports' tracking technology, including real-time monitoring of a session;
  Use CatapultSports' native dashboards and other resources (e.g. Excel, Google sheets, Power BI) to produce customized external and internal load reports;
  Implement external and internal load management strategies to optimize player performance and recovery;
  Implement external and internal load management strategies to reduce the risk of injury;
  Implement external and internal load management strategies with a view to the player's rehabilitation and decision making regarding return to training and play;
  Implementing communication strategies with the coaching staff, the clinical department and the players adjusted to different realities;
  Looking at Football 4.0: Trends for a New Era of Performance and Decision-Making.
Description

WHY WILL I BE BETTER WITH THIS COURSE?

Because you will be guided through all the capabilities of cutting-edge GPS systems in the context of physical exercise, rehabilitation and performance.

PROGRAM

MODULE 1 - Fundamentals of GPS technology in soccer

8:00pm | 10:00pm PAULO RORIZ

Introduction to GPS technology: concepts, operation, evolution, limitations;

Perspectives on the concept of load and the challenges of articulating training periodization and load management;

External and internal load metrics: concepts, selection criteria.

MODULE 2 - Introduction to CatapultSports Openfield software

8:00pm | 10:00pm PEDRO LISBOA

Openfield cloud access

Definition of a main account and secondary accounts;

Creating team and player profiles;

Definition of bands and cut-off values for different variables.

Customizing dashboards: variables, graphs, tables and filters;

Presentation of practical cases.

 

MODULE 3 - Acquiring data in real time and in the context of exercises and games on the pitch - Practice

14.00 | 19.00 PEDRO LISBOA AND PAULO RORIZ

Using the dock to charge devices;

Instrumentation of the players and the training or playing area;

Use of a tablet or console for real-time monitoring;

Using the dock to download a session;

Data processing via the console and cloud;

Building a post-session report and sharing data.

MODULE 4 - External and internal load reports

8:00pm | 10:00pm PAULO RORIZ

Criteria applied to the definition and selection of variables;

Criteria to be applied when choosing data (e.g. processed data; raw data);

Criteria to apply when choosing software to produce a report; (e.g. native dashboard, excel, powerBI, Python)

Data export;

Normalization of variables;

Use of reference values to interpret data

8:00pm | 10:00pm JOÃO RIBEIRO

Criteria for customizing reports:

    • From the exercise;
    • The type of session (e.g. MD-4, MD-3, ..., MD+2)
    • From the microcycle;
    • The period (pre-competitive, competitive, post-competitive)
    • Individual, position (including GR) and team performance.
8:00pm | 10:00pm Francisco Tavares

Training and match reports - examples and applications

8:00pm | 10:00pm Catarina Bajanca

Reports for the most demanding periods (MDP, WCS, RHIE) - examples and applications

8:00pm | 9:00pm Francisco Tavares

Cumulative reports - examples and applications

MODULE 5 - External and internal load management strategies to optimize player performance and recovery

8:00pm | 10:00pm PEDRO SILVA

Synthesis of the state of the art;

The session and the microcycle as references for load management;

Load management models: pre-defined load vs. reactive and self-regulated;

The use of benchmarks;

The player's load history in longitudinal load management;

Variability as a cargo management strategy.

8:00pm | 10:00pm PEDRO LISBOA

The use of GPS to control training and playing loads in real time.

10:00pm | 11.00pm EDUARDO OLIVEIRA

The use of GPS in pre-season tests.

8:00pm | 10:00pm HUGO SILVA

The use of GPS to optimize acceleration and changes in direction.

8:00pm | 10:00pm PAULO RORIZ

The use of GPS in speed optimization.

8:00pm | 9:00pm MÁRCIO SAMPAIO

The use of GPS in compensatory work (MD+1 or MD+2).

9:00pm | 10:00pm SERGIO WANTED

The use of GPS in post-match compensation work.

10:00pm | 11.00pm PEDRO OLIVEIRA

The use of GPS in goalkeepers.

MODULE 6 - External and internal load management strategies to reduce the risk of injury

8:00pm | 10:00pm PAULO BARREIRA

Synthesis of the state of the art;

Player load history as a load management strategy;

Acute load and chronic load;

Unusual load.

8:00pm | 9:00pm JOÃO RIBEIRO

The need to relate GPS data to other injury risk indicators

9:00pm | 10:00pm PEDRO SILVA

Load management in congested and uncongested periods.

10:00pm | 11.00pm PEDRO OLIVEIRA

Load management in pre-season, the competitive period and the off-season.

7:00pm | 8:00pm Nuno Cerdeira

Load management using injury risk indicators (e.g. ACWR, VFC).

8:00pm | 9:00pm 

SAQ of speed and acceleration as a means of reducing the risk of injury.

9:00pm | 10:00pm CATHERINE BAJANCA

Load management in the menstrual cycle.

MODULE 7 - External and internal load management strategies in player rehabilitation and return to performance

8:00pm | 10:00pm ARNALDO ABRANTES AND RICARDO VIDAL

Synthesis of the state of the art;

The importance of pre-season tests and analytical monitoring;

The use of the external and internal load of the game and the microcycle as references for rehabilitation and return;

Progression strategies in load application during rehabilitation in the field;

Use of external and internal load when making the decision to return to training or play, with or without restrictions.

8:00pm | 9:00pm PAULO RORIZ

The use of GPS in Return to Play.

9:00pm | 10:00pm EDUARDO OLIVEIRA

The use of GPS in the rehabilitation of osteoarticular injuries.

10:00pm | 11.00pm RICARDO VIDAL

The use of GPS in the rehabilitation process after triceps surae injury.

9:00pm | 10:00pm RICARDO VIDAL

The use of GPS in the rehabilitation process after quadriceps and adductor/abductor injuries.

10:00pm | 11.00pm ARNALDO ABRANTES

The use of GPS in the rehabilitation process after ACL and hamstring injuries.

 

MODULE 8 - Communication of external and internal load data with the technical staff, the health department and the players

8:00pm | 9:00pm SERGIO WANTED

Synthesis of the state of the art;

The importance of training before communicating;

The classic 5W+1H communication technique (What, When, Where, Who, Why and How)

The importance of customizing reports to the target audience;

Strategies for turning a report into a communication;

The elevator pitch (elevator speech) as a starting point.

9:00pm | 10:00pm MÁRCIO SAMPAIO

Strategies for communicating data with the technical team.

7:00pm | 8:00pm Nuno Cerdeira

Strategies for communicating data with the player.

8:00pm | 9:00pm RICARDO VIDAL AND ARNALDO ABRANTES

Strategies for communicating data with the clinical department.

9:00pm | 10:00pm LUÍS DIAS

Strategies for communicating data with management and scouting.

MODULE 9 - Round Table: Football 4.0

8:00pm | 10:00pm Carlos Carneiro, Henrique Ortigão, Nicolás Bruzzone, Rui Marcelino

Present and future in the management of Health and Performance departments in soccer;

Technology from the perspective of soccer clubs and organizations;

The integration of technology, the digital ecosystem (IoT) and interconnectivity;

Big data and artificial intelligence to support diagnosis, prediction and decision-making.

COURSE COORDINATORS

Paulo Roriz
Paulo Roriz
Scientific-Pedagogical Coordinator

Faculty

Arnaldo Abrantes
Arnaldo Abrantes
Nameless Design (86)
Catarina Bajanca
Eduardo Oliveira
Eduardo Oliveira
Francisco Tavares1 Copy
FRANCISCO TAVARES
Hrs
Hugo Rodrigues Silva
Nameless Design (85)
Luís Dias
Márcio Sampaio
Márcio Sampaio
Nameless Design (66)
NUNO CERDEIRA
Paulo Barreira
Paulo Barreira
Paulo Roriz (1)
Paulo Roriz
Pedro Lisboa
Pedro Lisboa
Pedro Oliveira
Pedro Oliveira
Dr. Pedro Silva
Pedro Silva
Ricardo Vidal
Ricardo Vidal
Rui Marcelino Maciel Oliveira
Rui Marcelino
Sérgio Querido
Sérgio Querido

FAQ's

Starts February 9, 2026.

Recorded lessons, made available after live broadcast (exclusively online or on television), will no longer be accessible 31 days after the last live broadcast session of the course.

Registration fees:
1st price until 09/12/2025 - 478€
2nd price until 09/01/2026 - 578€
3rd price after 09/01/2026 - 678€

The practical component is limited to a maximum of 24 students.

Phased payment 2x without interest:
70% - Upon registration
30% - After 30 days

Sports science professionals, physiotherapists and doctors.

The final classification in the course will result from the quantitative classification obtained by the final exam. The assessment comprises the answers to a 20-question multiple-choice exam. Each correct answer contributes 1 point to the final classification. The exam will be held at the end of the course.

The final evaluation of each course is expressed through a classification on a numerical scale from 0 to 20 points, with approval being considered as obtaining a minimum of 10 points.

The final classification of the course can be accompanied by a qualitative mention, expressed on the following scale: Sufficient (10 to 13), Good (14 and 15), Very Good (16 and 17) and Excellent (18 to 20).

According to the Portuguese legislation (DL 42/2005 of 22 February), grades below 10, on a scale from 0 to 20, imply failure.

At the end of the course, an evaluation instrument will be applied to measure the participants’ satisfaction with the training process and the conditions for carrying out the course, aiming at possible improvement actions.

At the end of the course, a Professional Training Certificate will be issued, in accordance with current legislation (Ordinance No. 474/2010 of 8 July), to all participants who successfully complete the vocational training. This certificate, as well as a diploma, will be made available in digital format in the participant’s area, on the EMSaúde website, within a maximum period of 30 working days, after the end date of the course. If the student does not succeed, a Certificate of Attendance in Vocational Training will be issued.

678,00 

Registration fees:

1st price until 09/12/2025 - 478€
2nd price until 09/01/2026 - 578€
3rd price after 09/01/2026 - 678€

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE INCLUDE?

  52h of training - B-Learning  Recorded lessons, made available after live broadcast (exclusively online or on television), will no longer be accessible 31 days after the last live session broadcast of the course  Vocational Training Certificate* or Vocational Training Attendance Certificate  * In addition, the right to the Diploma issued by a FIFA, ISAKOS, ESSKA and ICRS accredited centre.

678,00 

PRICE AND REGISTRATION
Start typing to see products you are looking for.
Nameless Design (63)
Registration fees:

1st price until 09/12/2025 - 478€
2nd price until 09/01/2026 - 578€
3rd price after 09/01/2026 - 678€

GPS in Football

Fees and Emoluments
Admission Fee:

678,00 
To validate your registration follow the steps:
  1. Download the application form here;
  2. Click on "Add to Cart" and formalize the application by completing the payment of the application fee.
  3. Fill out the application form and send it to [email protected]together with a copy of the citizen's card or identity card / tax card, curriculum vitae updated, qualification certificatea photo your current and proof of payment.
Back
Messenger
WhatsApp
Keep up to date with all the latest news from Academia Clínica Espregueira.

THE ROAD TO KNOWLEDGE

 Subscribe to our newsletter

Latest Courses

Default Placeholder
8h and 55 min
Asynchronous
Default Placeholder
190€
April 16th, 2026
16h
ONLINE
Default Placeholder
499€
January 31, 2026
16h
IN-PERSON
Default Placeholder
678€
February 9th, 2026
52h
B-Learning
[]