SWOL

Playermaker, operating under the brand SWOL, is an Israeli sports technology company positioning itself at the intersection of athletic performance tracking and data analytics. The firm was co-founded by CEO Guy Aharon.

The core of Playermaker's business is a footwear-mounted sensor system designed for soccer players. This technology consists of two small, lightweight sensors that strap onto a player's boots. Utilizing a 6-axis motion sensor, including a gyroscope and an accelerometer, the device captures data at 1,000 times per second. This allows for the detailed measurement of micro-movements, foot-to-ball interactions, and lower-limb biomechanics. Key metrics tracked include technical data points like number of touches, leg usage, kick velocity, and time on the ball, as well as physical performance indicators such as distance covered, speed, acceleration, and deceleration. The system functions equally well indoors and outdoors without needing GPS or other external infrastructure. Data is synced via Bluetooth to a companion application, where players and coaches can analyze performance, track progress over time, and compare metrics against benchmarks.

The company serves a dual market. Its team-focused solution provides a comprehensive performance analytics platform for elite clubs, federations, and academies, allowing coaches to monitor player development, implement playing styles, and reduce injury risk. On the consumer side, products like 'UNO by Playermaker' and the 'CITYPLAY' collaboration with Manchester City target aspiring amateur players and youth athletes, enabling them to track their skills and receive personalized feedback. Revenue is generated through the sale of these hardware devices and likely through subscription-based access to the analytics platform for teams. A significant milestone was achieved when Playermaker's technology was accepted into the FIFA Innovation Programme, a multi-year journey that culminated in the device receiving FIFA Quality Programme certification. This approval allows the foot-worn tracker to be used in official matches, a notable development as performance tracking has historically been dominated by upper-body GPS vests.

Keywords: player development, soccer technology, performance tracking, wearable sensor, sports analytics, athlete monitoring, FIFA approved, foot-mounted sensor, technical skills tracking, physical performance data, Guy Aharon, Israeli sports tech, football technology, player data, CITYPLAY, UNO by Playermaker, motion sensor, soccer analytics, team performance, individual player analysis