Football involves much more than simply covering distance.
A player can complete thousands of metres during a match, but some of the most demanding periods occur when movement shifts from jogging and running into higher-speed efforts.
That's why High-Speed Running is one of the most useful GPS metrics for understanding football performance.
What is High-Speed Running?
High-Speed Running — often shortened to HSR — measures movement above a selected speed threshold.
PitcheroGPS records two main HSR metrics:
HSR Count — the number of times a player exceeds the selected High-Speed Running threshold for the required period.
HSR Distance — the total distance the player covers while above that threshold.
Together, these tell you both how often higher-speed efforts occurred and how much distance was accumulated at those speeds.
Why isn't total distance enough?
Imagine two players both record 8km.
Their Total Distance is identical.
But one player may have completed far more of that distance at higher speed.
Another may have accumulated most of their distance through lower-intensity movement.
Looking only at the final distance number hides that difference.
HSR provides additional context about the type of movement behind the total.
Custom speed thresholds
Not every player or team operates at exactly the same level.
PitcheroGPS allows High-Speed Running thresholds to be adjusted so they can reflect the environment in which the tracker is being used.
The Team App also allows teams to define their own speed zones and thresholds.
This makes it possible to analyse HSR in a way that fits the group being monitored rather than relying exclusively on a universal number.
HSR Count vs HSR Distance
Although closely related, these metrics answer different questions.
A player could record a high HSR Count made up of several relatively short efforts.
Another could have fewer high-speed efforts but cover a greater overall HSR distance.
Looking at both gives a clearer picture.
For example:
Player A: 12 High-Speed Runs, 320m HSR Distance
Player B: 7 High-Speed Runs, 350m HSR Distance
Neither value tells the entire story on its own.
Comparing training and matches
One of the most useful applications of High-Speed Running data is comparing different types of session.
Track HSR consistently across:
- Matches
- Team training
- Conditioning sessions
- Small-sided games
- Position-specific sessions
This creates a performance history that shows how high-speed output varies across different environments.
Read our guide to comparing training and match demands using GPS.
Internal link: /blogs/news/compare-training-match-demands-gps
Track High-Speed Running over time
One strong session doesn't establish a pattern.
Recording GPS data consistently allows players and coaches to compare High-Speed Running across weeks and months.
PitcheroGPS Team users can also use historical charts to analyse HSR Count and HSR Distance across multiple sessions.
This makes it easier to see how performance changes throughout the season.
HSR is only one part of football performance
High-Speed Running shouldn't be viewed on its own.
Other useful football GPS metrics include:
- Total Distance
- Top Speed
- Accelerations
- Decelerations
- Active Time
- Workload
Together, these create a more complete view of physical output.
Explore the full range of GPS performance metrics.
Track your football performance
PitcheroGPS gives football players objective data from every recorded training session and match.
Individual players can use the Player Bundle to track their own performance, while clubs and coaches can use the Team Bundle to analyse multiple players across their squad.
See how fast you really are.
Track top speed, High-Speed Running, distance and intensity with PitcheroGPS.