We had a blog post a long time ago, but we wanted to blog with someone who already has a good professional overview of the FASTER Lab and can comment on the FASTER Lab as an independent, respected expert.
So we chose and asked Máté Havas, the Director of the ETO FC Academy in Győr.
Dear Mr Snow! Can you recall when and where you first heard about the FASTER Lab?
I saw the Smartgoals system more than 3 years ago at a football camp in Győr. I was curious because that was the first time this device was introduced in Hungary. I found it interesting and useful. I started looking into it and that’s when I came across the name FASTER Lab. I was curious to know exactly what methods they were trying to develop children with and how it could be integrated into football training. The experience was definitely positive. They use tools and methods in the FASTER Lab that are close to today’s generation and also develop both motor and cognitive skills in an environment where there is constant competition through measurements.
The FASTER Lab today and tomorrow is 3 years old. How do you see it? Do you still adhere to the principles you set out at the beginning and focus on the individual, on helping the individual to develop?
In any case. In fact, I must point out that they are still looking for new ways and methods to improve it. They still keep the same principles and ideas in mind, and they want to keep improving by asking for feedback. It is important to note that feedback is treated positively and they try to incorporate it into their daily work the very next day. So they not only stick to the principles, but also demonstrate their ambition to improve by keeping an open mind.
What do you see as the uniqueness of FASTER?
In short, everything! They use innovative and unique solutions in one place, which is unique not only in the country, but also in this region. In modern football today, data-driven thinking is essential. However, data only makes sense if you know what to do with it and what conclusions to draw from it. I can tell you that the tools and methods used in the FASTER Lab can help every footballer (athlete) from selection to training.
If I understand you correctly, Mr Havas, you are already working formally with FASTER Lab?
Absolutely. We have been under contract for 2 years. The children we choose come here to train at pre-arranged times. They use the services of the Lab on a weekly basis and train with the Lab’s coaches, under our supervision of course, because it is very important to know when and what kind of workload the children have had in the past week or what kind of workload they will have in the coming days. We find it important that there is good communication between the FASTER coaches and our own coaches, so that individualised training sessions are as beneficial as possible to the players’ development. The development of the children attending FASTER is supported by measurements every 12 weeks.
How to visualise a measurement and interpret the data obtained from it?
Basically, there is nothing complicated about it. At the beginning of the 12-week training cycle, children perform the exercise with the given equipment, in the given environment, with the given number of repetitions, and the data is recorded by the program. At the end of the 12-week cycle, the children also perform the same exercise with the same repetition.
From there we have a basis for comparison as to whether the child has made progress, or if not, we can go deeper into the reasons why. It is important to interpret the data in the right way. For example, it may be the case for children that, due to an intensive growth cycle, the measurement data may not show a better result.
Since we have been coming to FASTER for several years, we have many measurements available to show the individual development of children.
Do you see from this data that the child has made progress and that everyone can relax and sit back?
We can sit back and relax when we see our footballers running out onto the pitch in their jerseys.
We have a huge responsibility for every child (player). We must constantly strive to develop them according to their age group. It is a great help in this process if there are objectively measurable data. Another important thing is to interpret the data and put it into context. What the FASTER Lab helps a lot with is of course training, but it is just as important in the selection process, when we have the opportunity to assess the player before a confirmation. This is another important piece of information.
I understand that ETO Akadémia uses the services of FASTER not only for the development of athletes, but also for new transfers.
Yes, it is. I can give you an example: we had a foreign player last year. At that time we tested him in FASTER, asked for the measurement data and asked for the measurement back again before making a decision, which helped us decide which path to take with the player. In this respect, I think that we have developed a fair, day-to-day communication with FASTER, which also helps us in our work.
I’m very happy that FASTER opened its first lab here in Győr and we have been able to work together for 2 years now, so we have a small advantage over other organised and well-established academies.
If I would like to briefly say what is the most important thing in the relationship between ETO and FASTER Labor, it is definitely PLAYFUL! And it is this principle that makes this relationship work so successfully and efficiently!
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and opinions about FASTER Lab.
We wish that in the future the ETO FC Academy and as many other clubs as possible will be able to develop many good players for Hungarian football.
