Name: Football Club Allschwil (Amateur)
Sport: Football (5th Division in Switzerland)
BaseLab service: Athletic Performance diagnostics, Prevention, Consulting
Methods given: Functional performance testings on site, consulting on site for each individual player
FC Allschwil, from just outside of Basel, was founded more than one hundred years ago, and its first football team plays in the 5th division with great future potential. With a high-impact contact sport like football, there are many disparate spheres to focus on, so Baselab interviewed the coach to find out which areas he most wanted to deliver impact to. The coach wanted a framework for the team to be able to assess themselves against, and with that they needed performance tests and individual strength training programs.
So, a data-backed analysis of each player was undertaken to optimize their performance, identify strengths and weaknesses, and to support the coaching process by delivering insights. BaseLab’s mobile service and digital access to TeamBuildr enabled easy access for each of the 28 players, who all have their own schedules and careers outside of football to tend to.
As the FC Allschwil is an amateur club, the company has limited financial possibilities compared to professional clubs. Therefore it was important that affordable assessments be an option. Coaches and staff members work full-time beside coaching and playing, so creating adequate space to prioritize extra training presented as a challenge.
Thirdly, as is typical of a group of 28 different sportsmen, there are varying levels of skill and fitness among each player. Some were in a professional academy previously, others came straight from the junior league. So, services needed to be applied modularly, yet applied within a group setting. Additionally, know-how of the coach’s usual methods of instruction needed to be taken into account. Lastly, there was unfortunately no access to medical or athletic staff during training sessions
While the main focus was on prevention and performance, there were many avenues to focus on regarding needs and possibilities. BaseLab conducted a series of tests set up across three different stations: sprinting tests, functional assessments in a physiotherapy room, and movement tests using force plate analysis. Together, these tests measured a range of parameters and forces produced during specific movements in the game like jumping or running, recording variations in direction, balance, strength, coordination, and reactive muscle activation time. All of this data was compiled to give corresponding exercises to enhance performance, and reduce the risk of short or long term injury.
Players were given individual programs with multiple training sessions per week, often occurring in small groups where players demonstrated similar skill sets. Coaching was done on site, and in addition players were enrolled into the TeamBuildr app, where regular assessments of their personal data were tracked remotely.
Success lies not only in teaching athletes their individual skills, but in team sports, it includes finding best practice for players to perform efficiently as a group. The collaboration between Physio23, BaseLab, and FC Allschwil fostered this well, as affordable assessments were performed under scientific supervision to improve each player’s performance and physicality.
Ultimately this approach has helped the team to win their football matches. They qualified for the national Cup finals against FC Basel 1893 in the 1st division, an enormous leap up from their standing in the 5th division.
Players, coaches, and sports scientists alike all found the alliance to be successful - so much so that the collaborating Physio23 joined the team as medical partner of FC Allschwil. Moving forward, the club plans to enroll players in BaseLab’s strength building program.
As a regional club with limited financial resources, we were still able to offer our players a professional battery of tests with the help of BaseLab to individualize training and prevent soccer-specific injuries. The tests could be carried out on our training ground thanks to the great flexibility. Furthermore, we appreciate the personal and uncomplicated advice from BaseLab and look forward to further cooperation.