Football data explained: what should you actually do with it?
A dashboard is not a verdict on a player. The useful comparison is usually the same player over time, in similar roles and match formats, with context around the numbers.
What each number means
Top speed
Useful for: tracking an individual's speed trend.
One peak can be noisy. Position, pitch size, opposition, growth and whether the player had space to sprint all matter.
Action: look for a trend across several comparable sessions before changing training.
Total distance
Useful for: workload context.
More distance does not automatically mean a better performance. Tactical role and game state can dominate the number.
Action: compare like-for-like matches and positions.
High-speed running & sprints
Useful for: understanding demanding running exposure.
Definitions and thresholds can differ between products, so cross-device comparisons can mislead.
Action: keep the same device and thresholds when tracking progress.
Touches / left-right foot
Useful for: technical practice goals.
Boot sensors can show a pattern a GPS vest cannot, but quantity still does not measure decision quality.
Action: set a specific practice goal, then compare the same player's pattern after several weeks.
For children: progress, not ranking
Growth, age, pitch format and position can change physical numbers substantially. Avoid turning speed or distance into a team league table. Use data to support curiosity and development, not to label a child.