Last updated on May 7th, 2025
There is hardly any industry or part of modern life that technology doesn’t touch. While we may not physically see examples of the latest data-driven tech or notice the extra speed from the latest patch to our gaming computer’s graphics card, it is all around us.
Historically, games were developed as a way to learn, and elements of that are used today. Gamification is where designs and concepts from the world of gaming can be used to the benefit of learning something.
Modern gamification tools can be driven by the latest AI technology and provide instant feedback through an online portal on a digital platform – but they very much have real-world applications. From helping companies retain talent to keeping football training immersive, learning to gamify can be a huge asset.
Interactive learning
Treating football training like a game may not feel like a totally compatible concept for many onlookers. There is the picture of professional players turning up on the training field and being given the hairdryer treatment by the head coach and their team of assistants in pursuit of perfection.
However, gaming elements can bring an element of fun and competition to the table, as well as training advantages. Teaching with competitive games has become a positive application in many sectors, and sport is one of the biggest.
Playing it back
It is common to hear football managers talking about watching the video of a game. Coaching teams study countless hours of footage to try to pinpoint the performance levels of players and figure out opposition strengths and weaknesses to fine-tune tactics.
Players are subjected to these playbacks as well, highlighting areas of improvement. But this can be taken to a more productive, interactive level by gamified videos.
Turning moments of footage from the latest match into flashcards can be a smart way to boost a deeper learning process. It could be a test where the watcher faces a multiple-choice answer format about which particular drill they should have put into practice at a moment of the game.
Any opportunity to pass on information via a more engaging process should bring benefits.
Leaderboards
The concept of leaderboards is heavily influenced by gaming. This is a fantastic way to challenge individuals during football training. It could be posting charts of points for the most yards run, the best resting heart rate or the accuracy of corner kicks hitting the zone.
Many elements of football training can be turned into relative leaderboards. The idea of that is to drive a competitive edge, to lift players to try to reach the top. It’s human nature to want to be the best at something.
But without clear, consistent data putting together relative performance levels of individuals, it’s hard to know how much harder they may need to work to get up to the top rung of the ladder.
The challenges
The point of any kind of training is to challenge people. Think about major video sports games – it’s never just about playing an actual match. Players get to test a bank of skills through side games designed to improve match-day performances.
It could be kicking footballs into bins placed at different distances, or seeing how quickly a ball can be dribbled through a set of markers. Skill tests can determine if the right amount of speed and spin can be applied to curl a free kick, Beckham-like, into the top corner.
That same virtual gamification can bring challenges into real-world training by setting up point systems with rewards. This can be across all aspects, from busting out some cardio to testing reflexes and improving Vo2 max. Almost anything can be turned into a challenge. A great example of applying challenges in other facets would be when playing at an online casino, perhaps the stakes are high and quick decision making needs to take place whilst under pressure. Pattern recognition and use of strategy would also be found in many online casino games, as well as the need for emotion control and concentration. If you’d like to test these skills, great platforms such as askgamblers.com can help you find trustworthy casinos available in your country that have been fully reviewed by non-biased professionals. Many cognitively challenging games can be found online, and here you can train your mind to be better adjusted to these assets.
Gamification technology
None of this is far-fetched future talk. It’s here already, and if examined closely enough, glimpses of it can be caught at the professional level. Coaching staff can be seen sitting with their eyes glued to a device, buried in live stats more than actually watching the game.
Gamification software can provide automatic updates in real-time, on the fly. The huge benefit is being able to receive and give immediate feedback. Points rewards systems are huge, and individuals can be notified of rankings and rewards as a training session unfolds.
Distance run, speed, accuracy of ball control and positioning are already tracked. It’s become an integral part of the game and society, just as the status of video gaming has been lifted from the bedroom to major global esports contests.
The positives of gamification
Gamification offers many positives. It can help individuals through repetition of skills, while motivating them to reach new levels of skill and elements. The competition aspect can also help to increase commitment to the cause in team training.
It all leads to better returns on time invested. Gamification can’t get everyone to the title, but it can certainly be used for positive behavioural and physical changes.
