Performance Team InternAt — Orange County Soccer Club

The Performance Team Intern will gain hands-on experience supporting the physical preparation, monitoring, and recovery of professional male soccer athletes within a high-performance environment. This role offers a unique opportunity to develop practical skills in athlete testing, GPS data management, and applied sports science, with a particular focus on the use and interpretation of VALD technology.

The intern will work closely with the performance coach, strength & conditioning staff, and medical team to assist in daily operations and contribute to performance analysis and decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

VALD Performance Testing & Application

• Assist with setup, calibration, and administration of ForceDeck testing

• Interpret key VALD metrics related to neuromuscular performance and asymmetry

• Translate data into actionable insights to support strength and rehab programming

• Create summary reports and presentations for performance and medical staff

GPS Monitoring & Data Management

• Set up and manage GPS tracking units prior to each training session

• Monitor live GPS outputs during training (e.g., total distance, HSR, sprint counts)

• Flag athletes who exceed load thresholds in real time to the performance coach

• Download and organize GPS data post-session and send reports to relevant staff

Daily Performance Support

• Assist the performance coach with daily training preparation and athlete needs

• Help maintain organization of equipment and technology systems

• Contribute to warm-ups, gym sessions, recovery protocols, or hydration checks as needed

Tasks:

OUTCOME 1:
1. Lead a ForceDeck testing session (e.g., CMJ, isometric mid-thigh pull, or eccentric hamstring test) with players while being evaluated by performance staff using a checklist.
2. Create a written SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for 1–2 ForceDeck tests, including setup, calibration, and player instructions, to be added to the department’s internal resource manual.

OUTCOME 2:
1. Analyze post-testing data for players and submit a brief written interpretation (e.g., asymmetry trends, neuromuscular fatigue markers) with clear labels, charts, and explanations.
2. Complete a short quiz or case discussion with a coach or sports scientist involving previously collected data—identifying what the numbers suggest and whether any flags are present.

OUTCOME 3:
1. Write a mock training recommendation memo for 2 players (e.g., a player post-injury and a high performer), explaining how their ForceDeck data should influence individual strength or rehab adjustments.
2. Contribute to a weekly staff meeting by preparing and presenting data for one player and suggesting an adjustment (e.g., extra posterior chain work, deloading, or eccentric emphasis).

OUTCOME 4:
1. Present a 5-minute summary report in a staff huddle or meeting, including relevant ForceDeck metrics, visuals (charts/tables), and 1–2 practical takeaways or questions for discussion.
2. Write a concise player performance update email for a strength coach or physio, summarizing key test results, interpretation, and proposed action steps (with references to past data if applicable).

OUTCOME 5:
1. Complete a written reflection or timeline project that maps out how testing, load monitoring, and data-informed decisions are used across the club's weekly and seasonal cycles.
2. Create a workflow diagram or process map of how VALD data moves from collection to application—from testing to coach/medical use—based on real club operations.

Training:

1. Supervised Test Administration Practice. Have the intern shadow and then co-lead 2–3 ForceDeck testing sessions, starting with mock sessions (using staff or other interns), then progressing to live player sessions under supervision. Include setup, calibration, athlete instruction, and test execution. End each session with a brief debrief to correct form, flow, and troubleshooting.

2. Guided Data Review Workshops. Run weekly data interpretation sessions where the intern reviews anonymized player data alongside a strength coach or performance staff. Ask them to explain what they see (e.g., eccentric deficit, asymmetry trends, load tolerance), then validate or refine their interpretation together. Encourage the use of comparison against team norms or previous baselines.

3. Case Study Application Projects. Assign the intern two real or de-identified athlete cases involving ForceDeck data from post-injury testing or performance tracking. Ask them to propose strength or rehab programming adjustments based on the results. Then, have them present these to the strength coach and/or medical team for feedback and discussion.

4. Weekly Summary Report Presentations. Have the intern create a weekly 1-page summary of ForceDeck data (e.g., trends, red flags, notable improvements) and present it briefly (5–7 minutes) during performance/medical team meetings. Include a section for “recommendations” to help them practice evidence-based communication and cross-discipline translation.

5. Performance Department Observational Log + Mentorship Review. Have the intern maintain a structured observation log of the performance team's weekly workflow — testing timing, use of data, when/how decisions are made. Then, meet biweekly with a mentor (performance lead or medical team lead) to discuss how testing fits into preseason, in-season, and RTP cycles.

Learning Outcome:

1. Develop proficiency in operating VALD ForceDecks (and any other available VALD tools) to conduct standardized neuromuscular and strength assessments used in professional soccer.

2. Learn how to analyze key VALD metrics (e.g., eccentric peak force, RFD, limb asymmetry, jump strategy metrics) and draw insights relevant to performance, fatigue, and injury risk in professional male soccer players.

3. Demonstrate the ability to translate VALD assessment data into meaningful recommendations that support individualized strength programming and return-to-play protocols in collaboration with the performance and medical teams.

4. Build confidence and clarity in presenting assessment findings and practical recommendations to performance coaches, athletic trainers, and physical therapists in both written and verbal formats.

5. Gain hands-on understanding of how GPS and VALD player monitoring fits into a season-long training periodization, performance and rehab strategy, including how testing frequency, timing, and context influence decision-making and long-term athlete development.