Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for calculating a longitudinal displacement and a velocity of the longitudinal displacement of a load bearing pile as the pile is being driven into the ground by blows delivered from a pile driver. A series of signals, such as electromagnetic waves at a frequency above 800 Hz and a wavelength less than 1 mm, are emitted from a signal emitter in a direction toward the pile as the pile is being driven along its longitudinal length into the soil. The series of signals are reflected off of a reflector mounted at a fixed position on the pile and are redirected toward a sensor that is positioned for receiving the reflected series of signals. The reflected series of signals received at said sensor and the preselected frequency at which the series of signals are emitted from said signal emitter are routed to a computing device where the longitudinal displacement of the pile and the velocity of the longitudinal displacement are calculated.