What’s a pass, a shot on goal or a turnover?   If you are recording passes, are you going to try to record every one or are you only recording passes that ‘move the play forward’, or ‘passes that are made under no pressure from the opposition’.  It’s our call – but make sure you discuss them and define them, and make sure they are meaningful to your age group.   If you are gathering stats it is vital that you define what is meant by each term you are using.   This allows coaches and players to understand exactly what you mean if you find an individual had six incomplete passes.  Presenting clear cut definitions also helps the person collecting stats to be more objective and systematic – it will make their task easy.  And, it will provide your team with more consistent and meaningful data.

What do you think are the problems with defining the stats you are going to collect?  Any stories?

Feedback is the food of champions. But it can also choke up the toughest of players.   Players appreciate information on their performance, but they will only be receptive to it if they feel it is balanced and constructive – and too much emphasis on the negative is a sure way to close the ears.   Do not fall into the trap of collecting only negative data about your players.  Giving your players access to their stats on Statzpack is a way to empower your players and make them feel involved – but make sure the data is relevant and your players are mature enough to take look.   Get in the habit of choosing positives to start your stats feedback and always end on a constructive note.

When giving feedback to your team make sure they can digest it and make sure you do it at the right time.   During game intervals players can only take in so much information in. And don’t use ‘numbers’ unless you really have to.  Use language you and they understand. Focus on the outcome you want.  Use the data to drive your message, don’t let it be your message.  For example let’s say you have identified that 82% of free kicks in a game so far have been conceded by your team, and 74% of those have been in your half, mostly committed by a Sarah in left midfield.  Convey the message clearly, but focus on what the possible cause may be and what action you want to see.  “We’re conceding too many free kicks in our half, this is causing us too much trouble on our left flank, it created one of their goals, what we need to do is be less reckless in our tackling and cover for each other.”   

Sharing more info and use of numbers are likely to have more of an impact at training sessions when you have more time to communicate.  Combine the data with real language.  Telling Sarah that she conceded 56% of all our free-kicks will have a limited impact if you don’t combine that with some discussion on what the probable causes might be, and what your desired outcomes are for her and the team.  

 Never use data to beat up on a player.  Harping on Jonny because he had 10 unsuccessful passes and only one good pass all match will accomplish nothing in the long run.  Statistics are a tool with which to improve players, they are not the end all be all.

Today we have another guest post from Denise Martin. In my last post I talked about defining your stats, this time I’m talking briefly about setting that process out.  Agreeing the stats should be discussed amongst the coaches working with the team, and even you are the only coach – take some advice, talk to the players or another coach.  It’s really important that the set of stats are talked about and agreed upon within the team.  You really want to avoid having a discussion about them each week.  

And.. PRACTICE.  Don’t forget to try out ‘your set’ in a practice or challenge game. Review them.  DISCUSS.  Are they useful? Can we do this each game?   Will they be useful if we use the same set each game, or shall we use a different set for each game? The one thing that is for sure, for most grades you will likely be better to trial, revise, discuss and set out a plan.   Unless I’m wrong? What are your experiences?

Come along to one of our upcoming demonstration sessions.   Find out how our system can give your club the edge, test it out for yourself and see some of the new features that will be included in the 2010 version of the product (which will all be free to those customers using our system).   Find out which senior county teas are using the system – how they use it and why.  The event is free admission.

Current Schedule:

Dunloy Cuchullains Clubrooms, Antrim
at 8pm on Monday 22nd February 2010

St. Patrick’s Donaghmore, Tyrone
at 7.30 on Monday 8th March 2010

Anaghclone GFC, Down
TBA

All coaches and club officials are invited to come along.

Any further questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact aileen@statzpack.com, or call us on NI 0845 544 0805 or ROI 01 485 3211 to find out more or book a place.

We are delighted to announce the addition of Denise Martin to the Statzpack team.  Denise brings over a decade of analysis at the highest level in both gaelic sports and rugby.  She is regular commentator and columnist in the Irish News.

Statzpack have launched their latest iTunes App – iSoccerStatz.  Designed with the input of MLS, English Premier League Analysts and UEFA qualified coaches. Record your teams stats whether you are soccer mentalist, a keen coach or a soccer mom.  At picthside you record the events as they occur with 1 – 2 screen touches. Set up your team, choose your jersey and shorts colours. Afterwards you can even upload your stats up to the web and share them with your players. Read More

Statzpack are glad to announce the appointment of Ryan Knapp as VP Business Development, taking on responsibility for sales and partnerships.

Ryan is a successful sports business professional and entrepreneur as well as a passionate advocate for the growth of soccer in the United States, especially in his hometown of Buffalo, NY.  He also is a strong advocate in the power of using soccer for social change. Read More

The company behind the leading Gaelic Sports team management and statistics system Statzgaelic has teamed up with the University of Ulster Gaelic Football Club to develop their product. The University of Ulster is a leading European centre for sports research and excellence. The Gaelic Football teams within the University of Ulster are constantly leading the pack on the University scene, winning the Sigerson and O’Connor Cup in 2008.  As part of the agreement Statzpack will work with the Gaelic Football Club team to test the product to its full, and as a partner, providing input to future product developments. Read More