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?

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.

Ryan’s recent focus has been on the interaction of sports and social media, spurred on by his current position as Co-Owner of FC Buffalo, a National Premier Soccer League club.   Previously Ryan founded the popular soccer blog Center Holds It, and organized the move of CHI to BigSoccer, the biggest soccer website in the United States.  He also was President/GM of Queen City Football Club and negotiated the sale of the NPSL.  Ryan is also Director of Public Relations for the National Premier Soccer League.    You can contact Ryan at +17169981711 or by email at ryan@statzpack.com.