I'll admit the title is a misnomer. Because few coaches (and especially few parents) even CAN objectively evaluate a player.

Other than goals/assists (which don't tell the whole story) and saves/shutouts, there are objective measures of player performance.

Here's one though that is SPOT ON at least when measuring tactical awareness:

Turnovers, ie. pass completion. It's a pretty safe bet that a player who connects most or nearly all of his passes is an exceptional player! Even if a healthy percentage of his passes are square or even back passes. (In fact, a good percentage should be.

Another criteria I use is the % of 1v1 challenges (attacking and defending) that are successful.

The percentage varies based on position played. Defenders, for example, can't afford to get beaten 1v1 because this usually results in a shot on goal. Or worse.

Midfielders can be evaluated in the same way. Except that due to the nature of their position have a slightly higher margin for error.

forwards? yeah, they tend to score most of the goals but they also support their teammates with their passing and pressuring the backline.

If they have a high percentage of their shots on frame and/or have a high shot-to-goal ratio, then you know you have a solid technical and tactical forward.

Of course, we've all seen plenty of games where the forward plays terribly and then suddenly becomes a hero with a gamewinning tap in.

Oh, the glory!

The higher up the pitch you play, the more risks you can take.

A defender that gets beaten several times in a game probably didn't have a good game.

A midfielder that was dispossessed 5 or 6 times and completed only 30% of his passes (and gave the ball away) did NOT have a good game.

A forward that took 12 shots, was dispossessed/tackled 18 times out of 20 had a crap game. (Even though he got the gamewinning goal...a tap in at that.)

Sadly, parents and coaches tend to look at things more subjectively...relying on their own opinions rather than facts.

The decisionmaking is slightly less concrete. Still, a player's turnover rate will validate/quantify his tactical insight.

Parents especially need to quantify their kids' performance.

If for no other reason than to attempt to be (somewhat) intellectually honest.

My BB typically plays defense; all I try to keep track of when he is in is simple +/-. How many goals did his team score when he was in vs how many did they give up.

keep track of his 1v1 challenges. Passes completed, etc.

Also, the most important thing is skill with the ball. Especially first touch.

Defenders need skill as much as any other position.

allen04 wrote:

My BB typically plays defense; all I try to keep track of when he is in is simple +/-. How many goals did his team score when he was in vs how many did they give up.

A good indicator sometimes but;
- if the midfield is weak the defense will get hammered.
- if you have a weak keeper goals that should not have been will be frequent.
Look at passing percentage, he should be passing out of the back most of the time not "clearing the ball." Also look at how often he succeeds in turning back challenges by making them pass off, stealing it or knocking it away from the attacker. A defender that goes for the steal everytime gets beat often.

Good point.

You rarely can tie in team stats to individual performance.

Even though many people try to.

A defenders bread and butter (and mids to a lesser extent) involves closing down space.

it's not just tackles and clearances. Although they are more 'visible'.

Being able to pass out of the back (not just mindlessly lumping the ball forward)is the sign of a "complete defender".

I pay attention to my bb receiving and passing. His speed to make good decision and to predict the other team's moves. If he makes a bad pass what does he do to recover or recuperate if he lets an attacker pass him.

Next time practice by ourselves we know what to work on, or talk about when we drive to school...

He likes this approach :)