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Coach Evaluation Tips

Coach Evaluation Tips

1. Communicate with your evaluators

Evaluators are the glue that holds a tryout together. It is incredibly important to ensure that evaluators have an understanding of everything prior to the evaluation taking place. Be sure to discuss the key points to look for in each skill, as well as tips and tricks at each station. Discuss how the players will move through the drills, and ensure that you answer any questions before the evaluations begin. We suggest having multiple evaluators at each station to increase results, while also avoiding any potential bias.

Tip: Run through each skills-based station before an evaluation. Communicate what evaluators should look for when scoring athletes on this skill. I.e., While running through the setting station before a volleyball tryout, tell the evaluator what makes the perfect “set.” For instance, they should look for an athlete who has a proper setting position: forming a triangle with their index fingers & thumbs and extending their arms and wrists before releasing the ball.


2. Determine evaluation criteria

When beginning a season, there are many metrics that you will want to evaluate athletes on. It is important to be realistic about what is possible within the time period that you have. Things can get hectic and take a little more time the day of, so by understanding which skills you want to evaluate, you will be confident in the structure of the evaluation.


3. Visualize what success looks like

We have previously talked about the importance of visualization in young athletes. This is a great piece of advice for coaches setting up evaluations as well! It is important for coaches to think about all the details of the event, and what it would look like for someone watching the tryout take place. From the registration process to running drills, all components should work harmoniously. The question to ask would be:

  • Are there enough evaluators at each station for each drill?
  • Who will be moving the equipment onto the field as needed?
  • How will you handle walk-on athletes? 
  • Who will direct athletes where to go?
  • Will athletes be evaluated in groups based on age or the position they are trying out for?


By mapping out potential problems and visualizing the solution ahead of time, tryouts will go significantly smoother.

If you want to go one step further, consider digitalizing your evaluation process! Join thousands in using our athlete evaluation software. Customize your metrics, score evaluations from a phone or tablet, and immediately generate reports for your athletes. 

Interested in learning more?

The SkillShark product demo is the best way to learn. This includes white-glove setup of your evaluation, tour of SkillShark, and free 25 player trial.

FAQ — Coach Evaluation Tips

During an athlete evaluation, coaches use a set of pre-determined criteria to measure an athlete’s skill set.

Through athlete evaluations, coaches can objectively make team placement decisions, find top players, and provide athlete feedback.

Aside from conducting an evaluation at the beginning of the year (which is usually in the form of a tryout), it is also recommended to conduct a mid-season evaluation and a year-end evaluation. Having data collected throughout the year will indicate patterns of growth & development in your individual athletes.

We recommend using athlete evaluation software to streamline your evaluation process. No longer do athletes have to be scored using pen and paper. Score any athlete from your mobile device or tablet and once that data is collected, reports will be ready for you to examine instantly.

1) Communicate with other evaluators.
2) Determine evaluation criteria.
3) Visualize what success will look like.

No! Sports evaluations can be conducted during week-long camps held in the summer or winter seasons.

Elanne Krainyk

Elanne is SkillShark’s marketing aficionado who is equal parts passionate about sports, marketing and sports marketing. She can usually be found with a golf ball or three in her purse, and her favorite way to spend downtime is out on the course with friends and family.