Defining Your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Course: How To Analyse A Match
Section: 02 - The Systematic Approach
Subsection: 03 - Defining Your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
URL: https://www.skool.com/coachingacademy/classroom/9775ce2d?md=fe6052cd86744c8b9180794d4bdf64b1

The Truth About KPIs

Here’s the truth about KPIs that most coaches miss: they’re not about measuring everything. They’re about measuring the things that actually change performance.

The Football Coaching Academy’s 500+ session plans all focus on specific, measurable outcomes. Your analysis should follow the same principle. Less is more when it comes to meaningful measurement.

What Actually Matters in Performance

Not all performance indicators are created equal. Some predict future success. Others just describe what already happened.

Leading Indicators (predict future performance):

• Quality of first touch under pressure
• Speed of decision-making in the final third
• Pressing coordination timing
• Support positioning relative to the ball

Lagging Indicators (describe past performance):

• Goals scored/conceded
• Possession percentage
• Pass completion rate
• Shots on target

Focus 80% of your analysis on leading indicators. They tell you what’s going to happen before it shows up in the score.

Position-Specific KPIs That Work

Goalkeepers:

• Distribution speed and accuracy
• Decision-making on crosses
• Communication effectiveness
• Positioning on through balls

Defenders:

• 1v1 success rate under pressure
• Ball-playing accuracy when pressed
• Recovery positioning after being beaten
• Pressing trigger recognition

Midfielders:

• Pass selection under different pressures
• Positioning to receive in tight spaces
• Transition speed (defence to attack)
• Support positioning variety

Attackers:

• Movement timing relative to ball progression
• Decision-making in final third (when to shoot/pass/dribble)
• Link-up play effectiveness
• Space creation for teammates

Less Is More: Choosing the Right Metrics

Track 3-5 KPIs maximum per player. More than that and you’ll lose focus. Your analysis templates include space for tracking specific metrics, but choose wisely.

The 360TFT Approach to KPIs

Like our systematic session planning, KPI selection follows a hierarchy:

1. Foundation KPIs - Basic technical execution under no pressure
2. Application KPIs - Technical execution under game pressure
3. Integration KPIs - How individual performance affects team performance
4. Innovation KPIs - Creative solutions and game-changing moments

Most grassroots analysis stops at Foundation level. Professional analysis focuses on Application and Integration levels.

Making KPIs Actionable

Every KPI should connect directly to a training intervention. If measuring something doesn’t suggest a specific development action, stop measuring it.

Examples:

Good KPI: “First touch success rate when receiving with back to goal” → Training focus: receiving and turning under pressure

Poor KPI: “Total number of touches per match” → Training focus: unclear

Your KPIs should answer this question: “If we improve this specific aspect, will it make a noticeable difference in match performance?”

Key Principle

The systematic approach transforms random observations into targeted development plans. It’s the difference between coaches who see patterns and coaches who just see games.

Next, we’ll explore when to use real-time versus post-match analysis, and how each approach serves different coaching purposes…

Remember: systematic analysis isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being consistent. The framework works because it gives you the same reliable process every time you analyse a match.

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