Introduction
“The biggest achievement is all players I have trained always greeting me when they see me.”
This coach’s answer to “What’s your biggest win?” contains no league titles, no cup victories, no promotion celebrations.
Just players who remember.
The Traditional Metrics Problem
Results Are Noise
In youth football, results reflect:
- Birth dates within the team
- Physical maturity distribution
- Luck of fixtures
- Opposition strength
- A hundred variables outside your control
A coach can do everything right and lose. A coach can do everything wrong and win.
Results tell you almost nothing about coaching quality.
Participation Numbers Mislead
“We have 20 players on the books.”
But how many:
- Come consistently?
- Are developing?
- Enjoy it?
- Will still play in 5 years?
Numbers without context hide reality.
Metrics That Actually Matter
Retention
How many players return next season?
Not because there’s no alternative. Because they want to.
Retention indicates:
- Enjoyment
- Development
- Belonging
- Positive experience
Track it. Aim for 80%+.
Player Feedback
“I surveyed them and they appear to be having fun.”
Actually asking players what they think. Revolutionary.
Simple questions:
- Rate how much you enjoy training (1-10)
- What’s your favourite part?
- What would you change?
Do it anonymously. Trust the answers.
Parent Sentiment
Happy parents aren’t the goal. But consistently unhappy parents signal problems.
Are parents:
- Supportive on the sideline?
- Positive in communication?
- Volunteering when asked?
- Recommending your team to others?
Long-Term Relationships
“Players still calling me ‘gaffer’ whenever they see me, years after managing them.”
Do former players:
- Stay in touch?
- Remember you positively?
- Credit you for their development?
- Return to help with younger teams?
These outcomes take years to measure. But they’re the true scorecard.
Continued Participation
How many of your U10s are still playing football at U16?
Industry averages show massive dropout. If your players stay in the game longer than average, you’re winning.
Individual Progress
Can you document improvement for each player over the season?
Not compared to others. Compared to themselves.
Where did they start? Where are they now? What specifically improved?
Implementing Better Measurement
Start of Season Baseline
For each player, record:
- Current technical abilities
- Confidence level
- Understanding of the game
- Relationship with football
Mid-Season Check
Compare. Are they growing? Stagnating? Regressing?
Adjust accordingly.
End of Season Assessment
Document progress. Share with players and parents. Celebrate growth regardless of results.
Long-Term Tracking
Stay connected with former players. Note who’s still playing years later. That’s your real success rate.
The Mindset Shift
Stop asking: “Did we win?”
Start asking:
- “Did they improve?”
- “Did they enjoy it?”
- “Will they come back?”
- “Will they remember this positively?”
The coach whose players greet them years later? They’re measuring what matters.