Sachem Youth Soccer
Player Evaluation
Rating Scale Team: _________________________
Player:
Rating (1-5) see below for scale
Technical Ability
Ball Control
Passing
Dribbling
Heading
Finishing
Tactical Awareness
In Attack
In Defense
Physical Aspects
Endurance
Speed
Agility
Strength
Personality traits
Drive
Aggressiveness
Determination
Responsibility
Leadership
Self-Confidence
Mental Toughness
Coachability
5 Excellent
4 Above Average
3 Average
2 Needs Improvement
1 Unsatisfactory
Comments:
Sachem Youth Soccer
Player Evaluation
Definitions
Technical Ability
Ball Control:
You must be able to bring a ball played to you under control instantly and smoothly. This is the
ability to collect and move in a different direction without stopping the ball completely, yet still
maintaining it securely. Develop the technique of receiving a pass at top speed. This means not
slowing down to collect a ball coming on the ground, bouncing, or in the air. You must be able to
protect the ball by shielding it and developing deception in order to get rid of your opponent.
Passing:
You must be able to successfully complete short and long range passes. This incorporates all of
your ball skills, including heading, bending, chipping, and the ability to drive the ball to a partner.
You will find that at a high level, it is easier to control and make quick decisions with a ball that is
driven to you, rather than weakly played. Develop the skill of one-touch passing.
Dribbling:
This is the ability to feint, burst past opponents, change directions and speed at will, and break
through packed defensive lines. Can you exhibit quick feet, combined with a sense of comfort
under pressure, to penetrate into space to open opportunities for yourself or a partner?
Heading:
The ability to head at goal after crosses, heading high, wide, and deep for defensive clearances,
heading balls as a one-touch pass (both into space or to a partner’s feet) in order to create
shooting chances. Can you effectively demonstrate the ability to do this under the duress of the
game?
Finishing:
Nothing makes more of an impression on people than the skill of goal scoring. This aspect takes
in the correct technique of striking the ball in various ways; driving low balls, hitting volleys, half-
volleys, half-chances, chipping, bending, heading, etc.. Good goal scorers can also finish with
their chest, heel, toe, and thigh. Coaches are looking for that player who can exhibit composed
aggressiveness, swift and secure decision taking at the opportune times. The successful goal
scorer has the mentality of a great used-car salesman, very aggressive and not afraid of failure.
Tactical Awareness
Tactical insight incorporates the anticipation, reading, and execution of certain clues that happen
during possession and non-possession of the ball.
In Attack:
A. Player not in possession:
1. Makes themselves available for the ball, perhaps by a diagonal run or a crossover run.
2. Realizes when it is crucial to offer close support and when to stay away.
3. Recognizes the proper time to execute “take-overs” and “overlaps”.
B. Player in possession:
1. Has good peripheral vision, recognizing the correct time to switch the ball to the other side of
the field.
2. Has good penetrating vision, allowing them to see and utilize players who are far down the
field.
3. Recognizes the correct time to play directly, and when it is important to hold the ball (shielding
or dribbling), or when to run at top speed past players opening up passing angles for his team.
4. Sees opportunities to play “one-twos”.
In Defense:
Sachem Youth Soccer
Player Evaluation
During the immediate pursuit, and desire to regain possession of the ball, the player should
recognize:
1. When to race forward to intercept the pass.
2. When to mark the opponent tight in order to discourage the ball from being passed to them
(pressure).
3. When, where, and how (posture) to tackle.
4. When to jockey the ball carrier and force them away from the goal (patience).
5. The quickest avenue of attack upon regaining the ball.
Physical Aspects
Endurance:
The ability of a player to commit themselves diligently throughout the game in attack and defense
with no sign of fatigue and impaired ball control. That player must constantly be running into
open spaces demanding the ball or pulling and committing opposing players to create openings.
Even though this is also a tactical commitment, it will only be successful if you have the
endurance capabilities to run for 60 to 90 minutes. The coach will be examining your physical
exertion as you are being exposed to tactical problems you are trying to solve in the game.
Speed:
The ability to accelerate quickly and maintain that acceleration of the various lengths that player’s
position demands. As an example, the forwards need acceleration with changes of speed over
three to twenty yards. Elements include:
1. Pure straight-ahead running speed.
2. Lateral speed (changing direction).
3. Change of speed (slow to fast, fast to half speed).
4. Deceleration (“stopping on a dime”).
After these basics are attained, speed must be practiced with the ball!
Agility:
The ability to change directions quickly. Twisting, turning while dribbling, readjusting your body to
control an awkwardly bouncing ball, and getting up quickly after a tackle are a few examples.
This area is enhanced by flexibility exercises such as stretching, ball gymnastics, and skill training
with the ball. Conditioning training must be combined with skill and tactical training!
Strength:
The ability to effectively use your body to win physical confrontations. Strength is exhibited during
tackling (1 vs. 1), winning the aerial duel (heading), and changing directions effectively
(explosion). It is also important to learn how to effectively use that strength to your advantage as
is demonstrated in using your arms to hold a player off while running at top speed with the ball or
in shooting for power. Much of your strength and power training can be combined with technique
training!
Sachem Youth Soccer
Player Evaluation
Personality traits
Each coach loves to identify key players with personalities and qualities that cause them to
become team leaders. The following personality traits are the most recognizable:
1. Drive: Pure will power, eager to achieve goals, a burning desire to achieve success, strong
self-motivation, commitment, dedication, determination.
2. Aggressiveness: “Go-getter”, strong self-assertions, takes risks, wants to dominate
opponents, works hard and ruthless in attack and defense, Danger - bad losers, inclined to
retaliation and revenge fouls, loses self-control, general lack of discipline.
3. Determination: Seeks the direct way towards goal, no compromising, doesn’t hesitate when
making decisions, willingness, fully concentrated, success oriented.
4. Responsibility: Intelligent, can read the game tactically (anticipation), conscientious, reliable,
wants security, cooperative, ready for compromise, stable and skillful player.
5. Leadership: Intelligence, dedication, pride, bears responsibility for the team, influences the
environment, anticipation, intuition, independent and spontaneous, convincing and dominating
player, hard worker, no surrender, composed, self-controlled, endurable, communicative,
respected, trustful.
6. Self-Confidence: Secure ball control and determined application of skills and tactics under
pressure (both external and self-imposed). Danger - these players tend to underrate opposing
players, show a lack of willingness to be coached, and can become easily complacent.
7. Mental Toughness: Persistency, consistency, and commitment throughout the game, no
surrender, tough self-assertion.
8. Coachability: Ready to learn and to achieve goals, self-motivated, attentive and receptive,
willingness, interested, spontaneous, committing themselves, likes to discuss problems, hard
worker, self-disciplined, creative, constructive, progressive.
