7 Mistakes You're Making with Player Evaluations (And How to Fix Them)
Player evaluations make or break recruiting success. Every assessment counts. Whether you're running tryouts, seasonal reviews, or recruitment showcases, these seven common mistakes can destroy a player's chances and waste your time as a coach.
Fix these issues now. Your players deserve better evaluations, and college scouts expect higher standards.
Mistake #1: Pushing Players to Force Highlight-Reel Moments
The Problem: Players think they need spectacular plays to impress evaluators. This backfires completely.
Athletes start forcing difficult passes instead of making smart decisions. They take every shot rather than finding open teammates. They over-dribble and lose possession.
Scouts notice this immediately. They want team players, not ball hogs.
The Fix:
Teach game intelligence over flashy plays
Emphasize smart, simple decisions under pressure
Show players how to demonstrate confidence without desperation
Reward team-first mentalities in practice
College coaches evaluate how well players fit their system. A player who makes five smart passes will get noticed over someone forcing hero plays all game.
Mistake #2: Not Explaining the Evaluation Format
The Problem: Players show up blind to what they'll face. Some evaluations focus on fitness testing. Others emphasize small-sided games or full scrimmages.
When players don't know the format, they can't pace themselves properly. A player who goes all-out in the first drill might be exhausted for the actual game evaluation.
The Fix:
Provide detailed schedules 48 hours before evaluations
Explain whether focus will be on drills, gameplay, or specific skills
Share time breakdowns for each evaluation segment
Help players prepare mentally for each section
Contact us today to learn about our structured player evaluation process. We provide complete preparation materials for every assessment.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Body Language and Attitude
The Problem: Coaches spend 90% of evaluation time watching technical skills. They miss the other 50% of what scouts actually evaluate.
College coaches watch everything:
How players react to mistakes
Team interaction and encouragement
Energy levels throughout the session
Coachability and response to feedback
The Fix:
Evaluate attitude equally with technical ability
Teach positive body language during mistakes
Reward players who encourage teammates
Document examples of leadership and character
A player with average skills but excellent attitude often gets recruited over technically gifted players with poor character.
Mistake #4: Starting Evaluations with Criticism
The Problem: Most evaluations jump straight into weaknesses. This kills player confidence immediately.
Vague positive comments like "good effort" followed by detailed criticism creates defensive players. They stop listening after the first negative comment.
The Fix:
Begin every evaluation with specific strengths
Use a 5:1 positive-to-negative feedback ratio
Make praise detailed and actionable
Build confidence before addressing improvements
Instead of "good shooter," say "consistently accurate on shots within 12 yards, even under defensive pressure." Specific praise motivates continued improvement.
Mistake #5: Not Including Player Goal-Setting
The Problem: One-sided evaluations leave players feeling powerless. They don't understand how to improve because they weren't part of identifying goals.
The Fix:
Ask players about their personal development goals
Have them identify role models and explain why
Document player aspirations alongside evaluation results
Create shared accountability for improvement plans
Register now for our goal-setting workshops. Players who participate in their own evaluation process improve 40% faster than those receiving only top-down feedback.
Mistake #6: Using Confusing Rating Systems
The Problem: Unclear evaluation scales destroy the entire assessment process.
Common scale problems:
No explanation of what ratings mean
Unclear comparison standards (comparing to peers vs. college level vs. professional standards)
Confusing whether high or low numbers represent excellence
No clear middle point for "average" performance
The Fix:
Choose simple scales with clear definitions
Always explain comparison standards upfront
Define what "average" means in your scale
Provide examples of each rating level
Balance evaluations with both strengths and improvement areas
A clear rating system helps players understand exactly where they stand and what they need to work on.
Mistake #7: Treating Mistakes as Failures Instead of Learning Tools
The Problem: This is the most damaging mistake. Players and coaches get stuck on the fact that errors occurred rather than focusing on improvement opportunities.
Mistakes during evaluations become wasted learning chances. Players leave feeling defeated instead of motivated to improve.
The Fix:
Conduct post-evaluation learning sessions
Analyze mistakes as growth opportunities, not failures
Focus on adjustments for future performance
Ask "What should we work on next?" instead of "What went wrong?"
Frame errors as clear direction for development
The best college programs recruit players who learn from mistakes quickly. Show scouts that your players have growth mindsets.
Additional Best Practices for Effective Evaluations
Timing Matters: Feedback happens continuously during practice. Formal evaluations occur at season transitions or after major events.
Position-Specific Focus: Evaluate relevant skills for each position. Don't assess a defender's shooting accuracy the same way you'd evaluate an attacker's.
Key Evaluation Areas:
Technical fundamentals
Game awareness and decision-making
Consistency across multiple sessions
Athleticism and physical development
Character and coachability
Making Evaluations Work for Your Program
Effective player evaluations require preparation, clear standards, and growth-focused feedback.
Your evaluation system directly impacts:
Player development and motivation
College recruitment success
Team culture and improvement mindset
Parent and player satisfaction with your program
Take action today. Review your current evaluation process against these seven common mistakes.
Contact us at Myrtle Beach Lightning to discuss how we structure evaluations that actually help players improve and get recruited.
Don't let poor evaluations waste another season. Players deserve assessments that build them up while providing clear improvement paths. College coaches expect to see players who understand their strengths and actively work on their weaknesses.
Make the change now. Your players' futures depend on it.
