Measuring, understanding, and analyzing youth soccer metrics is a key part of player development in select youth soccer programs. The term “metrics” simply refers to the way an individual player’s or a team’s performance is tracked in a measurable quantitative manner.

These statistics provide useful insight into a player’s strengths and weaknesses, which helps them set goals for advancement and improvement. Metrics also help coaches personalize training programs and strategies to make the most of their players’ performances.

Youth soccer player metrics are a great tool to help coaches, players, and families track a team’s and players’ development and progress. Metrics also provide a way for families to become productively involved in the game by helping players of all interests and backgrounds set goals and strive to meet and surpass them.

Soccer Stats Key Metrics

Metrics for youth soccer can highlight a snapshot in time or track performance over time. Both are valuable in teaching, adjusting techniques and gameplay, and helping young players develop and increase their confidence.

It’s wonderful when a coach, parent, or friend encourages a player and tells them how much they enjoyed watching them play — and they should continue to do that. However, many youth soccer players, especially as they advance in their skills, find that tangible evidence provided by player and team metrics and trends gives them something solid to track as they improve their game play.

Metrics and trends are more than numbers to aspire to and be proud of; they also show players and teams where they have improved over time and where they need to continue improving. Whether the players are new to the game or taking part in a high-level, competitive program, game measurements can help their development as well as their overall enjoyment of the game.

Possession Percentage (PP)

Possession percentage (PP) is a team metric determined by dividing the total number of passes made by the team during a game by the total number of passes made by both teams. A possession begins when a player controls the ball, and it ends when their control ends, such as when a player shoots the ball, or it is lost or intercepted.

Pass Completion Rate (PCR)

A completed pass occurs when the passed ball goes directly to a teammate without it being touched by an opposing player. The pass completion rate (or percentage) is a common way to evaluate passing performance. The PCR is calculated by dividing the number of completed passes by a player or team by the total number of pass attempts.

Shots on Target (SOT)

Also known as shots on goal (SOG), a shot on target (SOT) is a shot made by the offense directly on the net. The SOT must either result in a goal by the attacking team or a save by the goaltender or the defense. A shot that deflects off the horizontal crossbar or vertical post without being deflected by the defense or goaltender doesn’t count as an SOT. This metric is a numerical count of shots meeting this definition.

Goals and Assists

A player is credited with two points for each goal they score. Scored goals are measured by counting the number of successful goals made by a player or team during the game. This metric can be refined by identifying the number of goals scored during each quarter or half (depending on the teams’ age group). The scoring player also receives two points for a goal scored.

Similarly, each player who makes an assist is awarded one point for each assist. An assist is a pass that leads directly to a goal without the ball being intercepted by the defense. Each goal can have up to two assists: a secondary assist and a primary assist. The ball counted as a secondary assist is passed directly to the player who receives credit for the primary assist.

Passes that can be counted as a primary assist include:

• The final pass before a goal is scored

• Winning a penalty

• Making the shot, pass, or cross that results in an own goal aided by the opposition

Other factors that can lead to a goal, such as a blocked shot, other defensive moves, or an unassisted goal resulting directly from an interception, aren’t counted as an assist. For example, a game’s final scoring statistics may count four goals but only two assists.

Dribble Success Rate (DSR)

A player’s dribble success rate (DSR) is calculated by dividing the number of successful dribbles by the total number of attempted dribbles. A dribble occurs when a player with possession of the ball attempts to beat their opponent. A successful dribble occurs when the player with the ball beats the defending player while retaining possession. An unsuccessful dribble occurs when the dribbling player is tackled and loses the ball either to the defender or loses possession of the ball to open space or out of bounds.

Tackles and Interceptions

These metrics can be counted as the number of tackles and interceptions. They can also be measured as a percentage, such as successful or missed tackles as a percentage of all tackle attempts.

• Successful tackle: A tackle is won when the tackler or a teammate regains possession, or the ball goes out of play.

• Missed tackle: A tackle is missed when a player unsuccessfully challenges for the ball. This is calculated by adding fouls to an attempted tackle to the number of times a dribbler beats a player.

• Interception: This occurs when a player takes, or steals, possession of the ball from their opponent by moving into its intended path. With an interception, a player prevents the pass from being completed.

Distance Covered

Distance covered on a soccer pitch is highly dependent on the player’s age and the size of the field for the team’s age group. The position-specific distances covered during a game vary, as mids cover the most distance, followed by strikers and then defenders.

The most accurate way to measure distance covered is with a FIFA-approved soccer GPS tracker device or vest that is approved for on-field wear. Ordinary fitness trackers must comply with Law 4 of the FIFA Rules of the Game:

“Where wearable technology (WT) as part of electronic performance and tracking systems (EPTS) is used in matches played in an official competition organized under the auspices of FIFA, confederations or national football associations, the competition organizer must ensure that the technology attached to the players’ equipment is not dangerous and meets the requirements for wearable EPTS under the FIFA Quality Programme for EPTS…. The FIFA Quality Programme for EPTS supports competition organizers with the approval process of reliable and accurate electronic performance and tracking systems.”

Position-Specific Metrics

Position-specific metrics are especially valuable for players who specialize in a single position: forward, midfielder, defensive back, and goalkeeper.

• Forwards (or Strikers): Metrics pertaining to this key offensive position include pass completion rate (PCR), shots on target (SOT), dribble success rate, goals and assists, and tackles and interceptions. Speed and ability to accelerate are good ways to measure a striker’s on-field performance, as these metrics rely heavily on the player’s age, skill level, and training regimen.

• Midfielders: Metrics for mids, who make both offensive and defensive plays, include pass completion rate (PCR), shots on target (SOT), dribble success rate, goals and assists, and tackles and interceptions. As mids must cover long distances on the pitch throughout the game, total distance and sprinting distance can be measured using a soccer GPS or performance tracker.

• Defensive Backs: Backs’ performance on the field can be measured by pass-completion rate (PCR), dribble success rate, and tackles and interceptions.

• Goalkeepers: As the last line of defense before a ball is netted, goalies use a specific set of metrics that measure their positional performance. The most common metrics are:

• Save Percentage: The number of shots saved against the total shots taken on the net. A skilled goalkeeper saves about 69% of shots on target (SOT). To put this stat into perspective, the highest save percentage by a Major League Soccer player in a season is 76.7%, set in 2007 by Matt Pickens of the Chicago Fire.

• Goals Against Average (GAA): Goals against average measures the number of goals a goalkeeper allows on average per game. Elite players aim for a GAA below 1.5.

Conclusion

Understanding and analyzing youth soccer player metrics is crucial for player development, helping coaches personalize training programs, and families track progress. By focusing on key metrics such as possession percentage, pass completion rate, and position-specific metrics, players can gain tangible insights into their strengths and areas for improvement. These metrics not only enhance performance but also increase players’ enjoyment and engagement in the game.

Metrics are more than just numbers; they reflect a player’s growth over time, providing a clear pathway for setting and achieving goals. Whether a player is new to soccer or participating in a competitive program, these measurements are invaluable for their development. Coaches, parents, and players alike can benefit from the comprehensive understanding these statistics offer.

For more information on how to effectively use these metrics to boost youth soccer performance, join Northeast Rush today. Explore their programs and get the guidance you need to help players reach their full potential. Visit Northeast Rush to learn more and become part of a community dedicated to developing the next generation of soccer talent.