Okay, hear me out. Any kind of evaluation—whether it’s physical testing or skill assessment—should be convenient and straightforward. No athlete wants to skip practice just because of some long, formal testing day. And no coach should be wasting time and energy on assessments that don’t actually inform their decisions. So the real question is: how can we integrate assessments into practice without disrupting it?
After years of coaching, I’ve developed a few strategies that might work for you too. Let’s start with a basic question:
What do you actually need to measure?
Take body fat percentage, for example. A lot of coaches love this metric—but does it really tell you something you couldn’t already see? Sure, in some sports, leanness is important. But is knowing that an athlete has 13% vs. 12% body fat going to change your approach? Probably not. If an athlete is overweight or under-conditioned, both you and the athlete likely already know.
Another common trap is using generic test batteries that aren’t tailored to the sport. Take VO2 max testing in volleyball—do you really need that? Probably not. It’s time to stop doing tests for the sake of appearances or tradition. Think before you act. Ask: Does this test give me useful, actionable insight?
When and how to test:
When I coach volleyball, I run a general assessment at the beginning of the season—especially helpful when working with teenagers who are still growing and changing. I dedicate one day to get baseline info. But beyond that, all my evaluations—technical and physical—are done during practice. No clipboards. No stopwatches in my hand.
Use your phone. Seriously.
Instead of scrolling during water breaks, start using your phone as a coaching tool. Here’s how I do it:
- Video + Spreadsheet = Powerful combo
I record practice sessions and track basic stats (serves, errors, jump height, etc.) in a custom spreadsheet. It gives me quick feedback and trends over time. - Biomechanical analysis, simplified
I film players during jumping or sprint drills and analyze the footage later with tools like Kinovea or simple Python scripts. It’s way more efficient than writing notes during practice, and the insights are often clearer when viewed in slow motion.
Final Thoughts:
Assessments shouldn’t feel like a chore—for you or your athletes. Make them relevant, quick, and part of the natural flow of training. Technology makes this easier than ever. Don’t get caught up in outdated practices or excessive formalities. Evaluate what matters, when it matters, and most importantly, in a way that keeps your team growing without slowing them down.
