Can You Add & Subtract?

Since analytics seems to be the new wave, I will suggest you consider a somewhat "old school" analytic. The beauty of using the +/- analytic method is you (as the coach) can assign what ever value you want to the metrics you are using.

"Now look at that! There really is a cover on the basket!"

I don't mean to be "Captain Obvious" but the reason(s) for developing such a system of evaluation are:

1 .... If you do this it gives you, as the coach, a non bias method of assessing a player's performance.

2 .... It gives you, as the coach, another piece of evidence to support your rotation methods.

3 .... May be beneficial to consider

how playing time is distributed.

4 .... Would give you an easy way to develop a team chart to emphasis those aspects of the game you feel are critical to team success.

5 .... This chart could be used as another assessment tool when making player evaluations during or at the end of the season.

Things you need to consider before actually charting a game:

1 .... Who is going to do the charting? I suggest you do NOT use a player or a

parent of a player.

2 .... What are you going to chart? Obvious are shooting, turnovers,

rebounds, etc. But what about deflections, charges, steals, assists, etc.

3 .... What values are you going to assign to each category? At the end of this

post, I will give you an example of a chart some coaches use. But you

can assign whatever values you want.

4 .... Are you going to post the results after each game. My personal advice

would not to post them. This was just my thing but I NEVER posted

individual statistical results in any form after a game. I would use TEAM stats after a game, if I felt they could make a point. Example; we turned

the ball over 18 times and our opponent turned the ball over 12 times.

5 .... I would certainly consider using an individual player's +/- to discuss

with an individual player. Just because you have assigned roles to

players, does not mean they will continue to accept them as the season

progresses. The individual player's chart can be a good starting point in

a one on one meeting. This does not have to be used in a negative way

nor would I want to use it to compare player performances.

You can assign any value to the stats you want to evaluate. I will give you one example for you to consider:

2 pt field goal made = +2 pts. 2 pt. field goal missed = -2 pts.

3 pt. field goal made = +3 pts. 3 pt. field goal missed = -2 pts.

Assist = +2 pts. Turnover = -2 pts.

Free throw made = +1 pt. Free throw missed = -2 pts.

Offensive rebound = +2 pts. Defensive rebound = +1 pts.

Steal = +2 pts. Deflection = +1 pt. Drew Charge = +2 pts.

Foul = -1 pt. Blocked Shot = +1 pt.

Technical Foul = -3 pts.

Contested Shot = +2. Failed to Contest Shot = -2 pts.

This is just an example. You can add or subtract what you want to chart and the values you want assigned.

What are you going to do with the chart results? Post it? Share only with the coaching staff? Be careful with the results and your own analysis. Try not to

over react. Should you share with individual players? I would say under certain conditions I would. An important question to ask, is how large a sample size do you need before you can feel the results are reliable? 4 games? 6 games? More or less?

Some might say "stats" don't lie but I do think they can be misleading. They can be used as a tool. You want to use them to show areas of strength and areas that can be improved.