Why Every Grassroots Footballer Should Be Tracking Their Stats

Statistics, one of THE most important things in professional football. Yet at Grassroots level it is something that is almost entirely ignored... how does that work?

We don't know either, and that is exactly why we created The Football Trackers. 

Tracking stats is the key to understanding your performances, and therefore, improving your game. Now it may seem boring to some, but in reality, this 5 minute task after each game will make a huge difference to the way you play. 

We have 5 KEY reasons why tracking your stats, especially at grassroots level, is something that every player should do. And here they are:

 

1. Know Your Game

You can't improve what you don't understand. By tracking your stats like passes made, shots, tackles. You get a real, objective sense of of you are performing.

Think you're involved in every attack? The numbers might tell you otherwise. Or maybe you think you have a quiet game, but the stats say you made more tackles than anyone else on the pitch!

It takes you out of the emotional 'felt good/ felt bad' mindset and gives you real insight into your games.

 

2.Spot Patterns Over Time

One game doesn't tell the full story. This is a trap that far too many players and fans fall into with modern day football. Your last performance doesn't define who you are as a player, your last 20 do. 

By tracking your stats, you'll start seeing trends - maybe you make more dribbles when you play out wide, but make more tackles when you play in the 10 role. Maybe you have started to take more shots but score less goals, this tells you that you need to be more careful over your shot selection to score more goals. Without actually tracking your stats though, you wont know this.

Stat tracking helps to identify what's working and what isn't, and then you can figure out what needs to change.

 

3. Stay motivated & Accountable

Lets be honest - there are weeks where motivation to play at the weekend is just not there. You played poorly the week before, you don't want that to happen again, so you're not excited to play again. 

But when you're tracking your stats, you know exactly what went wrong in that performance and you will be eager to get back out on the pitch and try to fix that issue. You'll go into matches thinking 'how can I create more chances' or 'what can I do to make sure I don't get subbed at half time again?' It gives your performances purpose beyond just winning or losing.

It also keeps you honest, If you have had a quiet game, the stats will show it - and that's okay. That's what pushes you to do even better in the next game.

 

4. Get Noticed

Coaches love players who take themselves seriously. If you can show that you've been trying to track and understand your performances, that you're working on your weaknesses, that you care - you immediately stand out.

You don't need a scout in the stands, you just need to show that you are willing to put in the work.

 

5. It's Never Been Easier

You don't need any fancy software, a personal analyst or for your club to have a VEO. You just need a notebook, or better yet a tool, specifically designed, for players like YOU.

That is exactly why we created The Football Tracker and The Women's Football Tracker. Tools to help grassroots players measure, reflect and improve, every single week.

They're available in both physical and digital formats, and they've already helped countless players across the UK take their game to the next level.

Want to start tracking your own performances? Grab yours here and improve your game going into the new season.