InStat: Good or Bad

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Concept itself is fine, but the data is only as good as the inputs. Its is very useful at higher levels where the competition is more consistent and you are looking for certain profiles to build teams/get an edge.

The way it is being "sold" by some as an absolute measure of a players ability is wrong and misleading. That should not be a surprise to anyone. Truth and honesty in youth sports is hard to find, especially in girls soccer, when there is no incentive to do so.

It’s crazy, what other gimmick will they cook up to “differentiate” themselves. Can you imagine if Pele had this technology? He would have been one of the greats!

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Imagine if the concepts of Billy Beane and Paul DePodesta's Money Ball were applied to youth sports. Coaches using physical data to support decisions instead of just putting out the players who's parents pay the most. Man, we might actually start developing players instead of the **** show on the men's side and the toilet flush on the women's.

[Unregistered]

Imagine if the concepts of Billy Beane and Paul DePodesta's Money Ball were applied to youth sports. Coaches using physical data to support decisions instead of just putting out the players who's parents pay the most. Man, we might actually start developing players instead of the **** show on the men's side and the toilet flush on the women's.

What are you even talking about. Youth sports is a business. No one is going to pay anything to watch these kids play sports other then a parent. Sorry.

[Unregistered]

What are you even talking about. Youth sports is a business. No one is going to pay anything to watch these kids play sports other then a parent. Sorry.

Agree, very much a business first and a sport second. Hopefully COVID-19 helps reprioritize things for people but as long as InStat and other gimmicks are offered up families who have no clue about the sport will continue to be paying customers. Sporting Lisboa (one of the best youth academies in the world) does not do half the bull**** done here. But if people have no idea they just don’t know any better. Nao Obrigado!!

[Unregistered]

Agree, very much a business first and a sport second. Hopefully COVID-19 helps reprioritize things for people but as long as InStat and other gimmicks are offered up families who have no clue about the sport will continue to be paying customers. Sporting Lisboa (one of the best youth academies in the world) does not do half the bull**** done here. But if people have no idea they just don’t know any better. Nao Obrigado!!

To be clear, InStat is not BS. It is not applicable as a relative measure in the US Club soccer environment. To make it that would require a gathering of data that no one would ever pay for, so its being used as a conversation starter for clicks. No different to lists of commits, or talking about Tobin Heath being ex PDA or Dunn Albertson.

[Unregistered]

To be clear, InStat is not BS. It is not applicable as a relative measure in the US Club soccer environment. To make it that would require a gathering of data that no one would ever pay for, so its being used as a conversation starter for clicks. No different to lists of commits, or talking about Tobin Heath being ex PDA or Dunn Albertson.

Our club is touting this tool as the greatest thing since sliced bread. Yet there are players that cannot execute a simple pass consistently, receive the ball correctly or even head the ball. This is HS Age folks so this is the stuff they should work on to correct if it’s not too late. Yeah InStat will really help them, give me a break.

[Unregistered]

To be clear, InStat is not BS. It is not applicable as a relative measure in the US Club soccer environment. To make it that would require a gathering of data that no one would ever pay for, so its being used as a conversation starter for clicks. No different to lists of commits, or talking about Tobin Heath being ex PDA or Dunn Albertson.

Hockey kids have used it for a while, but youth hockey is a completely different ball of wax with pro-scouts involved in the youth game, boarding schools, junior pro-leagues, etc. For girls soccer? I think GAL adopted it to make customers think they were getting something special to help with "development". If it's included in the price, why not?

[Unregistered]

Hockey kids have used it for a while, but youth hockey is a completely different ball of wax with pro-scouts involved in the youth game, boarding schools, junior pro-leagues, etc. For girls soccer? I think GAL adopted it to make customers think they were getting something special to help with "development". If it's included in the price, why not?

Girls soccer is the same. the pro scouts are college coaches. In Stat is supposed to give coaches another way of looking at players. Its another analytical tool. Thats the theory. The reality is the data set is not good enough for the number to mean much. For any of this stuff to make sense, the levels of competition need to be better. The easiest way to improve ECNL or any of these leagues is to reduce the number of teams and make them talent/not age based. wont happen because it would mean less revenue.

[Unregistered]

Girls soccer is the same. the pro scouts are college coaches. In Stat is supposed to give coaches another way of looking at players. Its another analytical tool. Thats the theory. The reality is the data set is not good enough for the number to mean much. For any of this stuff to make sense, the levels of competition need to be better. The easiest way to improve ECNL or any of these leagues is to reduce the number of teams and make them talent/not age based. wont happen because it would mean less revenue.

Agreed it's tool in the toolbox that some coaches will find more helpful, others not so much. There's so much more to what a coach is looking for that a bunch of numbers can't capture

[Unregistered]

Our club is touting this tool as the greatest thing since sliced bread. Yet there are players that cannot execute a simple pass consistently, receive the ball correctly or even head the ball. This is HS Age folks so this is the stuff they should work on to correct if it’s not too late. Yeah InStat will really help them, give me a break.

Great point, the pure basics are missing or need improvement for many players that are playing at places where you would think those players would definitely get those things improved or corrected. The issue is that most coaches could care less to take the time to give advice and help these players improve on an individual basis. It’s basically next in line (as they get replaced or demoted, without reason or explanation given), no real development or plan to help these players improve with the basics and build for the future. Sad.

[Unregistered]

Great point, the pure basics are missing or need improvement for many players that are playing at places where you would think those players would definitely get those things improved or corrected. The issue is that most coaches could care less to take the time to give advice and help these players improve on an individual basis. It’s basically next in line (as they get replaced or demoted, without reason or explanation given), no real development or plan to help these players improve with the basics and build for the future. Sad.

No parent should accept lack feedback from any club. Players should be getting it regularly in small doses, and once in awhile on a more formalized, lengthier basis.

[Unregistered]

No parent should accept lack feedback from any club. Players should be getting it regularly in small doses, and once in awhile on a more formalized, lengthier basis.

The point is there is usually someone waiting in line to take their place. Its a beautiful system, based on having an endless supply of poorly educated and biased customers with money.

InStat is measuring actions. As a stand alone tool to parents/kids who dont really understand what the numbers mean its pretty pointless. If misunderstood, it becomes another thing for parents/kids to brag/post about. Odds are that makes money for InStat and CLubs so...

Coaches are looking for ways to eliminate interested players, to reduce the numbers to the core they want to invest time in. InStat numbers are just another way of marketing your player pool to them. Thats is what you are buying. The physical marketplace are teh showcases, this is part of the creation of a virtual one that the Clubs are also trying to control.

[Unregistered]

Girls soccer is the same. the pro scouts are college coaches. In Stat is supposed to give coaches another way of looking at players. Its another analytical tool. Thats the theory. The reality is the data set is not good enough for the number to mean much. For any of this stuff to make sense, the levels of competition need to be better. The easiest way to improve ECNL or any of these leagues is to reduce the number of teams and make them talent/not age based. wont happen because it would mean less revenue.

Easiest way to improve ECNL is to switch its focus from scrimmages, games, showcases and "physical readiness" to real soccer development.

[Unregistered]

The point is there is usually someone waiting in line to take their place. Its a beautiful system, based on having an endless supply of poorly educated and biased customers with money.

InStat is measuring actions. As a stand alone tool to parents/kids who dont really understand what the numbers mean its pretty pointless. If misunderstood, it becomes another thing for parents/kids to brag/post about. Odds are that makes money for InStat and CLubs so...

Coaches are looking for ways to eliminate interested players, to reduce the numbers to the core they want to invest time in. InStat numbers are just another way of marketing your player pool to them. Thats is what you are buying. The physical marketplace are teh showcases, this is part of the creation of a virtual one that the Clubs are also trying to control.

As a parent or a coach you can look at any of the Red Bulls guides without the need for InStat. What's even better you can focus your efforts on evaluating your kids on a whole number of factors without pressure (e.g. empty field) or with a variety of increasing pressure (with partner, or competitive game).

https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/youth/coaching-guide

[Unregistered]

As a parent or a coach you can look at any of the Red Bulls guides without the need for InStat. What's even better you can focus your efforts on evaluating your kids on a whole number of factors without pressure (e.g. empty field) or with a variety of increasing pressure (with partner, or competitive game).

https://www.newyorkredbulls.com/youth/coaching-guide

I think you misunderstand the use of Instat, but thats ok. You can do all of it and, in theory, InStat will measure how well it is translating in game. Thats the point.