In-season evaluations are one of the most effective tools organizations can use to improve athlete development, strengthen communication with families, and make more informed team formation decisions.
Tryouts provide a snapshot of an athlete. In-season evaluations provide an entire season of data.
During TeamGenius’ recent In-Season Evaluations Workshop, Gabe Skelly and Hunter Hart shared how clubs across multiple sports are using structured evaluations to give athletes meaningful feedback, track progress over time, and create stronger programs.
If you missed the workshop, you can watch the webinar recording here. You can also download the full workshop slide deck and the In-Season Evaluations Checklist.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the session.
Why Should Organizations Use In-Season Evaluations?
One of the first questions every organization should answer is:
What Is Your Why?
According to the workshop, clubs typically use in-season evaluations for three reasons:
Player Feedback
Athletes want to know:
- What they’re doing well
- What needs improvement
- What they should focus on next
Providing clear feedback helps athletes stay engaged and motivated.
Team Formation Data
Many organizations use in-season evaluations alongside tryouts when forming teams the following season.
Rather than relying solely on a two-day tryout, clubs can incorporate an entire season of observations into team placement discussions.
Elevating the Club Experience
Families increasingly expect communication, feedback, and transparency.
Providing evaluations helps organizations deliver value while creating a more professional athlete experience.
What Should an In-Season Evaluation Timeline Look Like?
One of the biggest lessons from the workshop was that preparation matters.
Before the Season
Organizations should decide:
- Why evaluations are being conducted
- Evaluation criteria
- Rating scales
- What families will see
- Evaluation dates
These decisions establish the foundation for the entire process.
Early Season
Train coaches on:
- Evaluation criteria
- Rating scales
- Comment expectations
- Reporting timelines
Additionally, families should be informed about what feedback they can expect and when they will receive it.
Evaluation Window
During the active evaluation period:
- Send coach invitations
- Monitor progress
- Remind coaches about deadlines
- Provide support as needed
After Evaluations
Review:
- Scores
- Comments
- Reports
Then send all reports at the same time to ensure consistency.
For organizations looking for a step-by-step resource, download the In-Season Evaluations Checklist.
What Evaluation Criteria Should Coaches Use?
One of the most common mistakes organizations make is evaluating too many things.
The workshop recommendation was simple:
Score Two to Five Criteria
Not ten.
Not fifteen.
Not twenty.
Start with a few meaningful categories.
Common Intangible Criteria
Many organizations evaluate:
- Coachability
- Attitude
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Effort
- Attendance
Common Skill Criteria
These will vary by sport but often include:
- Skating
- Throwing
- Passing
- Shooting
- Hitting
- Ball control
- Position-specific skills
The key is consistency.
Criteria should remain relatively similar across age groups to make development easier to track over time.
What Is the Best Rating Scale for In-Season Evaluations?
The workshop encouraged organizations to move away from overly complicated scoring systems.
Instead of forcing coaches to decide between a 7 and an 8, many organizations are moving toward named ratings.
Example Scale
- Excellent
- Strong
- Developing
- Needs Improvement
These labels often create greater consistency between coaches because everyone understands what the ratings mean.
Named ratings are also easier for families to interpret than numerical scores.
What Should Families See?
This was one of the most discussed topics during the workshop.
Not all evaluation information needs to be shared externally.
Internal Information
Many organizations keep the following internal:
- Team formation scores
- Roster-specific evaluations
- Weightings
- Comparative rankings
Family-Facing Information
Many organizations choose to share:
- Skill scores
- Comments
- Development feedback
- Areas of improvement
- Strengths
This creates transparency while still allowing clubs to maintain internal evaluation processes.
For additional reading, see How Feedback Reports Build Parent Trust.
How Should Coaches Write Better Feedback?
One of the strongest sections of the workshop focused on comment quality.
Good feedback should:
- Be honest
- Be specific
- Provide direction
Effective Feedback Example
Strength: First step on loose pucks is much faster and more aggressive than earlier this season.
Work On: Improve passing accuracy under pressure.
Next Step: Spend five minutes after practice focusing on quick decision-making drills and passing to moving targets.
This approach gives athletes something actionable to work on.
Ineffective Feedback Example
“Needs improvement.”
This provides little value and offers no direction.
Should In-Season Evaluations Impact Team Formation?
Many organizations are beginning to use in-season evaluations as part of next year’s team formation process.
Option 1: Reference Only
Use evaluations as context when discussing players.
Option 2: Weighted Evaluations
Some organizations assign a small percentage of the final team placement score to in-season evaluations.
The key recommendation from the workshop was to keep the weighting small and communicate the process before evaluations begin.
For more information on defending team placement decisions, read https://teamgenius.com/defend-roster-decisions/How to Defend Roster Decisions in Youth Sports.
What Are the Most Common In-Season Evaluation Mistakes?
Several recurring mistakes were highlighted during the workshop.
Too Many Criteria
Keep evaluations simple.
Rushed Evaluation Windows
Give coaches at least two weeks to complete evaluations.
No Coach Training
Make sure everyone understands the scoring process.
Families Caught Off Guard
Tell families exactly how evaluations will be used.
No Comment Review
Have a director or administrator review feedback before reports go out.
Sending Reports Individually
Release all reports at the same time.
Consistency matters.
What Questions Will Parents Ask?
According to the workshop, three questions appear almost every season.
When Do We Get Feedback?
Tell families before evaluations begin.
Will This Impact Team Placement?
If evaluations affect future team formation, communicate that early.
Can We Discuss the Results?
Every report should include a contact person who can answer questions and help families understand the feedback.
When expectations are established early, these conversations become significantly easier.
How Do In-Season Evaluations Improve Athlete Development?
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the workshop is that evaluations create continuity.
Athletes can:
- Track progress
- Set goals
- Understand expectations
- Identify development opportunities
Meanwhile, coaches gain valuable data that can support future development plans.
Organizations that consistently evaluate athletes often create stronger player pathways because growth is documented rather than assumed.
For examples of long-term development planning, explore:
Build a Better In-Season Evaluation Process With TeamGenius
Strong athlete development starts with meaningful feedback.
At TeamGenius, we help organizations simplify evaluations through digital scoring, athlete feedback reports, historical tracking, team formation tools, player self-evaluations, and customizable development frameworks.
Whether you’re evaluating athletes mid-season, preparing for tryouts, or tracking long-term growth, TeamGenius helps coaches turn observations into actionable development plans.
See how organizations across North America are improving player development through the TeamGenius Success Stories.
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