Keeping notes per player (and why every coach should)
"I already told you that back in October" — but what exactly did you say, and was it even right? Coaches who record observations per player have better conversations and spot patterns that memory misses.
Why your memory is not enough
A coach makes dozens of micro-decisions and observations every practice: number 4's serve is improving, number 11 was not mentally there, the new middle blocker finally dares to hit at tempo. After a week the details are gone, after a month the whole picture. What remains is a general impression — and that impression is demonstrably coloured by the last two practices.
What do you write down?
- Technical observations: "jump serve more stable, placement still one-sided to zone 6".
- Agreements: "wants to reach 45% attack; 15 extra minutes of tempo attacking every practice".
- Mental signals: "frustrated after his own error for the second time — dare to bring it up around decisive points".
- Conversation summaries: three lines per evaluation talk is enough to come back to it in March.
Notes in Koach: attached to the player, not in a notebook
In Koach you take notes directly in the player profile. The difference with a notebook: the note sits right next to the numbers. Spot a dip in the statistics, and you read alongside it what was going on. Preparing an evaluation talk? You scroll through half a season of observations in one minute.
Thirty-second rule: make at most one or two notes right after practice, in the gym. Whatever you still remember at home has already been filtered by the drive back.
Privacy: write as if the player is reading along
Notes about individuals fall under the GDPR — and apart from that: a player who ever sees their file should feel fairly treated by it. Write observations, not judgements. "Late for the third time" is fine; labels are not.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I take notes?
Quality over quantity: one sharp observation per practice about one or two players is worth more than dutifully noting something about everyone every week. Deliberately rotate who you follow.
Can players see their own notes?
Rule of thumb: never write down anything you would not tell the player. Many coaches actively share notes in evaluation talks — it shows you are paying attention and makes feedback concrete.
What is the difference with statistics?
Statistics tell you what happened, notes tell you why. The combination is the most powerful: an attacking dip in the numbers plus the note 'injury to hitting hand' prevents wrong conclusions.
Try it yourself in Koach
Less admin, more coaching — starting at your next practice.
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