I coach a U11 girls team and do a lot of tracking of players. Here our some ideas and observations:
A typical set up for me frequently involves spending 5-10 minutes during a practice to record a standard run time and/or a standard skill exercise (slalom dribble, juggling, etc.). I collect those results and post them on a bulletin board so everyone can see where they are. I emphasize individual improvement as opposed to position on the team. I try to do this at the same time every practice, after warm-up and a basic skill drill, but before we start on game related work. This Spring, I am thinking of tracking results from 1v1 contests.
My prime objective in tracking individual process results is psychological. If I can get a player to take interest in improving their results, they invest themselves more in the process. I got some amazing improvements from two players (I think) because of this process.
I think tracking team measures is difficult. The only environment I would use is a game. My favorite measure at this age is shots for/shots against. If you have people who want to give up their ability to watch the game, measure time in the offensive half or count completed passes. Team measures, however, always need to be interpreted in context of the players available and the competition, over a long time frame.
Final thought: Constantly examine the data you collect. If it indicates that a particular exercise has reached a point of diminishing improvement, stop it and start another. Example, this Fall I recorded run times (from 4. of mile) for my team. My data particularly showed that the fitness of our slower players had improved. After about 20 runs, however, the data started to indicate little improvement, either individually or as a team. I stopped the run because it wasn't (in my judgement) worth the time out of practice. (another option would have been to increase the distance, or change to some type of timed recovery drill).
Another example: I recorded counts from a standard juggling exercise. After 15 times, I decided that further improvements from my high performers were diminishing. I changed the exercise for them so they had to juggle in groups of three as a team and started to record them based on the groups highest number. The others continued to juggle individually until they achieved a run of good results, than they were added to the group jugglers.
Tracking works best when it is orgainized. Think about what you need to do so your collection doesn't reduce your coaching. Results also need to need to be communicated to be most valuable. Finally (once again), think about your data, don't become a slave to it.
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