Data is everywhere. From wearables to velocity-based training systems, strength and conditioning coaches have access to more performance information than ever before. But more isn’t always better. When balancing metrics for hundreds of athletes at once, the challenge becomes collecting actionable data without getting buried by it.

Data With Purpose

Data is a tool, not a replacement for coaching instincts. The right metrics guide decision-making, monitor progress, and protect athletes. But if data is not applied, the purpose is lost.

Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What is this data showing me?
  • How does this data influence my decisions?

If the answer to these questions is unclear, remove or rethink the data being collected.

Metrics That Matter

The following key performance indicators are generally valuable to collect:

1. Attendance & Participation Rates
Tracking who shows up each session gives insight into engagement and accountability. It highlights trends, like if kids start skipping sessions mid-season or after a big loss.

2. Relative Strength Ratios
Consider ratios like squat-to-bodyweight or bench-to-bodyweight. These give a good picture of functional strength, especially for younger or still-developing athletes.

3. Sprint Times (10-yard, 40-yard)
Easy to measure and highly relevant. Regular sprint testing shows both power output and running mechanics over time.

4. Jump Testing (Vertical or Broad Jump)
A powerful indicator of explosiveness. Even basic vertical jump testing reveals fatigue, readiness, or overall response to training.

5. Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
A simple 1–10 scale helps athletes self-report after a workout. When used consistently, RPE gives insight into recovery, workload tolerance, and signals when to push forward or pull back.

Tools That Don’t Overcomplicate Things

You don’t need a six-figure budget to track training data. Here are a few coach-friendly tools:

  • Google Sheets or Excel: Shareable and sortable. Easy to track attendance, lifts, and RPE over time.
  • Workout Tracking Software: If your school has the resources, platforms like TeamBuildr help manage programming and track performance data in one place.
  • Jump Mats or My Jump App: Great for vertical testing without costly force plates.
  • Stopwatch + Tape Measure: Simple solution for measuring sprints and broad jumps.
  • Survey Tools (Google Forms): Useful for RPE collection or athlete wellness check-ins.

Making Data Actionable

Collecting data is step one. Actually using it is step two. Here are some tips on how to incorporate it into the coaching process:

  • Set Benchmarks: Establish clear performance standards for different lifts, jumps, or sprints by age or experience level.
  • Create Easy-To-Read Layouts: Use colors (green/yellow/red) to designate areas of improvement or concern.
  • Share With Athletes: Showing athletes how their data connects to their progress increases buy-in and motivation.
  • Track Trends Over Time: One bad day doesn’t define an athlete. But if sprint times get slower over weeks, it’s worth looking at workload and recovery strategies.

Avoiding Data Overload

Not every metric needs to be logged. Weekly jump tests, monthly sprint checks, and quarterly strength tests are enough to track meaningful information. Qualitative notes (how a kid looked, moved, or communicated) matter just as much as hard numbers. Stick to a rhythm that works—data should support your coaching, not replace it.

Clarity Over Complexity

Performance metrics provide valuable insight to coaches, but not everything needs to be tracked. Too much data leads to complication, so it’s important to be intentional about what’s collected and how it’s used. When data is used correctly, it encourages safety, athlete engagement, and team success.