Part 2 - Managing Trials: Designing

In the previous article, we talked through how you could approach defining your Team Vision, defining how you might do that and start to write down what type of player attributes you think you need to work towards your Team Vision. Part 2 should help you work through how to outline those player attributes using player rubrics with an example of how we have planned trials in the past to measure players ability to meet these requirements. All the resources we link to here can be found in our resources library.

Define your measurables

Measuring Player Attributes

We've tried all sorts of approaches over time, from detailed rubrics to simple "gut feel" matrices. There's no right or wrong way—it often comes down to experience. The more trials you've managed, the quicker you'll spot the attributes you're looking for. Also, think about your observers: with more people or recorded trials, you can gather plenty of data. But if it’s just you and a couple of helpers, a quick way to note player attributes works best.

Essentially, you need to capture enough to enable you to make decisions on similar players a week, or sometimes 2 or 3 after the trial has taken place. You'll thank good note taking, in the absence of footage, when you're down to the last 2 or 3 remaining roster spots and have lots of players to choose from.

Rubrics

We've provided some templates we've each used over different trials. These are available to download and adapt if you so wish, and they can apply to any type of team trial.

Types of rubric

We have shared examples below of player selection rubrics we've both referenced or used in the past. We don’t claim credit for these, we’re certain they have been doing the rounds for many years - but these are ones we have adapted for various teams we have directed trials for. If you do use these, we'd love to hear your feedback and know whether you found them useful and how you adapted them so others can learn from! If you've got one that you really like and want to share, then get in touch.

FourCorner Selection
We like this one as it puts equal focus on character criteria as well as physical criteria. It can be useful for trials where you are focussing more on game play and observing how players are impacting the team strategy.

Detailed Rubric
We like this one for when trials are heavily focussed around skills. We've used this for managing large groups of players when we've had a good observer:player ratio (~1:8), have had multiple cameras and 4 people reviewing footage to complete the template. When the competition is fierce, it has helped us decide between players.

TopLine Rubric
We like this one for capturing fundamentals but in a broader context that are important to the team selection, but used when we might have less time to observe, less resources and no camera footage - so the notes on the day are the only thing helping us decide! We don't want to leave without capturing the full picture of all players present.

Design Time!

Now we have the rubric in place, we need to design the trials in a way that allow athletes to show each of these attributes that we deem important to us. You can find our example trial plan for each team here to show how the trials are designed to allow for each attribute time to shine. Whilst the stations outlined here can and will cover attributes from more than is listed, it allows observers to focus on those particular qualities and allows players to focus on showing off those skills at that moment.

Nb: We use drills and games here that we haven't detailed out the logistics of organising or given you diagrams. We'll be uploading some drills & games in the future for you to refer to and adapt. For now, just use your imagination...

TeamNads Trials

TeamNads has decided to host two rounds of trials. The first round will use the more detailed rubric. They expect all candidates in consideration for roster spots during the final trial to already possess excellent fundamentals, as outlined in their vision's "how’s."

Based on historical applications and the current rate of sign ups, they anticipate 100-120 applicants and need a scoring system to cut down players prior to a final trial where they will use the Four Corner Model that allows for more detailed comments and review if players will fit into TeamNads current style of play.

TeamNads has access to a great camera setup and can film all parts of the trials. The leadership team consists of 4 people and they have ~12 observers to help out over the course of trials so they anticipate being able to capture as much as possible to inform both trial based cuts, final team selection and ongoing performance management.

TeamNads: Round 1 & Final Trial

Round 1 (Skills based)
You can see the full schedule here for the first trial.

Each activity has been laid out with foci, these are to be communicated to players so they know where to focus their attention. Other attributes can be captured during that time but observers should focus on the key attributes.

Observers have been asked to refrain from coaching individuals and only reiterate the main foci of the station. This is to support in assessing players own feedback mechanisms and watching how they adjust to less successful reps without specific prompting.

Players have also been asked to attend both of the first round of trials, it favours them to attend both as the stations will be different to allow a thorough review of skills.

Round 2 (Team based)

TeamNads has shortlisted all the applicants that the leadership team believe qualify as having great fundamental skills. The players at the final trial will now be assessed using the Four Corner Model of player selection. This model allows for TeamNads leadership group to focus on assessing how players apply each attribute to games, each of which will have different conditions to assess how players respond in different circumstances. The schedule for this final trial can be found in the same example trial.

TeamBrew Trials

TeamBrew has chosen to use the top-line rubric. They are hosting just one day of trials due to a jam packed ultimate calendar and the availability of local players. With fewer players at their trials, they expect to capture all comments on the day, with no ability after to review footage. These comments will also provide feedforward to successful players and clear reasoning to unsuccessful candidates to support their continued growth.

TeamBrew prioritises players' IQ and EQ qualities to foster a competitive and development-focused environment but want to make sure they capture some skills fundamentals. They also look for players who demonstrate both a super strength as well as coachability and adaptability.

The attributes are repeated throughout each game and activity to ensure they are captured, even if there are not notes from every activity or game.

TeamBrew has 2 captains who are both responsible for coaching and leading sessions themselves. They can occasionally call on other members of the local community, but it is down to them to run the show!

TeamBrew: Round 1

You can see the full schedule in downloads. At the trial, they utilise local players who no longer play and some players from the local open team. In total they have 4 observers and are expecting around 30 players to attend.

Each game has one or two constraints with freedom for players to workout the best way to win the objectives of the game. Observers are encouraged to coach and support, particularly the development focussed players, to assess coachability.

They also give specific tasks to the experienced players to assess their adaptability and positive attitude towards supporting a development environment whilst still performing themselves.

Thanks for reading our article! If you spot any errors, or have any comments then just get in touch with us via instagram.

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