What is the Scoring System?
InsideFooty uses a 1–10 rating system across 17 individual metrics, grouped into four corners: Psychological, Technical, Social, and Physical. This follows the same Four Corner model used by Premier League academies through the EPPP.
The goal is not to label children as "good" or "bad" — it's to track development over time so you can give every player focused, personalised coaching. A score of 5–6 means "age appropriate" and is where most players should sit. That's a positive thing.
The Four Corners & Weightings
Not all corners are weighted equally. Psychological development is the most important factor at grassroots level — a player who makes good decisions and bounces back from mistakes will develop further than one who is simply fast or strong.
Key insight: Physical attributes carry only 10% weight. A small, slow player with brilliant decision-making will score higher overall than a big, fast player who can't read the game. This is deliberate — it's how academies think.
Understanding the Rating Bands
Every metric uses four rating bands. These help you calibrate your scores so they're consistent across sessions, across players, and across coaches within your club.
Common mistake: Giving everyone 7s and 8s. If most of your squad is scoring 7+, your calibration is off. In a typical squad, most players should be in the 5–6 range with a few standouts at 7–8 and only one or two at 9–10.
Example Metric Descriptions
Below are three key metrics (Foundation Phase, U5–U11). The full set of 17 metrics is available in the app — tap the ℹ icon next to any metric while rating to see its descriptions.
Two Rating Modes
InsideFooty offers two ways to rate players, depending on how much time you have:
Quick Mode
~30 sec/player- Rate each of the four corners with a single slider (1–10)
- Add an optional quick note for standout moments
- Tap the ℹ icon next to each corner to see band descriptions
Best for: match days, mid-season check-ins
Detailed Mode
~2 min/player- Rate each of the 17 individual metrics (or 10 for Foundation)
- Each metric shows a colour-coded description of that score
- Add praise notes (at least 2) before any areas for improvement — "Praise First" approach
Best for: end-of-block reviews, player development meetings
Foundation vs Youth Development
The scoring descriptions adapt automatically based on the age group of your team:
🌱 Foundation Phase (U5–U11)
- • Encouraging, development-focused language
- • 10 metrics (simplified from full 17)
- • Emphasis on enjoyment and basic skills
- • Physical attributes weighted very low
🚀 Youth Development (U12–U18)
- • More performance-oriented language
- • All 17 metrics available
- • Higher expectations for tactical awareness
- • Greater focus on competitive readiness
Information for Parents
As a parent, you can see your child's overall scores and attendance on your dashboard. Here's what the scores mean:
is a positive score — it means your child is exactly where they should be for their age. Don't worry about this range.
means they're standing out — they're doing something particularly well relative to their peers.
isn't a bad thing — it highlights where the coach will focus their attention. Development is the goal, not perfection.
Trends matter more than single scores — look at how scores change over weeks and months, not individual sessions. The system deliberately weights Psychological attributes highest (40%) because a child's mindset is the biggest predictor of long-term development. Physical attributes carry the least weight (10%) because children develop at different rates and early physical advantages often disappear by U14–U16.
Tips for Consistent Scoring
Use the band descriptions.
Tap the ℹ icon next to any metric or corner while rating. Read the description for the band you're considering before confirming.
Rate what you saw today, not what you know they can do.
Scores should reflect this session's performance. The system tracks trends automatically.
Rate within your squad's standard.
Whether you're a grassroots club or a private academy, 5–6 means "developing well for this group." If your squad average is above 7, your calibration is off — you won't be able to track real progress.
Rate immediately after the session.
Use Quick Mode on the drive home if needed. Memories fade quickly — today's impressions are more accurate than tomorrow's.
Be careful with physical scores for younger players.
A child who dominates physically at U8 may be an early developer. Rate technique and decision-making more carefully.
Praise First.
When using Detailed Mode, the system requires at least two positive notes before you can add areas for improvement. This isn't a restriction — it's a coaching philosophy that builds player confidence.
Align on calibration with multiple coaches.
Spend 10 minutes at the start of the season reviewing the band descriptions together. Pick 2–3 players everyone knows and discuss what scores you'd give them.
Want an offline copy to share with your coaching team?