In a previous Tarfee Talk entitled “10 Advantages of Online Player Scouting (e-Scouting)” we covered some of the ways that online scouting solves and simplifies common challenges in the world of traditional scouting. However, we can’t ignore the new challenges that scouts and coaches face when it comes to using the internet to find new talents. Here are a few.
1. “I have to see it with my own eyes”
There is a certain “I want to see it with my own eyes to believe it” reasoning when we ask some coaches why they are reluctant to use e-scouting platforms such as Tarfee. This is very similar to the argument given for avoiding shopping online for clothes, since it’s difficult to imagine purchasing a pair of pants or shoes without trying them on. This is more than valid point, but it doesn’t make online scouting useless. It isn’t hard to remember how slowly online shopping gained tractions in the retail world. Today, after years of experience, online shopping is growing exponentially with no sign of slowing down. We believe that soccer scouting, while different, will follow a similar trajectory. Thousands of dollars of scouting and travel expenses can be saved, especially when scouting internationally. For now, coaches, scouts and agents rely mainly on personal connections and longstanding relations to find that diamond in the rough. Maybe there is a better way.
Let’s be clear, we are not saying that online scouting would replace traditional scouting, but it can be a great complementary asset. What some people may overlook is that just like in online shopping, a person does not necessarily have to purchase something for it to be considered “online shopping”. One can simply use the online shopping tools to scout for good deals, products, and services. When looking for soccer players, online videos and other tools can help pinpoint some players with potential, but it’s by watching them during physical tryouts and games that a coach or scout can make an educated decision. In fact, we discourage making final decisions and deals based solely on information found on the internet, no matter how legitimate it looks or sounds.
2. Questionable authenticity and legitimacy of player profiles and videos
How can you tell if what you’re seeing on a screen is true? Just as people often exaggerate in their resumes, both players and soccer professionals can be expected to do the same, and they sometimes do. Reiterating the online shopping analogy, when it first began, one of its biggest challenges was to find a credible vendor that would actually send the product to you in good condition. Nowadays, online shopping has become more reliable due to encryptions, but also due to customer reviews and ratings. A scouting platform like Tarfee works very much in the same way. Professionals and other players are verified and screened. Additionally, each player and professional can like and can leave reviews on player cards and videos, which helps increase the credibility and visibility of these players and decrease the likelihood of fraud occurring. It is possible to mitigate fraud attempts with a little bit of common sense and some careful research. For more information on overcoming fraud, refer to our blog: Preventing Fraud in the World of Online Sports Scouting.
3. It can be quite time consuming
Emails are an integral part of online scouting. Most coaches have their professional email addresses listed on the team’s website, so anyone with an internet connection can send them a letter and a link to a youtube video and hope for the best. Each month, thousands of players do exactly that.
It is not surprising that at some of the more highly placed teams such as in the top NCAA Div 1 schools and some popular teams in Europe, the coaches admit to simply not having enough time to sort through the hundreds if not thousands of emails received each month from players hoping to be noticed, and only relying on emails sent from agents and scouts that they personally know and trust. This is a problem not only for the great players who are overlooked due to the backlog of unchecked emails, but also for the coaches who miss out on opportunities to recruit and mould very promising players.
If only there was a way to overcome this problem and to efficiently sort through the emails or bypass emails altogether. Well, with modern scouting platforms, it is becoming a reality. Imagine, as a coach, being able to home in on exactly the type of player you are looking for by filtering through potential candidates or by going a step further and posting an e-tryout that is only open to candidates with specific characteristics. With Tarfee, for example, you can do both without compromising your contact information. Find out more here.
4. “There aren’t enough players to choose from”
Some of the most popular soccer scouting platforms cater mainly to professional and semi-professional players. These players often have detailed career statistics, they have played in televised games and are managed by renowned agents and coaches. They are also inclined to pay fees to the websites in order to increase their chances of being noticed and to attend tryouts. Those who scout for players also compete fiercely on these websites, because the ratio of players per scout is quite low. Competition is always good to bring the best out of people, but in the case of online soccer scouting, it can leave many others in the shadows.
As history has shown us, some of the greatest players were found in some of the poorest parts of the world. Unfortunately, these places are often remote and simply don’t get enough visibility from recruiters. Luckily, the Internet is becoming increasingly accessible to even the most inaccessible locations. Additionally, new platforms are being created by people who are passionate in giving every kid a chance to be discovered.
Simon Abushaban, CEO of Tarfee Inc. is such a person.
“I believe that every talented player deserves a chance to be discovered and pursue the dream of a career playing the wonderful game”
- S. Abushaban
With platforms such as Tarfee, players still do compete, but only with likes, comments, and ratings from both peers and professionals, instead of with money. Players and their representatives create player cards and are notified of when there is a compatible e-tryout, in which case they can submit their player cards and recruitment videos for consideration.
With this tool, every talented kid out there could truly have a chance.
5. Choosing the right platform
Some of the most frequently expressed concerns are, of course, money related:
These are all valid and important questions. Each scouting platform is different and those questions should be asked or researched thoroughly before signing-up. You’ll often find this information in the privacy policy/terms and conditions pages of the websites.
With regards to Tarfee, a free platform for both players and professionals, there really are no strings attached. See for yourself and request an invitation today!
