Charting and scouting are two different things in my mind. Let me pre-qualify this post with I was an English major, not a math major. So when I see all of these stats on which side so and so is most proficient I often think it might not be that simple.
If I played a pro and they drove served my forehand only for a majority of the time the stats would say I have a weaker forehand. If they served my backhand, same scenario. If I played someone at my level the stats probably would say I have a better backhand.
Forget the stats for a minute and scout the match.
The ball is on the left side of the court and player leaves the ball up over and over. The ball is on the right side of the court and the ball is being put away with winning shots. The ball is lobbed and the the player goes to the ceiling or ball is lobbed and the player looks very comfortable cutting it off.
What is most helpful to me is how the game is being played on both sides of the court. I try to make the scouting report as simple as possible. What game plan can a player follow?
Make them beat your from the (area of court) ________________ (fill in the blank). This is where the opponent does not want the ball and where you want to exploit. I can remember match after match I am hoping my opponent does not give me (certain serve) _______________(fill in the blank) to the (right or left) and the best players always gave me that serve. They knew.
Another thing stats might miss is the speed of the serve and the return. Player A serves same speed from same place and player B crushes it. Player A moves around in the service zone and hits the serve at different speeds and player B might not be so effective on return of serve.
Stats can tell you the weaker side when two evenly matched players compete but even then, failure to use some of the weapons mentioned above will mislead the statistician.
Then there is the disposition of the opponent. Two examples might be raging bull or loose graceful athlete mentality? Each poses it’s own problems and solutions.
Many other factors such as court surface, altitude, injury etc. will affect those stats also. Look at the stats for sure, but scout the match too!!
Go get’em tigers!!