The effect of bio-banding on technical and tactical indicators of talent identification in academy soccer players

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Towlson ◽  
Calum MacMaster ◽  
Bruno Gonçalves ◽  
Jaime Sampaio ◽  
John Toner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soccer Players ◽  
Talent Identification

Technical attributes of Australian youth soccer players: Implications for talent identification

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 819-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad S Keller ◽  
Annette J Raynor ◽  
Lyndell Bruce ◽  
Fiona Iredale
Keyword(s):  
The State ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Receiver Operating Curve ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Talent Identification ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Technical Ability ◽  
State Elite ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Hoc

Objectives To determine whether the technical ability of Australian youth soccer players could distinguish between various playing levels. Design A cross-sectional observational design was used with each player required to complete four technical tests. Methods Sixty-two participants were representatives of three cohorts of youth soccer in Australia: national elite ( n = 18), state elite ( n = 22) and sub-elite ( n = 22). The technical tests used were Loughborough Short Passing Test (LSPT), long passing test (LPT), shooting test and speed dribbling, with all players familiarised with the tests prior to data collection. Differences between cohorts were analysed using a multiple analysis of variance test with follow-up analyses of variance and Tukey Honest Significant Difference post-hoc test, which were subsequently used to inform a sensitivity analysis, more specifically a bootstrapped receiver operating curve to determine cut-off scores for each variable. Results The national elite cohort scored better than state- and sub-elite cohorts on the LSPT, however, the state elite produced the fastest time before penalties. The sub-elite cohort scored less points on the LPT compared to both national- and state-elite cohorts, on both feet. In regards to speed dribbling, national-elite players were faster than both the state- and sub-elite cohorts. Shooting accuracy and velocity were able to discriminate the national- and sub-elite cohorts on the dominant foot, with shooting velocity on the nondominant foot being faster for the national elite compared to both the state- and sub-elite cohorts. Conclusions A number of differences in technical ability were identified between varying levels of Australian youth soccer players. Youth soccer coaches and sports scientists should use the cut-off scores for the technical tests in the talent identification and development process, with aspiring players aiming to reach these levels.

scholarly journals Longitudinal Physical Development of Future Professional Male Soccer Players: Implications for Talent Identification and Development?

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Saward ◽  
Mark Hulse ◽  
John G. Morris ◽  
Heita Goto ◽  
Caroline Sunderland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Development ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Talent Identification

scholarly journals Physiological Characteristics of Female Soccer Players and Health and Performance Considerations: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca K. Randell ◽  
Thomas Clifford ◽  
Barry Drust ◽  
Samantha L. Moss ◽  
Viswanath B. Unnithan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Injury Risk ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Cycle Phase ◽  
Physical Demands ◽  
Talent Identification ◽  
Modifiable Factors ◽  
And Performance

AbstractFemale soccer has seen a substantial rise in participation, as well as increased financial support from governing bodies over the last decade. Thus, there is an onus on researchers and medical departments to develop a better understanding of the physical characteristics and demands, and the health and performance needs of female soccer players. In this review, we discuss the current research, as well as the knowledge gaps, of six major topics: physical demands, talent identification, body composition, injury risk and prevention, health and nutrition. Data on female talent identification are scarce, and future studies need to elucidate the influence of relative age and maturation selection across age groups. Regarding the physical demands, more research is needed on the pattern of high-intensity sprinting during matches and the contribution of soccer-specific movements. Injuries are not uncommon in female soccer players, but targeting intrinsically modifiable factors with injury prevention programmes can reduce injury rates. The anthropometric and physical characteristics of female players are heterogeneous and setting specific targets should be discouraged in youth and sub-elite players. Menstrual cycle phase may influence performance and injury risk; however, there are few studies in soccer players. Nutrition plays a critical role in health and performance and ensuring adequate energy intake remains a priority. Despite recent progress, there is considerably less research in female than male soccer players. Many gaps in our understanding of how best to develop and manage the health and performance of female soccer players remain.

scholarly journals The observational analysis of elite coaches within youth soccer: The importance of performance analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 825-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott B Nicholls ◽  
Paul R Worsfold
Keyword(s):  
Performance Analysis ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Objective Measures ◽  
Augmented Feedback ◽  
Talent Identification ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Coaching Process ◽  
Observational Accuracy ◽  
Performance Analyses

The study investigated the observational capabilities of experienced elite coaches whilst focusing upon soccer specific actions and playing positions within elite youth soccer. Six soccer coaches assessed the performances of 10 youth soccer players (across 8 matches) on their short/long passing, tackling, shooting, heading and dribbling. Analysis was undertaken on an overall, quality and positional grouping basis. Mean observational accuracy was 38.8%, with successful shooting (78.6%) and passing (29.9%) illustrating the range. The limited effective observation of dribbling (37.2%), often considered a separating factor within talent identification, highlights the need for objective measures to aid such processes. Positional grouping analysis elicited ∼20% more effective observation for unsuccessful compared with successful actions. The poor level of observational accuracy identified herein has significant implications on talent identification assessments devoid of post-performance analyses. The findings reinforce the importance of performance analysis in the provision of highly accurate and comprehensive augmented feedback within the coaching process.

The use of small-sided games to assess skill proficiency in youth soccer players: a talent identification tool

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle J. M. Bennett ◽  
Andrew R. Novak ◽  
Matthew A. Pluss ◽  
Christopher J. Stevens ◽  
Aaron J. Coutts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soccer Players ◽  
Talent Identification ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Identification Tool

scholarly journals Leveling the Playing Field: A New Proposed Method to Address Relative Age- and Maturity-Related Bias in Soccer

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Werner F. Helsen ◽  
Martine Thomis ◽  
Janet L. Starkes ◽  
Sander Vrijens ◽  
Gerrit Ooms ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Difference ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Current Method ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Age Difference ◽  
Talent Identification ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Professional Soccer ◽  
Age Category

Despite various solutions proposed to solve the relative age effect (RAE), it is still a major problem confounding talent identification and selection processes. In the first phase, we sampled 302 under 7–21 academy soccer players from two Belgian professional soccer clubs to explore the potential of a new approach to solve the inequalities resulting from relative age- and maturity-related bias. This approach allocates players into four discrete quartile groups based on the midway point of their chronological and estimated developmental (ED) birth dates (calculated using the growth curves for stature of Belgian youth). With the use of chi square analyses, a RAE was found (p < 0.01) for the overall sample (Q1 = 41.4% vs. Q4 = 14.9%) that completely disappeared after reallocation (Q1 = 26.5%; Q2 = 21.9%; Q3 = 27.5%; Q4 = 24.2%). According to the new allocation method, the stature difference was reduced, on average, by 11.6 cm (from 24.0 ± 9.9 to 12.4 ± 3.4 cm, d = 1.57). Body mass difference between the two methods was 1.9 kg (20.1 ± 11.3–18.2 ± 13.1 kg, respectively, d = 0.15). The new method created a maximum chronological age difference of 1.9 vs. 0.8 years for the current method. With the use of this method, 47% of the players would be reallocated. Twenty-three percent would be moved up one age category, and 21% would be moved down. In the second phase, we also examined 80 UK academy soccer players to explore if reallocating players reduces the within-playing group variation of somatic and physical fitness characteristics. The percentage coefficient of variation (%CV) was reduced (0.2–10.1%) in 15 out of 20 metrics across U11–U16 age categories, with the U13 age category demonstrating the largest reductions (0.9–10.1%) in CV. The U12 and U13 age categories and associated reallocation groupings showed trivial to small (ES = 0.0–0.5) between-method differences and trivial to moderate (ES = 0.0–1.1) differences within the U14–U16 age categories. A reduction in RAE may lead to fewer dropouts and thus a larger player pool, which benefits, in turn, talent identification, selection, and development.

scholarly journals The effect of bio-banding on physical and psychological indicators of talent identification in academy soccer players

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Towlson ◽  
Calum MacMaster ◽  
Bruno Gonçalves ◽  
Jaime Sampaio ◽  
John Toner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soccer Players ◽  
Talent Identification ◽  
Psychological Indicators
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