scholarly journals “An Eye for Talent”: Talent Identification and the “Practical Sense” of Top-Level Soccer Coaches

2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mette Krogh Christensen
Keyword(s):  
Visual Experience ◽  
Process Analysis ◽  
Talent Identification ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Soccer Teams ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Sense

The purpose of this study is to explore how top-level soccer coaches identify talent. I draw on Bourdieu’s work to challenge a commonly held assumption that talent identification is a rational or objective process. Analysis of in-depth interviews with eight coaches of national youth soccer teams indicated these coaches identified talent in three ways. First, coaches use their practical sense and their visual experience to recognize patterns of movement among the players. Second, the coaches’ classificatory schemes are characterized by their preference for so-called “autotelic” players, that is, players that, from the coaches’ perspective, exhibit a potential to learn, practice, and improve. Third, the study shows that talent, of which the coaches act as arbiters of taste, is socially configured in top-level soccer.

Tactical skills of world-class youth soccer teams

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (8) ◽  
pp. 807-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rianne Kannekens ◽  
Marije T. Elferink-Gemser ◽  
Chris Visscher
Keyword(s):  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Soccer Teams ◽  
World Class ◽  
Class Youth

Assessing the validity of a video-based decision-making assessment for talent identification in youth soccer

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 729-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle J.M. Bennett ◽  
Andrew R. Novak ◽  
Matthew A. Pluss ◽  
Aaron J. Coutts ◽  
Job Fransen
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Talent Identification ◽  
Youth Soccer

scholarly journals Selected Cognitive Abilities in Elite Youth Soccer Players

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 267-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika Baláková ◽  
Petr Boschek ◽  
Lucie Skalíková
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Test System ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Soccer Teams ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices ◽  
Year 2000 ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract The identification of talent in soccer is critical to various programs. Although many research findings have been presented, there have been only a few attempts to assess their validity. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between talent and achievement variables in the Vienna Test System. The participants were 91 Czech soccer players, representing four youth soccer teams, who were born in the year 2000. These boys were divided into two groups according to their coaches’ assessments using a TALENT questionnaire. A two-factor model (component 1: “kinetic finesse”; component 2: “mental strength”) was designed to interpret the responses of the coaches on the questionnaire. The Vienna Test System was used to determine the level of players’ cognitive abilities. In total, the subjects performed seven tests in the following order: Raven’s Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM), a reaction test (RT), a determination test (DT), a visual pursuit test (LVT), a Corsi Block-Tapping Test (CORSI), a time/movement anticipation test (ZBA), and a peripheral perception test (PP). To analyze the relationship between talent and achievement variables within the Vienna Test System, correlation analyses were performed. The results revealed that the talented group attained significantly better results on only 1 of the 16 variables, which was ZBA2: movement anticipation - deviation of movement median (r = .217, p = .019). A comparison of the two talent components showed that component 1 (“kinetic finesse”) was a more significant factor than component 2 (“mental strength”). Although we observed statistically significant correlations, their actual significance remains questionable; thus, further research is required.

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.

Communicating about Youth’s Sun Exposure Risk to Soccer Coaches and Parents: A Pilot Study in Georgia

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roxanne Parrott ◽  
Ashley Duggan ◽  
Jeff Cremo ◽  
Alan Eckles ◽  
Karyn Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Role Models ◽  
Sun Exposure ◽  
Sun Protection ◽  
Recreational Sports ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Protective Behaviors ◽  
Exposure Risk ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Soccer Teams

Efforts to increase the sun-protective behaviors of children were extended to outdoor recreational sports and youth soccer settings in this study. The pretest results of a pilot survey of coaches ( n= 12), parents ( n= 50), and youths ( n= 61) on eight soccer teams in south Georgia were used to guide the development of a health education program for coaches. In the pilot program, half the coaches were trained to be involved in soccer-playing youths’ sun protection by acting as positive role models and promoting sun protection to youths and their parents. The pilot demonstrated coaches’ willingness to participate in sun protection promotion to youth: Youths indicated that coaches and parents were more likely to tell youths to wear sunscreen after the training than before, and coaches perceived getting youths to wear sunscreen to be less difficult than before.

The Epidemiology of Soccer Heading in Competitive Youth Players

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine M. Salinas ◽  
Frank M. Webbe ◽  
Trent T. Devore
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Observational Data ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Central Florida ◽  
Adolescents And Adults ◽  
Soccer Teams ◽  
Soccer Heading

We administered neurocognitive batteries to 49 youth soccer athletes (9–15 yr), who were selected from competitive soccer teams in Central Florida. We collected observational data on soccer heading, self-reported soccer heading, as well as demographics, including school, medical, and soccer history. Both the frequency and intensity of heading the ball in soccer was low in comparison with adolescents and adults. In our sample, the vast majority of soccer headings were of low to moderate intensity and direct (i.e., the incoming flight of the ball was perpendicular to the forehead). Age significantly correlated with frequent heading. Parents were reliable observers of their children’s soccer heading behavior and other at-risk behaviors during games. The majority of soccer headings were direct rather than flicks. Almost half of our participants reported headache and one-fourth reported dizziness after instances of heading the ball. Frequency of soccer heading was not related to neuropsychological score data.

Anthropometric, Muscular Fitness, and Injury History Comparisons by Gender of Youth Soccer Teams

1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-97
Author(s):  
John A. Nyland ◽  
David N.M. Caborn ◽  
Joseph A. Brosky ◽  
Carol L. Kneller ◽  
Gail Freidhoff
Keyword(s):  
Muscular Fitness ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Soccer Teams

Analysing sport organisations with youth soccer teams

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (15) ◽  
pp. A8-A8
Author(s):  
A. J. Santos ◽  
C. E. Goncalves
Keyword(s):  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Soccer Teams

Scoring mode and age-related effects on youth soccer teams’ defensive performance during small-sided games

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (14) ◽  
pp. 1355-1362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Humberto Almeida ◽  
Ricardo Duarte ◽  
Anna Volossovitch ◽  
António Paulo Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Soccer Teams

scholarly journals Talent Identification in Youth Soccer: Prognosis of U17 Soccer Performance on the Basis of General Athleticism and Talent Promotion Interventions in Second-Grade Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Hohmann ◽  
Maximilian Siener
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Dynamic Balance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Second Grade ◽  
Anthropometric Parameters ◽  
Talent Identification ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Motor Test ◽  
Physiological Tests

Several talent identification programs in elementary school have implemented motor diagnostics to introduce children to groups of sports, like game sports, or even to particular sports like soccer. However, as in most other sports, in youth soccer, the predictive value of such early testing is still unclear. This prospective study evaluated the midterm prognostic validity of generic motor performance tests. The sample consisted of male second-grade children, which had received a recommendation to participate in soccer. The talent screening campaign was a basic check comprising two anthropometric parameters, five physical fitness, and three motor competence diagnostics of the German Motor Test 6–18. The test data were collected from the participating elementary school classes of the years 2010 to 2014. The soccer competition performance of those children having completed the age of at least 15 years (n = 502) up to the end of the season 2019/2020 (2020, September 30) was recorded. This group of U17 players was then assigned individually to five different competition levels. The prognostic validity of the physical and physiological tests was determined using ANOVAs, odds ratios, and a regression path analysis. All diagnostic methods exhibited medium-to-high prognostic validity over the 8 year time span from the talent screening to the later soccer competitions in the adolescent age groups. For later success in soccer on the province level, the 6-min run (OR = 4.28), dynamic balance (OR = 4.04), and 20-m sprint (OR = 2.46), as well as the participation in the training center of the German Soccer Federation (OR = 5.67) and the diversity of club sport activities (OR = 3.56), were of particular importance.

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