A multifactorial comparison of Australian youth soccer players’ performance characteristics

The current study aimed to investigate the performance characteristics that discriminate Australian youth soccer players according to their academy status. A total of 165 youth soccer players participated in this study and were sub-divided into either an early adolescence ( n = 92, age = 13.0 ± 0.6 years) or mid-adolescence ( n = 73 age = 14.8 ± 0.6 years) group. Players completed multifactorial assessments of anthropometry, motor competence, physical fitness, decision-making and psychological traits. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Multivariate analysis of variance identified dynamic balancing ability (both age groups), object manipulation (mid-adolescence), lateral jumping ability (both age groups), linear speed over 5 m (both age groups), change of direction skill (mid-adolescence), intermittent aerobic endurance (mid-adolescence) and total response time on a decision-making assessment (early adolescence) to discriminate academy status. Interestingly, a binomial logistical regression showed that a 0.1 s decrease in sprint time (i.e. running faster) increased the odds of a player belonging to a tier one academy by 19% and 47% for early and mid-adolescent players, respectively. Overall, performance in the motor competence and physical fitness assessments were in favour of the tier one academy players. These findings are indicative of a potential selection bias in the Australian talent pool or a training effect whereby tier one academy programmes emphasise the development of physical attributes. However, future research is required to further substantiate this in a larger sample of youth soccer players from other playing regions within Australia.

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Modelling age-related changes in motor competence and physical fitness in high-level youth soccer players: implications for talent identification and development

Science and Medicine in Football ◽

10.1080/24733938.2017.1366039 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 203-208 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Job Fransen ◽

Kyle J.M Bennett ◽

Carl T Woods ◽

Neil French-Collier ◽

Dieter Deprez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Fitness ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Motor Competence ◽

Talent Identification ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Age Related ◽

High Level ◽

Age Related Changes

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Fundamental Tactical Principles of Soccer: a Comparison of Different Age Groups

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.1515/hukin-2017-0078 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 58 (1) ◽

pp. 207-214 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Paulo Henrique Borges ◽

José Guilherme ◽

Leandro Rechenchosky ◽

Luciane Cristina Arantes da Costa ◽

Wilson Rinadi

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Progressive Increase ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Study Analysis ◽

Cohen’S Kappa ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Cohen's Kappa

AbstractThe fundamental tactical principles of the game of soccer represent a set of action rules that guide behaviours related to the management of game space. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of fundamental offensive and defensive tactical principles among youth soccer players from 12 to 17 years old. The sample consisted of 3689 tactical actions performed by 48 soccer players in three age categories: under 13 (U-13), under 15 (U-15), and under 17 (U-17). Tactical performance was measured using the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUT-SAT). The Kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, Friedman, Wilcoxon, and Cohen’s Kappa tests were used in the study analysis. The results showed that the principles of “offensive coverage” (p = 0.01) and “concentration” (p = 0.04) were performed more frequently by the U-17 players than the U-13 players. The tactical principles “width and length” (p < 0.05) and “defensive unit” (p < 0.05) were executed more frequently by younger soccer players. It can be concluded that the frequency with which fundamental tactical principles are performed varies between the gaming categories, which implies that there is valuation of defensive security and a progressive increase in “offensive coverage” caused by increased confidence and security in offensive actions.

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Coaches’ Evaluations of Match Performance in Academy Soccer Players in Relation to the Adolescent Growth Spurt

Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise ◽

10.1007/s42978-020-00072-3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 359-366 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Megan Hill ◽

Sam Scott ◽

Darragh McGee ◽

Sean Cumming

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Growth Spurt ◽

Age Group ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Impact Performance ◽

Rate Of Growth ◽

Talent Selection ◽

Selection Decisions ◽

Player Performance

AbstractIndividual differences in biological maturation present challenges for coaches involved with youth soccer players. Youth in the same chronological age group vary in terms of stage of maturity (pre, circum- and post-pubescent) and rate of growth, but how this affects coaches’ evaluations of player performance is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare youth soccer coaches’ evaluations of players match performances before, during and post growth spurt in a professional English soccer academy across four seasons. Two hundred and seventy-eight male soccer players in the under-9 to under-16 age-groups had their performances evaluated by their coach on a 4-point Likert scale. For each game, players were categorised by their maturity status estimated using percentage of predicted adult height at the time of observation. A one-way ANCOVA controlling for the level of opposition and game outcome revealed that coaches’ evaluations declined from the pre- to during growth spurt stages, however, this was only significant in the under 12 age-group. Further, coaches’ evaluations increased again in the post-growth spurt stage, although only significant in the under 15 age-group. Coaches evaluations of player performance appear to vary in accordance with stage of maturity and rate of growth. Practitioners in youth soccer should understand the extent to which maturity status may adversely impact performance and consider this when making talent selection decisions.

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Landing Error Scoring System for Screening Risk Scores among Elite-Youth Soccer Players

Journal of Educational Issues ◽

10.5296/jei.v7i1.18485 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 351

Author(s):

Yasar Salci

Keyword(s):

Scoring System ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Screening Method ◽

Age Groups ◽

Neuromuscular Control ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Risk Scores ◽

Ligament Injury ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Anterior Cruciate

Identifying the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury is very important for the careers of elite players. When identifying risk factors, effective, easy, valid, reliable methods applicable to a large number of participants should be used. The purpose of this study was to compare the landing pattern of elite-youth soccer players using the landing error scoring system (LESS) which is a valid and reliable qualitative screening method. 95 volunteer elite-youth soccer players (U19, U17, U16 & U15) between the ages of 14 and 18 participated in this study. Jump-landings were recorded by two camcorders from sagittal and frontal planes. These records were replayed and scored by a trained rater on LESS score sheets. There were statistically significant differences in LESS scores among the soccer age groups (p = 0.00). Post-hoc analysis demonstrated significant differences between U19 and U17 (p = 0.00), U17 and U15 (p = 0.00) and U16 and U15 (p = 0.01) soccer players. The best LESS score was found in U17 players and U15 players had the weakest score. The higher LESS score of the U15 players may be related to the neuromuscular control ability however, more evidence is needed to confirm the potential influence of age categories on LESS scores.

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Internal, external and repeated-sprint demands in small-sided games: A comparison between bouts and age groups in elite youth soccer players

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0249906 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. e0249906

Author(s):

Richard Hauer ◽

Paul Störchle ◽

Bettina Karsten ◽

Harald Tschan ◽

Arnold Baca

Keyword(s):

Age Groups ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Internal Load ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Training Tool ◽

Low Intensity ◽

Repeated Sprint ◽

Age Related ◽

Younger Age ◽

Image Position

This study investigated the activity profile during small-sided games (SSG) in elite youth soccer players. Internal load (IL) including heart rate (HR) and external load (EL) such as distance covered in different speed-zones (SZ) were collected from forty-eight players of three different teams (U15, U16, U18). The investigation included a total of eighteen 5vs.5 SSGs, each consisting of four 2-minute bouts on a 40x32m pitch during spring season. Total group results (n = 48) showed a reduction in total-distance (p = 0.001; ηp2 = 0.12), high-intensity-running (p = 0.009; ηp2 = 0.09), and low-intensity-running distance (p = 0.028; ηp2 = 0.07) between bouts. Similarly, a reduction in the number of both acceleration-low (p = 0.001; ηp2 = 0.12) and deceleration-high (p = 0.003; ηp2 = 0.11) values was observed. Additionally, time spent in HR-zones 3 and 4 (p≤0.007; ηp2 ≥ 0.10), increased, with a reduction in HR-zone 1 (p = 0.000, ηp2 = 0.25). Age group comparison showed less distance covered in SZ 1 (p≤0.000; ηp2 = 0.56) and greater deceleration-high values (p≤0.038; ηp2 = 0.32) in U15 players compared to other age groups. Further, U15 showed lower values in low-intensity-running compared to U18 (p = 0.038; ηp2 = 0.22). No age-related differences were found for IL and repeated sprint ability (RSA) values. The higher EL in younger age groups should be taken into account when implementing soccer specific SSGs. In addition, HRmean values between 80–85% of HRmax and RSA numbers, which are similar to match-play data, indicate SSGs as an effective training tool to prepare youth soccer athletes for the demands of competition.

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Playing Position: Anthropometric and Fitness Demands in Youth Soccer

Sport Science Review ◽

10.2478/ssr-2014-0009 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (3-4) ◽

pp. 151-168

Author(s):

Aristotelis Gioldasis ◽

Evangelos Bekris ◽

Ioannis Gissis

Keyword(s):

Vertical Jump ◽

Age Groups ◽

The Other ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Early Age ◽

Short Term ◽

Running Speed ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Individualized Training ◽

Almost All

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the anthropometric and fitness characteristics of soccer players with different positional role. Although, players’ skills are not equally distributed in each position, at elite soccer they have to perform each skill at a sufficient level. However, coaches expertise those from an early age in specific positions without giving them an holistic individualized training. In the study participated 312 Greek players aged 6 to 17 (M= 11.89; SD= 2.33) of 5 age groups (group U7-U8; group U9-U10; group U11-U12; group U13-U14; group U15-U16; group U17). Anthropometric (height, weight, body mass index and body fat) and fitness characteristics (flexibility, vertical jump, running speed, agility and VO2max) of participants were measured. The study showed that goalkeepers and central defenders tend to perform worse than players of the other positional groups in most of their fitness characteristics for almost all the age groups. Furthermore, many tendencies were observed in anthropometric and fitness characteristics between players with different positional roles. This study provides suggestions to coaches regarding their practice of positioning players according to their anthropometric and fitness characteristics for a short term success.

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Perceptual-cognitive performance of youth soccer players in a 360°-environment – Differences between age groups and performance levels

Psychology of Sport and Exercise ◽

10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.102120 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 102120

Author(s):

Paul Ehmann ◽

Adam Beavan ◽

Jan Spielmann ◽

Jan Mayer ◽

Stefan Altmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Performance ◽

Age Groups ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Performance Levels ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

And Performance

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Training duration may not be a predisposing factor in potential maladaptations in talent development programmes that promote early specialisation in elite youth soccer

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching ◽

10.1177/1747954117752127 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 674-678 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thomas E Brownlee ◽

Andy O’Boyle ◽

Ryland Morgans ◽

James P Morton ◽

Robert M Erskine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Resistance Training ◽

Body Mass ◽

Age Groups ◽

Talent Development ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Predisposing Factor ◽

Match Play ◽

Training Time ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Soccer Training

Purpose To determine whether training duration is a predisposing factor in potential maladaptations in talent development programmes that promote early specialisation in elite youth soccer. Methods Training times and type of 184 elite soccer players, from the under-9 to under-21 age groups (age 9.4 to 18.4 yrs; stature 1.38 to 1.82 m; body mass 32.2 to 76.2 kg) were recorded. Results Total training time progressively increased between the under-9 (268 ± 25 min/week) and under-14 (477 ± 19 min/week) groups with the majority of training time (96.5 ± 3.9%) consisting of soccer training and matches. Total training time then subsequently reduced from under-14 to under-15 (266 ± 77 min/week) groups, with no differences in training time between under-15 and under-21. Only under-15 to under-21 players completed resistance training; this inclusion coincided with a reduction in soccer training and match play when compared to time spent in these activities for younger groups (73.8 ± 3.2% of total training). Conclusion Data suggest that although the majority of training is focused on technical development, the training duration as a whole is unlikely to contribute to potential maladaptations in talent development programmes in elite youth soccer.

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