Moving Toward a More Comprehensive Analysis of Acceleration Profiles in Elite Youth Football

In football, having greater acceleration ability may decide the most important moments within matches. Up to now, commonly used acceleration variables have typically been investigated in isolation, with each variable suffering from unique limitations. Subsequently, any findings may provide a limited representation of what specific acceleration demands had actually occurred. Without gaining a comprehensive understanding of acceleration demands in football, it appears difficult to identify how to best monitor and maximize the long-term development of acceleration ability in footballers, all whilst doing so in a safe, sport-specific manner. Moving toward a more comprehensive analysis of acceleration profiles addresses this, as it can provide a more robust, informative understanding of the unique acceleration demands of competitive match-play. This perspective article aims to discuss the benefits of adopting a more comprehensive analysis of the acceleration demands during competitive matches for football players, by simultaneously analyzing high-intensity accelerations, repeated high acceleration ability (RHAA), and average acceleration. We discuss examples of the calculation and application of a more comprehensive acceleration profile at a team level throughout the course of an entire elite youth football season, as well as on an individual level. Monitoring acceleration profiles more comprehensively not only appears important from a training load/injury prevention perspective, but also, equips coaches and conditioning staff with the specific information necessary to develop and prescribe individualized, acceleration-emphasized training protocols that are replicable to the demands of match-play. Examples of such protocols are provided.

PROFILE OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE IN YOUTH CLUB FOOTBALL (THE PRESENT SITUATION IN BLAGOEVGRAD REGION)

The end of the crisis in Bulgarian football is discussed through the perspective of solving the problems in youth football. Although organizational culture is essential for effectiveness within organizations, few studies are related to the organizational culture in (youth) football clubs in Bulgaria. The article aims at studying the organizational culture in three clubs from the Youth-17 League in the South-West Bulgaria Zone 1 and Zone 2. 60 players and 3 coaches participated in a survey conducted through OCAI (Cameron and Quinn). The weight of certain factors considered important for achievement in clubs was measured through dispersion analysis. The hierarchy and clan types are predominant in the club’s profiles. According to the analysis, the present state is characterized by fewer distractions than the desired state. ANOVA shows that the team success factor has the strongest influence regarding the differentiation of the clan (present state) and market (desired state) types of cultures. The competing experience factor has a lesser effect and differentiates the market and the adhocracy type of cultures (the desired state). The prospect factor differentiates between the clan and market type in the desired state. Both groups surveyed have similar preferences for the types of organizational culture in the teams, with the “strength” of the preference criteria having higher value with the coaches. The typical team sport profile of organizational culture is observed. Coaches can influence the sports training activities and manage the organizational culture in the clubs through the factors mentioned above when players are still young. The study is not representative of the South-West League and Bulgaria as a whole. Organizational culture significantly influences competing efficiency and good youth football players’ making.

Factors Associated with Hip and Groin Pain in Elite Youth Football Players: A Cohort Study

Background Despite hip and groin pain being commonly reported in elite youth football players, little evidence on risk factors exists. Risk factors in adult football players include reduced hip adductor strength and hip adductor/abductor strength ratios, and lower Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) subscale scores. It is unknown if these factors are also predictive of pain development in youth football players. Objective To identify whether preseason hip adductor and abductor strength and HAGOS subscale scores of male and female elite youth football players are associated with in-season or historical (lifetime) hip and groin pain. Methods Preseason hip adductor and abductor strength testing and the HAGOS were undertaken by 105 elite male (n = 58) and female (n = 47) football players aged 11–15 years. Medical staff documented both players’ self-reported historical and in-season hip and groin pain. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were undertaken with main outcome measures in-season hip and groin pain and historical hip and groin pain and independent variables of hip muscle strength, hip muscle torque and HAGOS subscale scores. Results Twenty-three players (21.9%) self-reported in-season hip and groin pain, while 19 players (18.1%) self-reported historical hip and groin pain. Pre-season hip adductor and abductor variables and HAGOS subscale scores failed to predict in-season hip and groin pain. However, a higher body mass index (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32; 95% CI 1.01, 1.73, p = .043) and being male (OR 5.71; 95% CI 1.65, 19.7) were associated with having in-season hip and groin pain (R2 = 0.211). There was also an association between historical hip and groin pain (R2 = 0.579) and both HAGOS subscale Quality of Life (odds ratio [OR] = 0.84; 95% CI 0.77, 0.91, p < .001) and mean abductor torque (OR = 11.85; 95% CI 1.52, 91.97; p = .018). Conclusion Pre-season hip adductor and abductor strength and HAGOS subscale scores did not predict subsequent in-season hip and groin pain in elite youth football players. However, pre-season higher hip abductor strength and lower HAGOS scores were retrospectively associated with historical hip and groin pain.

The influence of the opponent's quality on team offensive efficacy in youth football: an observational study with sequential analysis (La influencia de la calidad del oponente en la eficacia ofensiva del equipo en el fútbol juvenil: un estudio observacio

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the opponent’s quality on teams’ offensive efficacy of a Brazilian youth football team. The sample comprised 1.304 offensive sequences, from a U-17 team of the Paraná championship. The offensive sequences were divided according to the opponent’s quality (“high quality”, “intermediate quality” and “low quality”). Team’s offensive patterns were analysed through Lag Sequential Analysis. Thus, SoccerEye and SDIS-GSEQ software’s were used (p≤.05; z≥1.96). Offensive patterns with efficacy occurred mainly from directly ball recoveries (lag -5: z=3.13; lag -3: z=2.93), with progression through ball conduction (lag -4: z=2.85; lag -3: z=2.40; lag -2: z=2.64) and dribble (lag -5: 2.62; lag -2: z=2.51; lag -1: z=2.13; 1.97), playing between the lines against the opponent's last defenders’ line (lag -1: z=3.42; 2.72; 2.05; lag 0: z=4.65; 5.06; 3.15; 3.02) or performing rupture unmarks for the empty space between the goalkeeper and the last defensive line (lag -4: z=3.11; lag -1: z=3.48; lag 0: z=4.13; 7.80). Pressed numerical equality in game centre at defensive zones stimulated the possession loss (lag -2: z= 2.06; lag -1: z=3.01; lag 0: z=3.41; 1.96), demonstrating the importance of the numerical and spatial relationship for the effectiveness of actions. The opponent’s quality generated some oscillations in the patterns, nonetheless, in most patterns this team maintained similar behaviours. Considering this youth team, it is suggested that players be encouraged, regardless of the opponent's quality, to advance quickly from the defensive field; dominates the spaces between the lines; perform dribble, ball conduction and rupture unmarks towards the space between the goalkeeper and the opponent's last defensive line; in addition to pressing the opponent into their own field. Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la influencia de la calidad del oponente en la eficacia ofensiva de un equipo de fútbol Juvenil de Brasil. Se analizaron 1.304 secuencias ofensivas, extraído de 17 partidos de este equipo en el Campeonato Sub-17 de Paraná, 2019. Las secuencias ofensivas se dividieron según la calidad del oponente ("alta calidad", "calidad intermedia" y "baja calidad"). Los patrones ofensivos del equipo se analizaron a través del análisis secuencial de retardos. Por lo tanto, se utilizaron los softwares SoccerEye y SDIS-GSEQ (p≤.05; z≥1.96). Los patrones ofensivos con eficacia ocurrieron principalmente a partir de recuperaciones directas de balón (lag -5: z=3.13; lag -3: z=2.93), con progresión a través de conducción (lag -4: z=2.85; lag -3: z=2.40; lag -2: z=2.64) y gambeta (lag -5: 2.62; lag -2: z=2.51; lag -1: z=2.13; 1.97), jugando entre líneas contra la última línea de defensores del oponente (lag -1: z=3.42; 2.72; 2.05; lag 0: z=4.65; 5.06; 3.15; 3.02) o realizando desmarques de ruptura para el espacio vacío entre el portero y la última línea de defensa (lag -4: z=3.11; lag -1: z=3.48; lag 0: z=4.13; 7.80). La igualdad numérica presionada en el centro de juego en las zonas defensivas estimuló la pérdida de posesión (lag -2: z= 2.06; lag -1: z=3.01; lag 0: z=3.41; 1.96), demostrando la importancia de la relación numérica y espacial para la efectividad de las acciones. La calidad del oponente generó algunas oscilaciones en los patrones, sin embargo, en la mayoría de los patrones este equipo mantuvo comportamientos similares. Teniendo en cuenta este equipo juvenil, se sugiere que se aliente a los jugadores, independientemente de la calidad del oponente, a avanzar rápidamente desde el campo defensivo; dominar los espacios entre líneas; realizar gambeta, conducción y desmarques de ruptura hacia el espacio entre el portero y la última línea defensiva del adversario; además de presionar al oponente en su propio campo.