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

Bennett, KJM; Novak, AR; Pluss, MA; Stevens, CJ; Coutts, AJ; Fransen, J

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

Bennett, KJM

Novak, AR

Pluss, MA

Stevens, CJ

Coutts, AJ

Fransen, J

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Science and Medicine in Football, 2018, 2 (3), pp. 231 - 236
Issue Date:: 2018-07-03

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Bennett, KJM https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2288-4770	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Novak, AR https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2949-4150	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Pluss, MA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1957-9636	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Stevens, CJ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4641-0342	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Coutts, AJ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1782-7691	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Fransen, J https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3355-1848	en_US
dc.date.issued	2018-07-03	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Science and Medicine in Football, 2018, 2 (3), pp. 231 - 236	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	2473-3938	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/134454
dc.description.abstract	© 2017, © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Purpose: This study adopted an exploratory approach to investigate the use of small-sided games as a talent identification tool to determine youth soccer players’ skill proficiency. Methods: A total of 73 male youth soccer players (age = 13.3 ± 1.2 years) were subdivided into two groups in accordance with their playing level (high-level: n = 36, low-level: n = 37). Within their levels, players completed 4 vs. 4 small-sided games on a 30 × 20 m playing surface under two conditions (condition 1: 5 × 3 min, condition 2: 3 × 5 min). Attempted and completed skill involvements were analysed using retrospective video analysis. Skill proficiency was determined as the total completed involvements relative to amount attempted. Results: Repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance identified that high-level players displayed a significantly greater number of attempted and completed passes, touches, and total skill involvements compared with low-level players. Only the number of attempted passes and total involvements differed between conditions for high-level players. High-level players’ total skill proficiency was significantly greater than their lower level counterparts. Conclusion: This study supports the use of small-sided games as a tool to assess soccer-specific skill proficiency, which coaches and sporting practitioners can apply in a talent identification setting.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Science and Medicine in Football	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1080/24733938.2017.1413246	en_US
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.title	The use of small-sided games to assess skill proficiency in youth soccer players: a talent identification tool	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	2	en_US
utslib.for	1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Sports and Exercise Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHT - Health Technologies
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Students
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.issue	3	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	2	en_US

Abstract:

© 2017, © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Purpose: This study adopted an exploratory approach to investigate the use of small-sided games as a talent identification tool to determine youth soccer players’ skill proficiency. Methods: A total of 73 male youth soccer players (age = 13.3 ± 1.2 years) were subdivided into two groups in accordance with their playing level (high-level: n = 36, low-level: n = 37). Within their levels, players completed 4 vs. 4 small-sided games on a 30 × 20 m playing surface under two conditions (condition 1: 5 × 3 min, condition 2: 3 × 5 min). Attempted and completed skill involvements were analysed using retrospective video analysis. Skill proficiency was determined as the total completed involvements relative to amount attempted. Results: Repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance identified that high-level players displayed a significantly greater number of attempted and completed passes, touches, and total skill involvements compared with low-level players. Only the number of attempted passes and total involvements differed between conditions for high-level players. High-level players’ total skill proficiency was significantly greater than their lower level counterparts. Conclusion: This study supports the use of small-sided games as a tool to assess soccer-specific skill proficiency, which coaches and sporting practitioners can apply in a talent identification setting.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/134454