Soccer Skill Development in Talented Players

• DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1323781
• Publication Date: 2013-03-05T03:20:16Z
• Authors: B.C. Huijgen; M. Elferink-Gemser; A. Ali; C. Visscher
• Keywords: Longitudinal Study; Running economy

The aim of the study was to gain insight into development soccer-specific skills and whether differences between talented players exist on Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT). Two scores were derived from LSPT: 1) execution time: time complete 16 passes (speed) 2) skill performance including bonus penalty for accuracy. consisted 2 parts, first which incorporated a quasi-longitudinal design with 270 aged 10-18 years performing LSPT (661 measurement occasions); multilevel modelling applied. Secondly, those allowed continue in program (selected, n=269) who forced leave (de-selected, n=50) investigated using independent sample t-tests. longitudinal data showed that predicted (i. e., speed) improved approximately 18% age (P<0.05), combination speed accuracy) improve 32% (P<0.05). second part selected outscored de-selected only not (P>0.05). In conclusion, high-level youth soccer, accuracy soccer might be more important than alone.