The observational analysis of elite coaches within youth soccer: The importance of performance analysis

Journal article


Nicholls, Scott and Worsfold, Paul 2016. The observational analysis of elite coaches within youth soccer: The importance of performance analysis. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. 11 (6), pp. 825-831. https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954116676109
AuthorsNicholls, Scott and Worsfold, Paul
Abstract

The study investigated the observational capabilities of experienced elite coaches whilst focusing upon soccer specific actions and playing positions within elite youth soccer. Six soccer coaches assessed the performances of 10 youth soccer players (across 8 matches) on their short/long passing, tackling, shooting, heading and dribbling. Analysis was undertaken on an overall, quality and positional grouping basis. Mean observational accuracy was 38.8%, with successful shooting (78.6%) and passing (29.9%) illustrating the range. The limited effective observation of dribbling (37.2%), often considered a separating factor within talent identification, highlights the need for objective measures to aid such processes. Positional grouping analysis elicited ∼20% more effective observation for unsuccessful compared with successful actions. The poor level of observational accuracy identified herein has significant implications on talent identification assessments devoid of post-performance analyses. The findings reinforce the importance of performance analysis in the provision of highly accurate and comprehensive augmented feedback within the coaching process.

KeywordsSocial Sciences (miscellaneous); Association football; coaching process; talent identification; soccer skills
Year2016
JournalInternational Journal of Sports Science & Coaching
Journal citation11 (6), pp. 825-831
PublisherSAGE Publications
ISSN1747-9541
2048-397X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/1747954116676109
Web address (URL)http://hdl.handle.net/10545/625932
http://journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
hdl:10545/625932
Publication dates15 Nov 2016
Publication process dates
Deposited19 Aug 2021, 12:59
Accepted23 Mar 2016
Rights

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

ContributorsMiddlesex University, London, Manchester Institute of Health & Performance and University of Chester
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