A case study-based investigation into the factors that influence the physical and technical interactions on match performance within an under 18's academy football team.

Abstract

Youth Development in soccer is of growing importance with governing bodies, leagues and clubs placing high levels of emphasis on the development youth players. Previous research has focused on elite samples but has ignored youth football. Under 18 teams are seen as a key age for players where they are expected to take the step to professional first team football. Furthermore, previous studies analysing the impact of situational variables such as playing position and match location in relation to youth are missing. The aim of this study was to investigate how Physical and Technical match performance indicators are influenced over time periods, by the influence of match location (Home/Away); match status (winning/drawing/losing); and differences in playing positions in under 18 men’s academy soccer. Using 19 males from a single under 18s Premier League soccer club, 7 matches (5 home, 2 away) were used for analysis. Physical performance indicators used in this study include: individual total distance; high speed running; sprint efforts; accelerations; and decelerations. Technical performance indicators used in this study include passes; pass accuracy; forward pass; forward pass accuracy; side pass; side pass accuracy; back pass; back pass accuracy; as well as a range of defensive variables such as aerial duels and tackles. A selection of attacking variables included total shots; shooting accuracy; and line breaks. The results from this study showed no significant differences were identified across the Physical key performance indicators when comparing home and away games. Significant differences across home and away games were identified in Technical performance indicators with key findings in the total successful passes in 1st half of games (P = 0.034), unsuccessful shots in the 2nd half of games (P = 0.023) and total tackles (P = 0.031). Furthermore, performance indicators such as the total successful tackles (P = 0.055); successful shots in the 1st half of games (P = 0.058); and total passes in the 1st half of games (P = 0.052) were on the verge of significance. Further significant differences were identified in Physical and Technical variables across playing positions. This study identified significant differences in the total distance covered by players in the 1st half of games (P = 0.003) across Defender, Midfielder and Forward playing positions. There were further significant differences was identified in the total number of decelerations in the 1st half of games (P < 0.001) across Defender, Midfielder and Forward playing positions. The key findings of this research showed there was an influence of match location on Technical performance indicators during under 18s match performance however no significant differences were highlighted across Physical performance indicators. Furthermore, some significant differences were found when analysing the Physical performance indicators of under 18s players across Defender, Midfielder and Forward playing positions which were not supported by previous research studies, with skill demands of players not being aligned with playing positions. Overall, this research is the first of its kind in analysing the effects and impact of situational variables on Physical and Technical performance indicators in under 18s youth soccer, with the results providing insight into the current playing performance of under 18s academy soccer. The study will provide coaches with a greater level of understanding into true match demands in youth soccer match performance, allowing these factors to be considered when planning and implementing training sessions. Future research should further examine the situational variables that influence Physical and Technical performance indicators and how they influence the matches in order to gain a deeper understanding of this topic area.