Abstract
Adolescence is often viewed as a critical period for selection in youth soccer. The
present study compared the characteristics of regionally selected and non-selected
under-14 players (U-14) as a group and by position. Players were classified as local
(n=69) and regional (n=45). Weight, height, skinfolds, functional capacities, soccer
skills and goal orientation were measured and skeletal age was assessed with the Fels
method. Factorial ANOVA was used to test the effect of selection, position and respective
interaction terms, while discriminant analysis was used to identify the variables
that contributed to selection. Selected players had an advanced maturity status (F=24.97,
p<0.01), were heavier (F=30.67, p<0.01) and taller (F=35.07, p<0.01); performed better
in explosive power (F=21.25, p<0.01), repeated sprints (F=20.04, p<0.01) and ball
control (F=3.69, p<0.05); and were more ego oriented (F=13.29, p<0.01). The 2 competitive
groups did not differ in agility, aerobic endurance, dribbling, shooting, passing,
and task orientation. Position-related variation was negligible. The percentage of
players who were correctly classified in the original groups was slightly lower when
the analysis was performed for the total sample (86%) than by position (86–90%). Future
research on talent identification and selection should adopt a multidimensional approach
including variables related to the physiological, perceptual, cognitive and tactical
demands.
Key words
young athletes - growth - maturation - sport selection - specialization - goal orientations
References
Correspondence
mjcesilva@fcdef.uc.pt
