Analysis of the Influence of Skills on Playing Ability among Junior Soccer Players

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to analyse the relationship between the selected skills with the playing ability and the influence of skills on the playing ability among the soccer players of defending playing position. Method: 30 male soccer players (defenders) from Puducherry Union Territory, India, age ranged between 17 and 19 years were selected by random sampling technique(n=30). To assess the playing ability of the subjects, the rating technique was followed by using three experts. The skill performance (short pass, long pass, foot receiving and passing, thigh receiving and passing, chest receiving and passing, Defensive heading, attacking heading, dribbling and shooting) was quantified by adopting appropriate tests. The test reliability was established by the investigator by test retest method for 10 soccer players. Result: Among the selected skills, short pass (0.468, p< 0.05), thigh receiving and passing (0.508, p<0.05), chest receiving and passing (0.608, p<0.01), attacking heading (0.482, p< 0.05), defensive heading (0.755, p<0.01) and shooting (0.666, p<0.01) had positive significant relationship with the soccer playing ability. The 90% of playing ability of defenders is mainly due to the skills such as defensive heading (57), attacking heading (15%), long pass (11%) and shooting (7%).