Decision-making skills of high-performance youth soccer players

Dennis Murr,Oliver Höner,Paul Larkin

doi:10.1007/s12662-020-00687-2

Dennis Murr, Oliver Höner + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12662-020-00687-2

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Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aimed to develop a valid video-based diagnostic instrument that assesses decision-making with a sport-specific motor response.MethodsA total of 86 German youth academy players (16.7 ± 0.9 years) viewed game situations projected on a large video screen and were required to make a decision by dribbling and passing to one of three targets (representing different decision options). The test included 48 clips separated into two categories: build-up (bu) and offensive decisions (off). Criterion-related validity was tested based on age (i.e., U16, U17, and U19), playing status (i.e., minutes played in official matches of the current season) and in a prospective approach relating to future youth national team status (i.e., selected or nonselected). Finally, it was investigated whether decision-making competence was influenced by playing position (i.e., defenders vs. midfielders vs. forwards).ResultsInstrumental reliability demonstrated satisfactory values for SCbu (r = 0.72), and lower for SCoff (r = 0.56). Results showed the diagnostic instrument is suitable for discriminating between playing status (SCbu: Φ = 0.22, p < 0.01; SCoff: Φ = 0.14, p < 0.05) and between younger (U16) and older players (U17 > U16 in SCbu: Φ = 0.24 and SCoff: Φ = 0.39, p < 0.01; U19 > U16 in SCbu: Φ = 0.41 and SCoff: Φ = 0.46, p < 0.01); however, there was no difference between U17 and U19 players. Furthermore, the predictive value of the test indicates that future youth national team players make better decisions with respect to the build-up category (SCbu: Φ = 0.20; p < 0.05), whereas playing position did not significantly influence decision-making competence.ConclusionResults indicate the video-based decision-making diagnostic instrument can discriminate decision-making competence within a high-performance youth group. The outcomes associated with national youth team participation demonstrate the predictive value of the diagnostic instrument. This study provides initial evidence to suggest a new video-based diagnostic instrument with a soccer-specific motor response can be used within a talent identification process to assist with assessment of decision-making performance.

Highlights

In team sports like soccer, a multidimensional spectrum of performance factors is required to perform at the elite level
This study provides initial evidence to suggest a new video-based diagnostic instrument with a soccer-specific motor response can be used within a talent identification process to assist with assessment of decision-making performance
While decision-making is defined by the ability to perceive appropriate stimuli and execute a sport-specific skill response, traditional video-based instruments assess decision-making using nonsport-specific responses such as verbal, written, or button responses (e.g., Roca et al, 2012). This study addressed this limitation by developing a valid first-person perspective video-based diagnostic instrument which requires a soccer-specific motor response

Summary

Introduction

In team sports like soccer, a multidimensional spectrum of performance factors is required to perform at the elite level. While researchers have used an expertise approach to highlight superior performance of expert/elite players over novice/nonelite players (e.g., Ruiz Pérez et al, 2014) research is scarce within talent promotion programs (e.g., regional association or youth national teams; youth academies) with high-performance level (e.g., elite) players. This statement is emphasized in a recent meta-analysis which explored cognitive functions measurements with performance level as the moderator variable (Scharfen & Memmert, 2019). While there is a plethora of studies examining known group differences, a potential reason for the lack of research examining homogenous samples could lie in the fact that it is more difficult to find large effect sizes for discriminating athletes of a similar ability (Bergkamp, Niessen, den Hartigh, Frencken, & Meijer, 2019)

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