Differential Contributions to the Dribbling among the Adolescent Elite Boy Soccer Players Playing in Different Positions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the contribution of age, playing experience, selected anthropometric and motor fitness variables to the two skills of dribbling (with a pass and speed) among the adolescent elite boy soccer players in the different field positions. A total of 240 adolescent boys aged 13–17 who were members of premier league soccer teams in Iran were selected for the present study (the goalkeepers= 33, defenders= 73, midfielders= 89 and strikers= 45 subjects). The age and playing experience were assessed in years by a background questionnaire. The anthropometrical measurements encompassed 12 variables. Skin fold thickness measurements were taken using skin fold caliper at seven sites, and the motor fitness variables were 6 tests including the 50-yard dash, shuttle-run, sit and reach, vertical jump, Burpee and 1-mile run. Soccer performance tests were administered: dribbling with the pass and dribbling speed. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used in data processing. The age, playing experience, anthropometric and motor fitness variables contributed significantly (P<0.05) to soccer performance tests among the players playing in different positions, in different combinations to the variance of the dribbling with a pass and dribbling speed. In conclusion, the whole of the age, playing experience, and selected anthropometric and motor fitness variables were shown significantly as contribution to variation in the two soccer performance tests among the players playing in different positions.