Selection Of Players Research Articles

Optimization of U-23 futsal player selection through a simple additive weighting approach

Futsal playing skills are the main support in successfully achieving the goals of the game. There are several underlying techniques that every player needs to master, including passing, dribbling, controlling, chipping and shooting. This study aims to optimize the selection process for the best futsal players using the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method. The SAW method was chosen because of its ability to combine various selection criteria into one composite score, which makes decision-making easier. This research involves analyzing the needs of a futsal group to determine the relevant criteria and weights in selecting a group of players, such as passing, control, dribbling, chipping, and shooting. These indicators provide a more comprehensive picture of the capabilities and potential of the player group. Potential futsal group data are collected and processed using the SAW method with a weighted sum of the performance ratings for each alternative from all attributes. The SAW method requires a matrix normalization process on a scale that can be compared with all existing alternative ratings to produce objective and transparent ratings for the player groups. Based on the results of calculations using the SAW method, the assessment results for the prospective group of futsal players were obtained based on the specified criteria and weights. The highest score was achieved by Banyumas 1 with a score of 0.85. The research results show that the application of the SAW method in the selection process for futsal players increases the efficiency and accuracy of selecting new players. By using this approach, Porprov can more easily identify the best candidates to meet their needs.

Relative age effect in Mexican professional and youth soccer

In youth football, categories are defined by the players’ year of birth. In one category, there can be an age difference of almost 12 months, which may manifest itself in considerable physical differences. The impact of this "relative age" is reflected in elite teams by an overrepresentation of players born in the first months of the year, called "Relative Age Effect" (RAE). In the present study, this bias was analyzed among the 4499 Mexican players (3531 men, 968 women), registered by the 18 professional clubs for the 2022 season in men’s First Division, their U20, U18, U17, U16, U14 categories, women's First Division, and their U17 categories. From every player were collected: birthday, playing position, minutes played for their teams, and their teams’ final rank in the National Championships. In all categories, except women's First Division, a statistically significant RAE was found, whose size was greater in the lower categories than in the major ones. The playing positions that presented a higher size of RAE were not the same in the different categories. A positive correlation was found between RAE and individual and team performances. These results indicate the need to take a deeper look at the selection and development processes of talented players in Mexico, because players initially favored by their greater relative age do not reach the professional soccer teams in the same proportion.

Talent identification and development strategies in elite women’s soccer: a pan-European perspective

ABSTRACT The question of how best to identify and develop youth soccer players has received considerable attention from the scientific community. Existing literature has, however, largely focused on male players, with comparatively little exploration of the specific approaches employed within women’s soccer. Accordingly, we sought to investigate the key factors deemed important by elite women’s soccer clubs concerning the: 1) identification of potential talent; 2) development of players within the player pathway; and 3) selection of players for the next age group or senior team. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews with 11 key representatives from seven elite women’s soccer clubs. Clubs were purposefully sampled to include the highest performing teams (38 domestic titles and 10 UEFA Women’s Champions League titles) from five European nations (Spain, France, Sweden, Germany, and Italy). Data were analysed using thematic content analysis, resulting in six higher-order themes: 1) prioritising local talent; 2) recruitment from mixed grassroots leagues; 3) creating challenging developmental environments; 4) ensuring player wellbeing; 5) patience in decision-making; and 6) facilitating the youth-to-senior transition through a top-down approach. A total of 17 lower-order themes were subsequently identified. The present study offers novel insights of key strategies deemed important by some of the most successful women’s clubs in top-performing European nations. Future research examining the efficacy of such approaches could help inform the development of evidence-based practices for nurturing the next generation of elite female players.

Forecasting bowler performance in One-Day International cricket using Machine learning

In cricket’s dynamic environment, bowlers’ performances are a key factor in determining success. In this dynamic sport, our study explores the field of bowler performance predictive analytics to enable decision-makers and strategists. Using advanced machine learning techniques, we provide a comprehensive analysis targeted at predicting and analyzing the complex factors impacting bowlers’ performance on the field. This research methodology is based on the sophisticated use of machine learning algorithms to develop a reliable prediction model. Our study reveals an abundance of information about the complex interactions between these diverse factors and how they affect bowler performance. Specifically, we highlight the important impact that opposing dynamics and contextual factors like venue-specific performance trends play, emphasizing the necessity of flexible tactics that depend on contextual circumstances. Prediction methods have significant ramifications not only in cricket but also in other fields. They provide actionable insights for player selection, strategic planning, and ongoing performance evaluation, making them indispensable tools for cricketing companies. Moreover, our study broadens the scope of predictive analytics and holds potential for use in a variety of sports and sectors that depend on complex strategic decision-making. This research demonstrates the critical role that predictive analytics plays in cricket. It offers a rigorous model for predicting and understanding the complex dynamics of bowler performance, greatly enhancing strategic decision-making within the game and expanding its potential into other areas.

Theoretical and methodological foundations of the organization of sports selection of Spanish football players

In the final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was held on the fields of the Republic of South Africa (South Africa), the Spanish national team defeated the national team of the Netherlands and became the world champion for the first time in its history. The basis of the Spanish championship team was made up of pupils of the world-famous Barcelona football academy "La Masia". The football academy of the Spanish-Catalan "Barcelona" with the name "La Masia" was founded in 1979, but received real recognition in the 90s of the twentieth century. At that time, the main professional team of the Barcelona football club as a head coach was headed by the Dutchman Johan Cruyff. It was the "Flying Dutchman", as the three-time Ballon d'Or winner was then called the best player in Europe, who introduced a systematic approach and a general educational methodology for educating young people into the activities of the Barcelona academy. The purpose of the study is to determine the features of the organization, conduct and scientific and methodological support of the process of teaching the game and sports selection and game orientation of football players in Spain. The study of the phenomenon of Spanish football as a successful long-term sports project is an important aspect of a systematic approach to solving the problems of sports selection and game orientation of football players in Ukraine.

Physical Characteristics and Somotatype of Myanmar National Hockey Players

Introduction: Performance in Field Hockey depends on different factors. Physical characteristics along with the Body shape and size of the players are one of them. The present study was aimed to find out the physical characteristics as well as Somatotypes of Myanmar National Field Hockey players. Methods: Twenty national Field Hockey players were measured for their height, weight, and Somatotype during their visit to a neighbuor country for a friendship tour. Health-Carter method (1967) was followed to calculate the Somatotype components. Results: The average Age, Height, and Weight of the Myanmar Hockey players of the present study were 21.7 (±1.1) yr, 164.8 (±4.6) cm, and 56.5 (±5.1) kg respectively. An average Somatotype of 1.7(±0.5)-3.8(±0.9)-2.9(±0.8) was observed for the present study. Conclusions: Most of the players (55 % ) were with Ectomorphic mesomorph body type, whereas 30 % of players were with Mesomorphic ectomorph body type. Rest were with Balanced mesomorph, Endomorphic mesomorph, and Mesomorph ectomorph body type. Compared to other countries, Myanmar Hockey players were shorter than their international counterparts. Thus, the height of the players should be considered during the selection of players at an early stage of Talent identification for good performance in Field Hockey.

Biomechanical Analysis of Smash Stroke in Badminton: A Comparative Study of Elite and Recreational Players: a systematic review

Background and Study Aim: This study aims to conduct a biomechanical analysis of smash shots in badminton with a focus on the comparison between elite and recreational players. In this context, an in-depth understanding of the biomechanical characteristics of smash shots is expected to provide insight into the key factors that differentiate between elite and recreational players. By involving a systematic review of the existing literature, this study sought to make an essential contribution to a comprehensive understanding of the biomechanical aspects of smash shots.Material and Methods: This study utilized a systematic review design by conducting a literature search through several relevant databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established to select studies that fit the research objectives. The selection of elite and recreational players as research subjects was the main focal point, with significant biomechanical variables identified. Data analysis was conducted by detailing the key results related to smash shots of both groups of players. Results: A systematic analysis of the literature revealed significant differences in the biomechanics of smash shots between elite and recreational badminton players. Elite players exhibited more optimized movement patterns, racket speed and body coordination, giving them an edge in smash stroke execution. These findings reinforce the importance of certain biomechanical factors that need to be considered in the practice and development of smash shot skills to achieve higher levels of performance.Conclusions: Based on systematic analysis, the conclusion of this study confirms that elite badminton players have significantly different biomechanical characteristics in smash shots compared to recreational players. The implication is that specialized drills and training can be directed towards improving certain biomechanical aspects to enhance smash stroke performance. This study provides an essential foundation for the development of more effective training methods in improving the technical abilities of badminton players, both for those at the elite and recreational levels. Keywords: Smash Stroke Biomechanics, Badminton, Comparison of Elite and Recreational Players, Systematic Review, Badminton Player Performance Analysis

“Zero-sum game” or “win-win cooperation”: an analysis of the evolution effect of competition neutrality based on the participation of four parties

To effectively grasp the interactive evolution mechanism of relevant entities in the process of competitive neutrality and reveal the impact of the implementation effect of the principle of competitive neutrality on the evolution path of the game system is the key to guiding the development of the government, industry associations and enterprises with reasonable policies. The equilibrium point of the game is analyzed by the four-party evolutionary game model, and the influence of the change of relevant parameters on the evolution result of the game system is further simulated by numerical simulation. The results show that the central government supervision plays an important role in guiding the strategy selection of different game players. By raising the penalty standards for non-neutral competitive behavior of market players and increasing the non-neutral penalty for local governments, the system can evolve faster to the ideal state of “loose supervision by the central government, neutral implementation by local governments, strong supervision by industry associations, and active cooperation by enterprises.” Therefore, to improve the execution effect of competitive neutrality, the central government shall formulate a reasonable regulatory system, and to maximize inspire the enthusiasm of local government, industry associations and enterprises, to promote stability in the sustainable development of the market.

Development of Evaluation Criteria for Physique and Basic Physical Fitness in Korean Middle School Soccer Players: Focusing on Gyeonggi-Do

PURPOSE This study aimed to develop physique and basic physical fitness evaluation criteria for middle school soccer players, providing a foundation for training and player development to be used by coaches in the field.METHODS The study involved 440 middle school soccer players (Grade 1=178, Grade 2=132, and Grade 3=130). Measurements were conducted on seven physique and ten basic physical fitness factors. Measurement results were organized using Windows Excel 2021 and descriptive statistics were performed using Windows SPSS 26.0. Based on the descriptive statistics of the measurement results, the Cajori 5-Grade evaluation method was applied to establish evaluation criteria for each grade and fitness component.RESULTS The study results provide evaluation criteria for middle school soccer players based on the measured data, considering grade, physique, and basic physical fitness.CONCLUSIONS The criteria established in this study are expected to be widely utilized by coaches in the field to set training goals for areas such as player selection, development, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.

Implementation of the Profile Matching Method in a Football Player Position Decision Support

This study aims to overcome this issue by objectively determining the best positions of the soccer players through the application of the Profile Matching technique. The process consists of five steps: GAP values are first determined by comparing each player's unique traits to predetermined benchmarks. Next, compute the primary and secondary standards, establish weighted scores by utilizing the GAP values, compute the GAP values by contrasting specific player attributes with predetermined benchmarks, compute the overall scores, and order players according to their performance. A weighted combination of mental, physical, and skill criteria (30, 40%, and 30%, respectively) determines the final positions. The results demonstrate how effectively this rigorous technique scores the participants. This process offers a logical and objective approach to player selection, enhancing the precision and effectiveness of decision-making in soccer team management.

Player selection in football by integrated SWARA-VIKOR methods under fuzzy environment

This study aims to provide an objective evaluation and selection of the most suitable players for the Turkish National Football Team by using multi-criteria decision-making methods, specifically Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) and VIsekriterijumsko KOmpromisno Rangiranje (VIKOR) based on neutrosophic numbers. In the initial step of the study, the important criteria for player selection were determined, and a total of 21 and 26 criteria were identified for goalkeeper and players, respectively. Agility, reflexes and jumping ability are very important for goalkeeper whereas marking, passing ability, agility, dribbling, and footwork are the most important criteria for players. The performances of the players were evaluated due to these criteria and finally the Turkish National Football Team was established scientifically because of the best player selection. This decision-making process will be more beneficial in making more informed and effective decisions in the national team's player selection process. The success of the team can be improved by providing an objective and systematic player selection approach.

Exploring the existence, strength, and independence of relative age and maturation selection biases: a case study in Gaelic football talent development programmes

Background Biological maturity and relative age player selection biases are well documented in youth sports. However, there has been limited examination of the relationship between these biases. Aim This study investigated the presence, strength, and independence of relative age and biological maturity selection biases in Gaelic football. Subjects and methods A total of 247 male players from U14 to U16, from two talent academies were assessed for relative age (decimal age (DA)) and biological maturity (discrepancy between biological and chronological age (BA-CA)). Results Relative age effects (RAE) were observed in the U14 (DA = 0.62, d = 0.40) and U15 squads (DA = 0.57. d = 0.26) only. A bias towards advanced maturity status was present at U14 (BA-CA = 0.60, d = 0.83), U15 (BA-CA = 0.78, d = 0.89), and U16 (BA-CA, d = 1.01). There was a trivial (U14, r(83) = −0.210; U15, r(88) = 0.060) and low (U16, r(76) = 0.352) correlation between relative age and maturity status. Conclusion Substantial maturity selection biases and, to a lesser degree, relative age biases are evident in youth Gaelic football. Critically, these biases are independent constructs. Coaches and policy makers should be educated on the distinct influences of relative age and maturation, and on strategies to address these biases.

Developing a Soccer Player's Performance Index Model for Chinese Professional Football: Integrating Physical Condition, Match Performance and Team Circumstance

The study aims to develop a soccer player’s performance index (SPPI) model for Chinese professional football players by integrating their physical condition, match performance, and team circumstances. The model is intended to identify potential talents and address the challenge of evaluating unknown players in player selection. Moreover, the study found a non-linear relationship between age and SPPI, which suggests that future research on Chinese professional soccer players’ aging curves could benefit from using non-linear models. Overall, the findings of this study provide valuable insights for talent identification and player performance evaluation in Chinese professional soccer.

Enhanced Player Discovery via Machine Learning

Forecasting the number of Olympic medals for each nation is highly relevant for different stakeholders: Ex ante, sports betting companies can determine the odds while sponsors and media companies can allocate their resources to promising teams. Ex post, sports politicians and managers can benchmark the performance of their teams and evaluate the drivers of success. To significantly increase the Olympic medal forecasting accuracy, we apply machine learning, more specifically a two-staged, thus outperforming more traditional naïve forecast for three previous Olympics held in the past years. In our project best player is predicted by algorithms namely Naïve Bayes (NB) as existing and K Nearest Neighbor (KNN) as proposed system and compared in terms of Accuracy. From the results obtained its proved that proposed KNN works better than existing NB. This project aims to develop a machine learning solution in Python for searching and ranking the best players based on their performance metrics. The project involves collecting and preprocessing relevant player data, including statistics and attributes. Various machine learning algorithms, such as regression or ranking models, are explored to predict player performance. The trained model is then deployed to make real-time predictions, assisting sports teams or gaming platforms in selecting the most suitable players. The project highlights the potential of machine learning in optimizing player selection processes, offering a scalable and data-driven approach to identifying top performers.

Exploring the Multidimensional Characteristics of Selected and Non-Selected White British and British South Asian Youth Cricketers: An Exploratory Machine Learning Approach

Selection into a County Age Group (CAG; under 10–18) programme is the first step for young aspiring cricketers on their journey to achieving professional status. Recognising that the British South Asian (BSA) community represents 30% of those who play recreational cricket compared to less than 5% of those who are selected to play at the professional level in England and Wales, it is important to better understand the characteristics of selected and non-selected players based on ethnicity to identify potential sociocultural differences during selection. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the multidimensional factors that differentiated between selected and non-selected adolescent male cricketers as well as between White British (WB) and BSA selected players into a CAG programme. A total of 82 male participants aged between 14 and 17 years were included (mean = 15.3 ± 1.1 years: selected n = 33 and non-selected n = 49: WB n = 34, BSA n = 44, Other n = 4). In total, 104 characteristics were measured over nine tests, which were subsequently placed into five overarching factors: (a) physiological and anthropometrical, (b) perceptual–cognitive expertise, (c) psychological, (d) participation history, and (e) socio-cultural influences. A Bayesian binomial regression was performed in rSTAN using a weak normal prior to highlight differentiators in selection as well as differences between WB and BSA selected players. The results highlighted that athleticism, wellbeing and cohesion, the number of older brothers, and being born in birth quarters two and three were positively correlated with player selection into a CAG. Conversely, increases in psychological scores, a greater number of younger brothers and older sisters, as well as antisocial behaviour resulted in a reduced chance of player selection. Finally, several developmental factors (i.e., athleticism, wellbeing and cohesion, psychological distress, and levels of anti-social behaviour) differed based on ethnicity. These exploratory findings serve as a useful opening to highlight there are important differences to consider based on selection and ethnicity in CAG cricket.

Sports selection of goalkeepers in modern strategies of the game of football teams

A goalkeeper in a football team is a player of a special playing role. Since ancient times, a simple sporting truth has been defined in football: if a team has a reliable goalkeeper, this is half of the overall success of the team's game. However, it is precisely due to their "professional peculiarity" that goalkeepers for a long time have been partially deprived of due attention in the process of sports selection of players of various roles. At present, certain attempts have been made to introduce into the system of functioning and training of football teams the position of coaches who would be engaged in specialized training and sports training of goalkeepers. This approach mainly applies to highly qualified teams and powerful football academies. Real Holistic Concepts of Specialized Training and Sports Training of Goalkeepers as a System Product of the Process of Sports Selection in the Ukrainian scientific and methodological space are practically absent. Usually, the educational and training process with the participation of goalkeepers is, as a rule, the result of the generalization of their own professional and playing experience of goalkeeper coaches. The significant relevance of the study of competitive activity based on the use of methods of sports selection of goalkeepers in modern football has led to the choice of the topic and the structure of writing and forming the concept of this scientific and practical study.

Statistical and Exploratory Data Analysis on Indian Premier League

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a prominent professional cricket league in India that commenced in 2008, featuring eight teams representing different cities. With a massive following, particularly among Indian fans, IPL data analysis holds significant importance. This research delves into a comprehensive statistical and exploratory analysis of the IPL dataset, aimed at extracting meaningful insights for informed decision-making within the league. By critically evaluating limitations and challenges, this study offers strategic recommendations to enhance the overall IPL experience. With a focus on teams, players, matches, and umpires, the analysis encompasses over 20 key investigations. It seeks to unveil performance disparities among teams and players, identify patterns in IPL matches, and assess the league's impact on the selection of Indian cricketers for the national team. Moreover, the research presents valuable findings that could optimize the player selection process. The insights gleaned from this extensive IPL dataset analysis can serve as a valuable tool to boost team dynamics and individual player performance.

White men can't jump, but do they still get picked first? Race and player selection in the NBA draft, 1980-2021.

Despite excelling at recruiting Black players, studies have repeatedly produced evidence of racial discrimination in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Through this study, we re-examine the topic of racial discrimination within the NBA through an analysis of the Association's annual entry draft. Using a novel dataset, we statistically model the relationship between player race and draft pick number using pooled data from 1980 to 2021. Overall, we find only limited evidence of racial discrimination. These findings are generally robust to sub-sample analyses, alternative specifications of our race variable, and alternate statistical modeling techniques. However, analyses performed on sub-samples of draft picks that participated in the NBA combine-and for whom we have measurements of player athleticism-produce some evidence of racial discrimination. Through such models we estimate that Black players are picked roughly three picks later in the draft. We consider the implications of these findings for contemporary theorizing about racial discrimination in the NBA and more mainstream labor markets.

Is corrections officers' use of illegal force networked? Network structure, brokerage, and key players in the New York City Department of Correction

PurposeRecent research on police misconduct has adopted a network perspective, while recent work on correctional officer (CO) use of force has similarly framed it as an organizational behavior, learned through socialization and deployed with considerable discretion. This paper leverages the network paradigm in police misconduct research to study the use of force by COs. MethodsUsing data on lawsuits involving the New York City Department of Correction from 2013 to 2022, this paper forms a co-offending network of those COs who have been sued for excessive force. This paper then uses descriptive social network analysis and key player selection and community detection methods. ResultsAfter describing the basic network structure of COs who use force together, this paper identifies brokers who connect disparate parts of the CO network; it also uses a community detection algorithm to identify clusters of COs involved in force incidents. Finally, the paper compares this network to an analogous network of police use of force, finding structural similarities. ConclusionsThis analysis bridges disparate work on correctional officer use of force and police misconduct; for policymakers who seek to curtail COs' excessive use of force, this paper might provide a blueprint for identifying key players and clusters.

The priority importance of factors for the selection of basketball players of various roles at the stage of preparation for higher achievements

The article examines the peculiarities of the selection and sports orientation of basketball players who are at the stage of preparation for higher achievements. It is pointed out the importance of using a multi-component assessment of players' potential and the need for a comprehensive consideration of the strengths and weaknesses of each athlete when making the final selection decision. The results of an expert survey on the priority importance of key readiness factors for the selection of young basketball players aged 18-20 years in highly qualified teams are given.
 For field players, who are focused on the position of a point guard, the indicators characterizing the effectiveness of competitive activity – 31,3%, the level of physical preparation – 24,3%, and the manifestation of psychological and psychophysiological capabilities – 25,4% received the greatest significance. For "shooting guardians" - efficiency of competitive activity – 30,7% and level of physical preparation – 25,7%, for "small forwards" - efficiency of competitive activity – 30,7% and morphological data – 28,6%, for "power forward" - morphological data - 37.9% and efficiency of competitive activity – 23,4%, for the center – morphological data – 44,5% and efficiency of competitive activity – 19,8%.