Academy Soccer Research Articles

No transfer of 3D-Multiple Object Tracking training on game performance in soccer: a follow-up study

The impact of domain-general cognitive ‘brain’ training on improving sports performance is highly debated. This study sought to follow-up on research that showcased the benefits of perceptual-cognitive 3D-Multiple Object Tracking (3D-MOT) training in enhancing the on-field performance of soccer players. Additionally, it explored the correlation between athletes’ cognitive performance and early career success.Sixty-two males from a professional soccer academy were randomly divided into a dual-task 3D-MOT training group (n=30) and a control group (n=32). Participants underwent a 3D-MOT test, a cognitive test of attention, and small-sided games at pre- and post-training. Pre-post-test performances were compared using ANCOVAs. A Chi-squared test evaluated the association between the training regimen and early career success. A Spearman test assessed the correlation between performance on the 3D-MOT, attention test, and early career success.The dual-task 3D-MOT trained group significantly improved its performance on 3D-MOT compared to the control group (p < 0.001). However, no significant pre-post-test differences were observed between the groups in the near-transfer cognitive test and on-field performance (ps > 0.05). There were no associations between the athletes’ early career success and the training regimen, and no associations between cognitive test performances and early career success (ps > 0.05).This follow-up study failed to replicate previous findings with dual-task 3D-MOT training unable to produce near or far transfer on soccer performance. In addition, cognitive performance was not related to early career success in this study. The value of cognitive screening and training in sport is discussed.

“We are on the outside but it’s okay”: A grounded theory of cooperation between parents, coaches, and administrators in professional youth soccer academies

ObjectiveParents need to cooperate with professional organizations to support their children’s development and health. In sports, knowledge on how parents, coaches, and organizations can successfully coordinate their behavior and work together for a common cause is lacking. This study was designed to identify a grounded theory of cooperation as a social process between parents and organizational stakeholders in youth soccer academies. Design and methodIntensive interviews were conducted with parents (n = 9), coaches (n = 11), and administrators (n = 14) across 14 youth soccer academies in Germany. Data were analyzed using initial coding, focused coding, and theoretical integration following constructivist grounded theory methodology. Results and conclusionThe grounded theory produced comprises several processes aimed at building, maintaining, and reinforcing effective cooperation between parents, coaches, and administrators. Acknowledging parents as part of the academy, providing a thorough onboarding, and defining parental roles are essential for cooperation to evolve. Cooperation was viewed as a responsive, dynamic, and iterative process impacted by person and context factors. Findings are interpreted through a systems lens highlighting nuanced dependencies between cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns. The grounded theory provides implications for future research targeting the intersection of persons and contexts in youth sport. For practitioners, we propose an evidence-based program on developing cooperation.

Hip adduction and abduction strength values in elite-level male and female youth soccer players: A comparison between sexes, and across age-groups

ObjectivesTo report isometric hip adduction squeeze and abduction press strength values of elite-level youth male and female soccer players and examine if differences exist between sexes, and age-groups. DesignCross-sectional cohort study. SettingElite youth soccer academy. Participants102 soccer players (n = 64; male, n = 38 female) competing in the national youth soccer leagues from under (U) 14–19 years of age level (U-14, U-15, U-17, U-19). Main outcome measuresIsometric hip adduction and abduction strength values were measured with a ForceFrame in various testing positions. ResultsIsometric hip adduction and abduction strength values are presented. Male U-17 and U-19 players demonstrated significantly greater (p < 0.05) absolute(N) and relative (N/kg) hip adduction and abduction strength than their female counterparts, with large (η2 = 0.068–0.227) and medium-to-large (η2 = 0.049–0.234) effect size, respectively. Significant differences in absolute strength, but not relative strength, were observed for hip adduction and abduction between male age-groups (U-14, U-15, U-17, U-19), with hip abduction strength differences only existing between U-14 and U-17 groups. No significant differences in hip strength were observed between U-17 and U-19 groups for female players. ConclusionMale youth soccer players have higher absolute and relative hip adduction and abduction strength than females at the U-17 and U-19 level.

Exploring the relationships between potential, performance, and athleticism in elite youth soccer players

Talent identification of young soccer players is a significant consideration for elite youth soccer organisations, with decisions on players often being made based on the subjective expert opinion of scouts and coaches. Previous research has suggested that scouts and coaches purportedly consider a multitude of factors before arriving at their decisions. However, to date, limited research exists regarding how coaches evaluate player potential within such organisations and how the consideration of further data may influence such evaluations of a player's future potential. Therefore, the aim of this study was to present ratings of perceived potential in an elite youth soccer academy and explore the relationships between a player's perceived potential, athleticism, and perceived level of current match performance. Using 181 player observations, findings demonstrated that ratings of players’ perceived potential decreased within older age groups and were the lowest in the senior academy age group (U18). Furthermore, a mixed effects ordinal regression model suggested that coaches’ perceptions of a player's future potential demonstrated strong relationships with current match performance and athleticism. Increases in a player's mean match rating significantly increased the odds of them being perceived to have higher potential and increases in athleticism also demonstrated a positive relationship with increased perceptions of potential. The findings have implications for youth soccer organisations, providing insight into the distribution of ratings of potential within an elite youth soccer academy, and demonstrating that further data (match performance and athleticism) is related to, and may influence, coaches’ perceptions of player potential.

The Physical Progress of a Professional Scottish Soccer Academy Over a Ten-Year Period.

Increases in high-intensity locomotor activity of match play have been recorded in elite soccer. This places an onus on academy practitioners to develop players for the future demands of the game. At an academy level, locomotor data are not available for analysis over a longitudinal period, and thus changes can only be assessed with physical attribute assessment. The aim of the present study is to establish if changes in physical capacity were observed in a professional Scottish soccer academy over a ten-year period. A retrospective analysis was completed where linear mixed effect (LME) models were individually fitted to explain variation across each measure of physical capacity. Model selection was undertaken with likelihood ratio tests where the initial complex models were compared to simpler nested models to arrive at the final model by maximum likelihood. The main findings were that most recent players' sprint test data revealed a significant improvement in 5m, 10m and 20m sprint performance, greater increases in CMJ performance in older age groups, and greater increases in YYIR1 performance at U13 and U14. Most physical results showed increased performance with greater relative height and weight. Players recruited more recently to academies are fitter than they were previously. Reference values within clubs that establish first team requirements will contribute to appropriate planning and implementation of training.

The impact of tactital small-sided games training on dribbling skills in young soccer players

This study aims to evaluate the effect of Small-Sided Game (SSG) training on the dribbling skills of young soccer players at Soccer Academy PSG Situjuah Gadang, Situjuah Limo Nagari District. This research method is experimental with pre-test and post-test control group design. The experimental group engaged in SSG training that focused on developing dribbling skills, while the control group received no additional training intervention. The sample of this study consisted of 20 youth soccer players from a Soccer Academy who were randomly selected into two groups. Data was collected using dribbling tests before and after the training intervention. Data analysis was conducted using an independent t-test to compare the differences between the two groups. The results showed that the group involved in SSG training showed significant improvement in dribbling skills compared to the control group (p&lt;0.05). This finding indicates that SSG training can effectively improve the dribbling skills of youth soccer players by obtaining the "t" test coefficient which is ttable 1,729 &lt; tcount 4,60. The practical implication of this finding is the importance of paying attention to the use of SSG training in the development of technical skills of young soccer players. Small-sided games training on dribbling is an important part of developing athletes' skills and abilities in ball games that require responsiveness, speed, accuracy, teamwork, and adaptability to opponent pressure. The need for coaches to form interesting, challenging, increasing, and structured small-sided games training so that players can improve their skills in soccer. For players, the importance of serious training with the small-sided games method to develop soccer skills. Keywords: Small-Side Games, Dribbling Skills

Analysis of injury risk levels in young footballers: A review of functional movement screens and static balance scores

: Injury or wound is damage to the structure or function of the body due to physical force or pressure. This study aims to analyze the risk of injury in young footballers in terms of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) based on static balance scores. This study used a descriptive observational research method. The subjects were 31 young footballers (age 13.6±0.5 years, BMI 19.5±2.2 kg/m², TD 15.5±10 months). The data collection instrument involved FMS and Stand Stork Test (SST). The data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics. This study found that the FMS score with a high injury risk category was 6.45% in the SST poor category. Meanwhile, FMS scores in the moderate injury risk category were 19.35% in the SST moderate category, 32.25% in the SST poor category, and 3.25% in the SST very poor category. FMS scores in the low injury risk category were 6.45% in the moderate SST category and 32.25% in the poor SST category. The conclusion is that SPSS soccer academy students have a potential risk of injury in the moderate category and a static balance level in the less category. In addition, after reviewing the results of FMS scores based on SST scores, it can be concluded that FMS scores in the moderate category are found in samples with poor category SST, which is 32.25%. This study suggests improving static balance to prevent the risk of sports injuries in young footballers. Similar research in the future is also recommended, especially the one that uses other physical component variables and different research sample characteristics.

The Relative Age Effect presents an opportunity for Scottish football to be “better than FC Barcelona”

An overrepresentation of athletes born earlier in the year compared with those born later in the year is known as the relative age effect (RAE). A ten year analysis of professional players across ten of the top European leagues showed the existence of an RAE in the ten years from 2000 (29.3 vs 19.8%, p&lt;0.01) to 2010 (31.9 vs 18.4%, p&lt;0.01) with the RAE becoming more pronounced with time. A sample from the FC Barcelona Model (Doncaster et al., 2020. Front Sports Act Liv, 2, 91) showed a strong RAE within their male football academy in all youth groups becoming less prevalent with increasing age (Q1 Jan-Mar = 0.53 Q2 Apr-Jun = 0.27; Q3 Jul-Sep = 0.14; and Q4 Oct – Dec = 0.06 [χ_3^2= 53.6, p&lt;0.001]). Despite solutions being proposed in the literature, this indicates these solutions are not being utilised effectively within Europe’s top clubs such as FC Barcelona. Our previous work (Craig and Swinton, 2020, Eur J Sports Sci, 21, 1101-1110) identified strong relative age bias in players awarded professional contracts between 2006 and 2016 in a Scottish academy (Q1 = 0.50; Q2 = 0.26; Q3 = 0.20; and Q4 = 0.05 [χ_3^2= 40.9, p&lt;0.001]). Scottish clubs have limited resources in comparison with Barcelona meaning academy efficiency is paramount. The main study aim was therefore to assess any changes in the relative age effect over a ten-year period in an elite Scottish football academy within the academy player pool. A secondary aim was to establish if physical differences exist across each quarter to assess the impact of any potential RAE. Following ethical approval, a retrospective analysis of 512 academy players (from 2006 to 2016) from a Scottish Academy was assessed for anthropometric, physical performance and RAE impact. The range of players in each quarter was Q1 37.0-42.9% versus Q2 22.8-32.4%, Q3 11.9-26.0% and Q4 7.1-14.3%. Odds Ratio analysis indicate a greater chance of selection within the academy when assessing Q1 vs Q4 players quarter comparisons (ranging 3.2-5.2 time more likely to be part of the academy). There was no impact of time on the RAE over the ten years (p=0.3127). When controlling for age group multilevel modelling showed there were no significant differences across quarters in physical measures. Underrepresented Q4 players who transition through academy soccer can match physically their older peers. The finding that there is no improvement in the RAE with time underpins an efficiency that can be integrated. Using established interventions and corrective procedures can ensure no potential is being removed unnecessarily from the development pathway on the basis of RAE, addressing challenges in financially restricted environments such as Scottish football that resource rich environments such as FC Barcelona have not yet overcome.

Changes over a decade of fitness within a Scottish soccer academy and the impact of first team relegation on academy physical profiles

Introduction: academy soccer practitioners have a responsibility to prepare youth players for the demands of first team. The development of physical capabilities to sustain the high intensity locomotor activities that have been reported in elite soccer is essential. Challenges exist monitoring locomotor targets as resource limitations mean that often academies will not have locomotor data, instead relying on physiological testing to assess whether a player is ready for first team transition. Physiological testing results have a direct relationship with locomotor activity. Physical development has been shown over various longitudinal periods with established progression in speed, change of direction, lower body power and endurance in elite Austrian youths, increases in VO2max in an elite regional French academy and in the interval shuttle run test of over 50% in elite Dutch academy. The success of a club’s academy can lead to increased resource allocation however some organisational challenges such as relegation can have a severe financial impact. The initial aim of the present study was to establish whether previously observed changes in physical capacity were observed in a professional Scottish soccer academy over a ten-year period. A further aim was to assess the impact of first team relegation on academy physical profiles considering the resource implications of relegation. Methodology: a retrospective analysis was completed where Linear Mixed Effect (LME) Models were fitted to explain variation across each measure of physical capacity. Model selection was undertaken with Likelihood Ratio Tests where initial complex models were compared to simpler nested models to arrive at the final model by maximum likelihood. The impact of relegation was assessed by LME models to assess whether physical capacity measures changed post relegation. Ethical approval was granted. Results: 5 m best time reduced by 0.0055 s per year (t = −11.8, p &lt; 0.001), 10 m best time reduced by 0.008 s per year (t = −9.2, p &lt; 0.001), 20 m best time reduced by 0.011 s per year (t = −7.8, p &lt; 0.001). CMJ increased each year depended on age group with the older cohorts showing greater improvement and the YYIR1 distance increased each year varying across age group. Performance of aforementioned physical capacity measures significantly reduced with relegation, except 20 m best time (t = −1.4, p = 0.16). Application: reference values within clubs that establish first team requirements will contribute to appropriate transition strategies. By conducting analyses related to uncontrollable challenges, practitioners can use these results to protect against criticism and withdrawal of resource when physical progression is negatively impacted.

Exploring the behavioral indicators of resilience in professional academy youth soccer

The capacity to demonstrate resilience is important for performance and development outcomes in youth soccer. A key feature of resilience is the demonstration of positive behavioral responses to pressures or setbacks, yet little research exists on the specific behaviors that characterize resilience in the youth soccer literature. This study aimed to explore the behavioral indicators of resilience through focus groups and interviews with 60 participants from six professional soccer academies and one National Soccer Governing Body. The data was collected in two phases, the first involved a discussion of the observable behaviors associated with resilience in youth soccer. In the second phase, participants reflected on examples of resilience behaviors alongside video clips. These acted as a stimulus to contextualize the behaviors arising from the first phase. Content analysis was used to analyze the data and 36 behaviors were identified across six themes: (a) teammate support-focused (e.g., verbal support following mistakes), (b) emotion-focused (e.g., displaying emotional regulation), (c) effort-focused (e.g., physical efforts to overcome challenge), (d) rebound (e.g., positive reactions to a mistake), (e) robust (e.g., showing composure when under pressure), and (f) learning-focused (e.g., willingness to accept feedback). The results offer an insight into a multifaceted range of resilience behaviors in the context of youth soccer. With this knowledge, practitioners can make informed decisions around player development by assessing specific behavioral metrics related to resilience, players can engage in structured self-reflection practices pertaining to resilience development, and researchers can work toward the development of validated observational tools for resilience assessment.

Birthplace and Birthdate Effect during Talent Process in Professional Soccer Academy Players

The main objective of this study was to detect, from among a set of innate, acquired, and contextual factors, those variables that are ascribed to players ultimately promoted to the professional team of a Spanish league club during the earlier selection and development phases. The data were presented in frequencies and correlations and by means of a classificatory cluster model. The variables used for the analyses included date of birth, birthplace density, player position, laterality, academy entry stage, international participation, and debutant status. These variables were related to the talent selection and promotion phases (i.e., academy entry stage and player debut). A dataset of information on 1411 players from the last 30 seasons of the Athletic Club de Bilbao (1993–2021) was used. Regarding the results, first, there was an over-representation of players with respect to their Q1 birth date and K5 density quintile in the selection phase; however, once players joined the academy, their chances of promotion (debut) fell for players in the Q4 birth date and K3 density quintiles. Second, there was a significant correlation between players’ debut and the stage of incorporation (p &lt; 0.01; V = 0.46) and internationalisation (p &lt; 0.01; V = 0.5). Finally, the birthplace density and laterality variables converged as classificatory features of the players.

The strategic delivery of video-based coaching: A season-long investigation in one English youth soccer academy

This article presents the findings of a season-long investigation of video-based coaching (VBC) practices in an English youth soccer academy. During the period of fieldwork, the lead author immersed themselves within the academy setting, in which they observed 22 VBC sessions and also day-to-day interactions between coaching staff relating to these activities. In addition, 18 interviews were conducted with 5 coaching staff, totalling 8 h of in-depth interview data. The fieldnotes and interview transcripts were iteratively analysed, utilising Goffman's dramaturgical writings and Groom et al.'s grounded theory of VBC. Our analysis produced two overarching themes. These were (a) how the coaching staff concealed that VBC sessions were principally designed to develop ‘high priority’ players and (b) how the coaching staff purposefully withheld critical thoughts and feelings about their player's performances, preferring instead to strategically focus on the provision of positive messages during VBC sessions. These findings contribute to the limited investigation of this aspect of coaching and demonstrate the importance of educating coaches to acknowledge how VBC can be influenced by and used to respond to workplace demands and expectations.

The identification and development of young talent in Spanish soccer academies: A 10-year multi-study follow-up

The nurturing of young players in youth academies is seen as an important step on the way to becoming a full professional in the sport of soccer. This longitudinal multi-study investigation, spanning 2009 to 2021, analysed the career paths of Spanish academy soccer players. It consisted of three studies investigating players’ transition from academy to professional status and the identification of technical skills and psychological traits which could distinguish future professionals from amateurs. The sample involved 198 male academy soccer players (aged 13.5–17.9) from two Madrid-based professional clubs. Study 1 assessed the outcomes of these players a decade after their academy-level evaluations. Studies 2 and 3 focused on the subgroup of 85 players whose playing status could be verified a decade later. Results showed that 12 players (6.1%) progressed to full-time professional soccer. Of these 12, just 7 reached Spain's highest professional league within 10 years of their final academy tests. Significant differences favouring professional players were observed in the trait of ‘self-confidence’, ‘ball reception’, ‘dribbling forward with the ball’ and coaches’ global technical assessments. In conclusion, the chances of academy soccer players achieving professional status are low. Accordingly, providing more developmental opportunities before deselection is crucial to maximise player potential. Coaches could prioritise players’ self-confidence and ball control to increase the conversion rate of academy players to professional status. Furthermore, recruitment of players who are already strong in these attributes could also improve the productivity of talent development pipelines.

Injury Risk Analysis of Soccer Academy Students: A Review of Functional Movement Screen Scores and Demographic Data

The intense daily activities of students at the SPSS soccer academy can lead to excessive fatigue, which can decrease physical quality and cause injury. This study aims to analyze the level of injury risk of soccer academy students by reviewing FMS scores and demographic data. This study employed a descriptive observational research method. Research data were collected using tests and measurements. Seventy-two male soccer academy students participated in this study with the following details: mean age 15±2.1 years, BMI 19.8±2.1 kg/m², and TD 1.2±0.1 years. The data were obtained from the FMS instrument and height and weight tests. They were then analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the FMS score showed that subjects aged 14-17 years were most at risk of injury in the moderate category. In terms of BMI, the FMS scores showed that subjects at a high risk of injury were one in the underweight category, nine in the normal weight category, and one in the obesity grade 1 category. This study concludes that, based on demographic data, SPSS academy students in the age group of 14 years are more likely to experience injuries than students in the age group of 16 and 17 years. Furthermore, it is concluded that SPSS academy students with an average BMI are in the normal weight category, with SPSS academy student subjects having a moderate risk of injury. Based on the length of training, most SPSS academy students have 1-3 years, with the most risk of injury in the moderate risk category. Future research is expected to choose research subjects with BMI in the obese category and from various other age groups. Keywords: Sport Injury, FMS, BMI, Training, Soccer Academy, Football, Sports Medicine.

Increase of VO2 max After 8 Weeks Tuja Shuttle Run Exercise for Athletes in the 14-17 Year Age Group

The quest to enhance athletic performance through increased VO2max levels has led to exploring various training modalities, including the Tuja Shuttle Run, an innovative adaptation of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT). This study aims to address these gaps by examining the impact of a tailored HIIT protocol—the Tuja Shuttle Run—on the VO2max of young athletes. A total 50 athletes from KONI Kediri district and Keeltjes Soccer Academy, aged 14-17 years were recruited to be research subjects. The development of HIIT in this research was in the form of the Tuja Shuttle Run. The Tuja Shuttle Run intervention was carried out with a frequency of 3x/week for 8 weeks. Meanwhile, VO2max was gauged using the Multi-Stage 20-m Shuttle Run Fitness Test, a field test valued for its practicality despite debates on its precision relative to laboratory measures. Statistical analysis uses paired sample t-test with a significance level of 5%. Based on the results of the paired sample t-test shows that Sig. 0.000 or p ≤ 0.001, so it can be said that there was a significant difference between the pretest and posttest on the VO2max. Implementing an 8-week Tuja Shuttle Run training program can potentially enhance VO2max in athletes aged 14-17. Based on this research, further studies need to be carried out on the effect of Tuja Shuttle Run training by comparing each sport. Keyword: VO2max Enhancement, Tuja Shuttle Run, High-Intensity Interval Training, Athletic Performance, Youth Athlete Training

Somatic Maturity and Physical Performance in Male Youth Players from a Professional Soccer Academy

Somatic Maturity and Physical Performance in Male Youth Players from a Professional Soccer Academy

Place Matters: A Study on the Influence of Birthplace and the Place of Development on Soccer Academy Players' Careers.

The effect of birthplace (the place where a player is born and grows up) is one of the key variables associated with soccer player development and achievement. However, recent studies have questioned the influence of contextual variables on selection and promotion processes related to birthplace. The main purposes of this study were: (1) establish whether there is a difference between the birthplace and sporting growth according to the stages of entry into the academy, (2) to evaluate the influence of geographical and contextual variables on sporting development, and (3) assess the chances of making a professional team debut. Applied logistic regression was used in order to analyse the birthplace and growth of 1411 male soccer players, of which 40.1% are incorporated in the U-12 category from a Spanish First division club, and the results showed a statistically significant association between a change from one's birthplace to the place of sporting growth and later success (79%). Key contextual variables such as number of inhabitants, population density, proximity to sports facilities, average household income and presence of sports clubs have been considered. The analysis of the contextual variables revealed that there was a positive relationship between certain variables, like a higher population, and being selected for the academy (p < 0.01; r = 0.28). Finally, the findings showed that players who experienced a geographical transition were 38% more likely to make a professional debut. The importance of considering the place of sporting growth when analysing the "birthplace effect" has therefore been demonstrated.

The Impact of Injury on Career Progression in Elite Youth Football-Findings at 10 Years.

Background: There is a lack of evidence regarding the impact of time loss, match exposure, and age at injury on career progression in elite football. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify injury characteristics and their influence on career progression in a German youth academy. Methods: During the 2012/2013 season, a prospective cohort study reported 107 time-loss injuries among 130 young athletes from an elite German soccer academy. Individual career progression was analyzed using 10-year data. Results: Injuries and time loss were not associated with career progression (p > 0.05) in the overall cohort. In the U17 and U19 groups, 24% were able to reach the professional level, with injuries significantly decreasing this probability (p = 0.002). Injuries lasting more than 28 days had a negative impact on career progression compared to minor injuries (30% vs. 10%; p = 0.02). Conclusions: Not only the characteristics of injuries, but also their impact on career development, vary with age. In the U17 and U19 age groups, serious injuries resulting in more than 28 days of absence have a negative impact on career progression. It is important to be aware of these effects in order to focus on the prevention of long-term injuries to ensure the optimal development of young athletes.

A new method to identify key match-play behaviours of young soccer players: Development of the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool.

The aim of this research was to assess the validity and reliability of a newly developed scoring tool, designed for monitoring youth soccer players during match-play performance to support coaches/scouts with the talent identification process. The method used to design the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool comprised of a five-stage process of (i) conducting an initial literature review to establish content validity (ii) gaining content validity through a cross sectional online survey (iii) establishing face validity via expert coach feedback (iv) conducting inter-rater reliability tests and (v) intra-rater reliability tests. In stage two, twenty-two soccer academy practitioners completed an online survey, which revealed that player behaviours such as resilience, competitiveness, and decision making were all valued as the most important behavioural characteristics by practitioners (90.9%), whilst X-factor was valued as least important by a significant amount (27.2%). Stages three to five of the testing procedure included a sample of four academy coaches not involved in the preceding stage. Twenty male collegiate soccer players (under-16 to under-18) involved in the study took part in four versus four small-sided games (SSG) in a 'round-robin' tournament across three weeks which accumulated 14 SSG's, 100-140 minutes of playing time and 70-98 individual player grades. Two of the four academy coaches watched the SSG's and used the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool to assess live evidence of desirable player behaviours, which was subsequently followed by retrospective video analysis for intra-rater reliability testing. The remaining two academy coaches watched the same SSG retrospective video footage to test for inter-rater reliability. Reliability results revealed an acceptable level of agreement with scores between 81.25%-89.9% for inter-rater whilst intra-rater provided scores between 80.35%-99.4%. Preliminary evidence here suggests that the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool is both a valid and reliable method to assess desirable player behaviours during talent identification processes. Thus, youth soccer practitioners and researchers should seek to test and further validate the tool in order to confirm its utility as a means of measuring behavioural characteristics of youth soccer players.

Professional soccer practitioners' perceptions of using performance analysis technology to monitor technical and tactical player characteristics within an academy environment: A category 1 club case study.

This study aimed to identify professional soccer practitioners' perceptions of the application of performance analysis technology within a single academy club. Secondary aims were to understand the importance that practitioners place on monitoring technical and tactical player characteristics, current practices, and barriers to implementing wearable technology. Utilising a mixed method design, forty-four professional soccer academy practitioners (Age = 32 ± 5.8; Years of experience = 8.5 ± 6.2) completed an online survey intended to examine present trends, professional practices, and perceptions regarding the monitoring of technical and tactical metrics. Frequency and percentages of responses for individual items were calculated. Subsequently, eleven participants who were directly involved with the monitoring of players were recruited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Interview data was transcribed and analysed using a combination of deductive and inductive approaches to identify key themes. The main findings across both phases of the study were that (1) technical and tactical metrics are monitored more frequently in matches (Technical: 89%; tactical: 91%) than training (Technical: 80%; Tactical 64%), predominantly due to time constraints and staffing numbers. Accordingly, practitioners believe that it would be beneficial to have an automated way of tracking technical (79%) and tactical (71%) metrics and would consider using a foot-mounted IMU to do so (technical (68%) and tactical (57%)). (2) Monitoring technical and tactical metrics is beneficial to assist with player development and to enrich feedback provision (3) Key stake holders, coaches and players should be informed of the relevance and rationale for monitoring. (4) For successful implementation and continued uptake, the information delivered needs to be both meaningful and easy to understand. Findings suggest that although participants appreciate the need to collect technical and tactical metrics, they are keen to ensure that wearable-derived data does not replace experiential and contextual knowledge. Accordingly, practitioners need to work closely with coaches to determine the contexts in which metrics may or may not prove useful. However, as the sample comprised of participants from a single academy, further studies including more practitioners are warranted. Likewise, future research could also extend to include academy soccer players perceptions too.