Psychological characteristics of developing excellence in elite youth football players in English professional academies |
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| Authors: | Chris Saward John G Morris Mary E Nevill Antoinette M Minniti Caroline Sunderland |
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| Institution: | 1. Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Group, Department of Sport Science, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University , Nottingham, UK chris.saward@ntu.ac.uk https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9363-3410;3. Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Group, Department of Sport Science, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University , Nottingham, UK https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6508-7897;4. Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Group, Department of Sport Science, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University , Nottingham, UK https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2498-9493;5. American Psychological Association, Education Directorate , Washington, DC, USA https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7672-5214;6. Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Group, Department of Sport Science, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University , Nottingham, UK https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7484-1345 |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT This mixed-longitudinal prospective study examined the development of psychological characteristics of developing excellence in relation to the career progression of elite youth football players. In a 20-month period, 111 academy football players aged 11–16 completed the Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence Questionnaire (PCDEQ) on 1–5 occasions. This combination of single and repeated assessments resulted in a mixed-longitudinal sample of 226 completed PCDEQs. Players were then prospectively tracked, and their scholarship status assessed at follow-up, at age U17. Multilevel modelling revealed that coping with performance and developmental pressures scores increased with age, and that Category 1–2 academy scholars (4.35 ± 0.61) scored higher than Category 3–4 academy scholars (3.99 ± 0.67) and non-scholars (4.02 ± 0.78) (p < .05). Evaluating performances and working on weaknesses scores increased with age for Category 1–2 academy scholars (U12-U14 vs. U15-U16 = 5.16 ± 0.48 vs. 5.38 ± 0.45), compared to non-scholars (U12-U14 vs. U15-U16 = 5.11 ± 0.59 vs. 5.03 ± 0.71) (p < .05). Imagery use during practice and competition scores decreased with age (U12-U14 vs. U15-U16 = 4.45 ± 0.66 vs. 4.29 ± 0.70) (p < .05). A blend of PCDEs may facilitate optimal career progression. Football academies should develop players’ PCDEs, with a particular focus on developing their coping skills and their ability to realistically evaluate performances and work on weaknesses. |
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| Keywords: | Psychological characteristics talent development youth soccer football academies |
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![ORCID Icon]({"type":"image","src":"/templates/jsp/images/orcid.png"} "ORCID Icon")
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9363-3410;3. Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Group, Department of Sport Science, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University , Nottingham, UK