Talent identification and selection process of outfield players and goalkeepers in a professional soccer club |
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| Authors: | Susana María Gil Jon Zabala-Lili Iraia Bidaurrazaga-Letona Badiola Aduna Jose Antonio Lekue Jordan Santos-Concejero |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, SpainSusana.gil@ehu.es;3. Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain;4. Medical Services, Athletic Club, Bilbao, Spain;5. UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa |
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| Abstract: | AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyse the talent identification process of a professional soccer club. A preselection of players (n = 64) aged 9–10 years and a final selection (n = 21) were performed by the technical staff through the observation during training sessions and matches. Also, 34 age-matched players of an open soccer camp (CampP) acted as controls. All participants underwent anthropometric, maturity and performance measurements.Preselected outfield players (OFs) were older and leaner than CampP (P < 0.05). Besides, they performed better in velocity, agility, endurance and jump tests (P < 0.05). A discriminant analysis showed that velocity and agility were the most important parameters. Finally, selected OFs were older and displayed better agility and endurance compared to the nonselected OFs (P < 0.05). Goalkeepers (GKs) were taller and heavier and had more body fat than OFs; also, they performed worse in the physical tests (P < 0.05). Finally, selected GKs were older and taller, had a higher predicted height and advanced maturity and performed better in the handgrip (dynamometry) and jump tests (P < 0.05).Thus, the technical staff selected OFs with a particular anthropometry and best performance, particularly agility and endurance, while GKs had a different profile. Moreover, chronological age had an important role in the whole selection process. |
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| Keywords: | physical test velocity agility power strength body size RAE |
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