Maturity-associated variation in the body size, physical fitness, technical efficiency, and network-based centrality measures in young soccer players.

This study aimed to observe the relationships between the maturity status on the network-based centrality measures of young athletes in small-sided soccer games (SSG). The study included 81 male players (14.4 ± 1.1 years). Measurements included height, sitting height, body mass, and bone age (TW3 method). The applied protocols were the following: Countermovement Jump (CMJ), Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIRT1), Repeated Sprints Ability (RSA), observational analysis of techniques, and interactions performed by players in SSG. The relationship between the set of evaluated variables within each maturity status was obtained from the correlational analysis of networks (P < 0.05). The maturity status explained a significant portion of the variance in body mass (η2 = 0.37), height (η2 = 0.30), sitting height (η2 = 0.30), and performance on the YYIRT1 (η2 = 0.08), CMJ (η2 = 0.14), and RSA (η2 = 0.13). No effect of maturity status on network-based centrality measures of young athletes was identified (P > 0.05). For the late maturity group, there was a correlation between the degree of centrality and physical growth indicators (rmean = 0.88). For players with maturation "on time", physical growth indicators relate to the degree of prestige (rmean = 0.36). It is concluded that body size and bone age impact how late and on-time maturity groups interact within the match.

Adaptation and Validation of a Test for the Evaluation of Tactical Knowledge in Soccer: Test de Conocimiento Táctico Ofensivo en Fútbol for the Brazilian Context (TCTOF-BRA).

Background: Studies and tests to assess the tactical domain of young soccer players are recent, and few instruments meet the majority of quality criteria. Objective: To adapt and validate the Test de Conocimiento Táctico Ofensivo en Fútbol (TCTOF) for the Brazilian context (TCTOF-BRA). Methods: The article consists of two studies. Study 1 (n = 111) included the translation, theoretical/semantic analysis, back translation, cross-cultural equivalence, and content and face validity (pre-test). In study 2 (n = 768), a theoretical and empirical item analysis was carried out, followed by construct validity [exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and the known-groups method] and reliability (internal consistency and repeatability). Results: In the cross-cultural evaluation, the Coefficient of content validity total (CCVt) of the instrument was 0.96 and in the content validity, the CCVt of the instrument was 0.87. The face validity was confirmed (>95%). After theoretical and empirical analysis, 15 questions were included in the Teste de Conhecimento Tático Ofensivo no Futebol (TCTOF-BRA). The EFA showed a model with adequate fit (KMO = 0.69; Bartlett p < 0.001), with a factor structure considered very good, composed of four factors (decision making, operational tactical principles, collective tactical-technical elements, and rules). The CFA by the Asymptotically Distribution-Free estimation method demonstrated good and very good goodness of fit indices (X 2/df = 1.54, GFI = 0.99, CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.92, PGFI = 0.71, PCFI = 0.76, RMSEA = 0.03, and ECVI = 0.26). The known-groups method showed significant differences (p < 0.01) and effect sizes varying from small-to-medium to large. With respect to reliability, coefficients of 0.89 (CR) and 0.74 (KR20) for internal consistency and 0.85 for repeatability were found. Conclusion: The TCTOF-BRA presented satisfactory evidence, demonstrating it to be an instrument with valid and reliable measures for the evaluation of tactical knowledge (declarative and theoretical procedural), based on specific knowledge and decision making (cognitive domain), of Brazilian young soccer players from 12 to 17.9 years old.

Scoping review of tests to assess tactical knowledge and tactical performance of young soccer players.

This scoping review aimed to systematically map studies/tests for assessing the tactical domain of young soccer players. The study followed the PRISMA-ScR and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. The databases searched were Scopus, SPORTDiscus, SciELO, LILACS, and BDTD. The eligibility criteria were defined based on the elements of population, context, and concept, without restrictions on the period, language, and type of publication. Twenty-four papers were included, from 1997 to 2020, totalling 29 tests/instruments for the assessment of the tactical domain, with the majority of studies having an European sample. Twelve terms were used to nominate the tactical component, regardless of the assessment method and approach. Six tests met eight or nine criteria in the critical appraisal: TCTOF, TACSIS Spanish version, Semi-Structured Interview, TCTP-OE, GPET, and FUTSAT. Thus, it is concluded that studies and tests for the assessment of the tactical domain of young soccer players are recent and mainly European; there is no consensus about the adopted terminology; and few tests met the majority of the quality criteria. Therefore, we suggest: a) the construction/adaptation of tests with samples from other continents; b) the use of the proposed criteria; and c) that the terms tactical knowledge and tactical performance are adopted.

Analysis of the execution of core tactical principles and technical efficiency of primary school futsal players / Análise da execução de princípios táticos fundamentais ofensivos e eficácia técnica de escolares praticantes de futsal

Abstract The study aimed to analyze the core tactical offensive principles and technical efficiency of primary school futsal players. Thirty-three students from a school in Paraná participated in the study. The System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUT-SAT) and the System of Notational Analysis in Small-sided Soccer Games were used for tactical-technical analysis. It was found that the tactical principle "offensive coverage" was most frequently executed by the primary school futsal players (p = 0.01), followed by "width and length" without ball (p < 0.01). Moderate and strong significant correlations were identified between the execution frequency of the core tactical principles "penetration", "offensive coverage", "width and length without ball", "offensive unity" and efficiency in technical skills (from r = 0.43 to r = 0.82, p < 0.05). It is concluded that there is a model of playing near the game center in the presented age group, and that the efficiency of executing technical skills is associated with tactical behavior in game situation.

Resumo O estudo objetivou analisar os princípios táticos fundamentais ofensivos e a eficácia técnica de escolares praticantes de futsal. Participaram do estudo 33 alunos de uma escola no Paraná. Utilizou-se o Sistema de Avaliação Tática no Futebol (FUT-SAT) e o Sistema de Análise Notacional em Jogos Reduzidos de Futebol para análise tático-técnica. Constatou-se que o princípio tático "cobertura ofensiva" foi executado com mais frequência pelos escolares praticantes de futsal (p = 0,01) seguido pelo princípio "espaço sem bola" (p < 0,01). Correlações significativas moderadas e fortes foram identificadas entre a frequência de execução dos princípios táticos fundamentais "penetração", "cobertura ofensiva", "espaço com bola", "unidade ofensiva" e a eficiência em habilidades técnicas (de r = 0,43 a r = 0,82, p < 0,05). Conclui-se que no grupo etário avaliado, existe um modelo de jogar próximo ao centro de jogo e que a eficiência de execução técnica está associada com o comportamento tático em situação de jogo.

Examining offensive tactical actions performed by youth soccer players with different competitive contexts / Examinando as ações táticas ofensivas realizadas por jovens futebolistas de diferentes contextos competitivos

ABSTRACT The study examined offensive tactical actions performed by U-15 soccer players with different competitive contexts. 34 matches played by three different contexts of U-15 soccer clubs were used; brazilian national (BN), brazilian regional (BR), and italian national (IN). Five categories where used to analyze the soccer offensive actions: "number of players involved" (NJ), "ball touches" (NT), "passes" (NP), "corridor changes" (NTC), and "duration of ball possession" (TRA); the results were coded using Match Vision Studio® software. The BN presented higher values in all five offensive categories (p < 0.05) when compared to the IN. Multinomial regression evidenced relative contributions of NJ and NP on the chances of results in the BN. The increase of one player involved in the offensive action decreases by 84% the chances of "total success" with respect to "unsuccessful" (p < 0.05). The performance of each additional pass increases 4.9 times the chance of the play ending in "total success" and 4.7 times (p < 0.05) in "partial success" when compared to the "unsuccessful" category. The NJ in the action and the NP have a direct influence on the outcome of the offensive actions of the BN.

RESUMO O estudo examinou ações táticas ofensivas realizadas por jogadores de futebol sub-15 em diferentes contextos competitivos. Foram analisados 34 jogos disputados por clubes sub-15 de três diferentes contextos competitivos, sendo estes: brasileiro nacional (BN), brasileiro regional (BR) e italiano nacional (IN). Cinco categorias foram utilizadas para analisar as ações futebolísticas ofensivas: "número de jogadores envolvidos" (NJ), "toques sobre a bola" (NT), "passes" (NP), "mudanças de corredor" (NTC) e "duração da posse de bola". "(TRA); os resultados foram codificados usando o software Match Vision Studio®. O BN apresentou valores maiores nas cinco categorias ofensivas (p <0,05) quando comparado ao IN. A regressão multinominal evidenciou contribuições relativas de NJ e NP nas chances de resultados no BN. O aumento de um jogador envolvido na ação ofensiva diminuiu em 84% as chances de "êxito total" em relação a "sem êxito" (p <0,05). O desempenho de cada passe adicional aumentou em 4,9 vezes a chance da jogada terminar em "êxito total" e 4,7 vezes (p <0,05) em "êxito parcial" quando comparado à categoria "sem êxito". O NJ na ação e o NP tiveram influência direta no resultado das ações ofensivas do BN.

Tactical efficacy and offensive game processes adopted by Italian and Brazilian youth soccer players

Abstract Aim: To analyze success and failure of offensive sequences and the adopted offensive method in under-15 (U-15) and under-17 (U-17) soccer players. Methods: The sample was composed of 218 offensive sequences performed by U-15 and U-17 players selected from 28 matches, being 18 matches of an Italian team and 10 matches of a Brazilian team. All offensive sequences which ended in finalization were selected for the analysis. Using observational methodology, an adapted ad hoc observational instrument was built with the variables "number of players involved", "ball touches", "passing", "duration", and "corridor changes". Next, offensive actions were classified into three offensive game methods: counter-attack, quick attack, and positional attack. Results: Results revealed that teams which use positional attack expend more time constructing an offensive play, involve extra players, and change the ball corridor more often during offensive actions when compared to counter-attack and quick attack (p<0.01). Moreover, offensive efficacy did not present an association with the offensive method employed (X2=0.47; p=0.78). Sequences that finished in success presented significantly higher values of the number of touches (p=0.02), passes (p=0.003), and duration (p=0.01) in comparison to failure. Conclusion: The findings suggest that all offensive methods adopted can be used to reach success during a game of U-15 and U-17 soccer players.

Análise das sequencias táticas ofensivas das categorias sub-15 e sub-17 de um clube profissional de futebol brasileiro / Offensive tactical sequences analysis of u-15 and u-17 categories of a professional brazilian football club / Análisis de las secuencias tácticas ofensivas de categorias sub- 15 y sub-17 de un club profesional de fútbol brasileño

O estudo investigou as sequências táticas ofensivas das categorias sub-15 e sub-17 de um clube de futebol profissional. A análise de 147 sequências foi feita por meio do software Match Vision Studio Premium®, utilizando as variáveis propostas por Garganta (1997) e Almeida (2010). Não foram identificadas diferenças significativas nos comportamentos táticos das duas categorias. Foram verificadas correlações significativas entre o tempo de realização do ataque e o número de passes, número de jogadores, número de contatos com a bola e número de trocas de corredores (r > 0,81). Os resultados sugerem que há coerência do clube quanto às ideias de jogo trabalhadas com as categorias e que o tempo de realização do ataque está relacionado com o modelo de jogo destas.

The study investigated the offensive tactical sequences of the under-15 and under-17 categories of a professional football club. The analysis of 147 sequences was done through the software Match Vision Studio Premium®, using the variables proposed by Garganta (1997) and Almeida (2010). No significant differences were identified in tactical behaviors of the two categories. Significant correlations were verified between the time duration of attack and the number of passes, number of players, number of contacts with the ball and number of corridor changes (r > 0.81). The results suggest that there is coherence of the club regarding the game ideas worked with the categories and that time duration of attack is related to their game model.

El estudio investigó las secuencias tácticas ofensivas de las categorías sub-15 y sub-17 de un club de fútbol profesional. El análisis de 147 secuencias fue realizado por medio del software Match Vision Studio Premium®, utilizando las variables propuestas por Garganta (1997) y Almeida (2010). No se identificaron diferencias significativas en los comportamientos tácticos de las dos categorías. Se verificaron correlaciones significativas entre el tiempo de realización del ataque y el número de pases, número de jugadores, número de contactos con la bola y número de cambios de corredores (r> 0,81). Los resultados sugieren que hay coherencia del club en cuanto a las ideas de juego trabajadas con las categorías y qué tiempo de realización del ataque está relacionado con el modelo de juego de estas.