Technical characteristics of elite youth female soccer match-play: position and age group comparisons between Under 14 and Under 16 age groups

Harkness-Armstrong, Alice, Till, Kevin, Datson, Naomi and Emmonds, Stacey (2020) Technical characteristics of elite youth female soccer match-play: position and age group comparisons between Under 14 and Under 16 age groups. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport. ISSN 2474-8668 (In Press)

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to quantify the technical characteristics of U14 and U16 elite youth female soccer match-play, and compare position-specific differences between and within these age groups. A total of 449 match observations, from 45 matches were undertaken on 189 players (U14 n=81, U16 n=108) representing Regional Talent Centres (U14 n=5, U16 n=6) in The Football Association’s Girls’ England Talent Pathway league. Linear mixed modelling determined position-specific differences for 24 technical and 4 possession-based variables. Results showed similar team possession-based characteristics at both age groups. Interceptions (U14=4.6 ±0.3, U16=3.9 ±0.3) and tackles (U14=4.2 ±0.3, U16=3.2 ±0.3) were the most common defensive actions. Passes were the most common offensive action (U14=21.8 ±1.8, U16=25.1 ±1.9). In possession, U14 central players performed more actions than wide players, whilst actions were more evenly distributed amongst positions at U16, suggesting a variation in playing style between age groups. Technical performances of players were position-dependent, and differences in offensive and defensive variables were observed between age groups across all positions. The findings provide insight into the technical characteristics of elite youth female soccer match-play, which may assist practitioners in informing specific coaching practice, training programme design or talent identification processes within this population.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	football; match demands; match analysis; performance analysis
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports Q Science > Q Science (General)
Divisions:	Departments > Sport and Exercise Sciences
Depositing User:	Naomi Datson
Date Deposited:	09 Sep 2020 14:03
Last Modified:	09 Sep 2020 14:03
URI:	http://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/5324

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