Ecological Dynamic Approach and Young Soccer Player Training: The Aim Is the Flexible Behavior

Abstract

The study analyzes the main literature references that face up to the topic of learning methodology in the training of young soccer player. Flexible learning involves not only technical skills but also it extends to athletic competencies and athletic skills. The coaches and the staff of athletics and conditioning may submit to the same methodological approach: the dynamic ecological approach. The study meets the topic of motion transfer and suggests some types of tasks that give more effectiveness to the young soccer player in the structuring of flexible learning. Finally, some exercises are proposed that can help the young footballer to make his learning flexible.

Developing the Physical Performance in Youth Soccer: Short-Term Effect of Dynamic–Ecological versus Traditional Training Approach for Sub-Elite U13 Players—An Ecological Exploratory Cluster Randomised Trial

“…Dynamic–interactive scenarios, guided discovery, and free exploration tasks require young soccer players to maintain high exercise intensities, which can highly impact players’ physical efficiency. Considering the outcomes of this study and the sample composed of young soccer players, it may be affirmed that the ecological approach significantly increases specific functional motor abilities needed in soccer, such as explosive strength, acceleration, and agility, which are relevant factors for soccer performance [ 28 ] Furthermore, the coaching style and method choice impact the process of learning a sport’s technique and influence motor skills [ 15 , 16 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. This aspect, rarely emphasised in a sport’s technique, but explored in the literature, emerges from studies.…”

“…The TTG followed a traditional soccer training program for the same period and number of sessions without any intervention attributable to the dynamic–ecological approach ( Table 1 ). The activities assigned to the DEA group were derived from the literature, which includes numerous studies that have described and proposed training through the dynamic–ecological approach and small-sided games [ 24 , 34 , 35 ], adapting training volumes to the participants’ ages [ 11 , 13 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…The TTG followed a traditional soccer training program for the same period and number of sessions without any intervention attributable to the dynamic-ecological approach (Table 1). The activities assigned to the DEA group were derived from the literature, which includes numerous studies that have described and proposed training through the dynamic-ecological approach and small-sided games [24,34,35], adapting training volumes to the participants' ages [11,13,16,17]. The programs assigned to the two groups were developed by three experienced coaches with more than 20 years of experience who had previously adopted and monitored the different exercises with other peer groups through Borg scales to understand the feasibility of young player scheduling [36].…”

“…In addition, it considers how these elements interact and influence each other in real-time situations. Therefore, considering its insight, the dynamic–ecological approach naturally leads coaches and players to adapt their strategies and behaviours to optimise performance by understanding the dynamic relationships within the team and with the external environment [ 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…Thus, this approach is relevant in young soccer player training because it requires environment exploration and problem-solving motor/cognitive activity, increases motor engagement time, and allows for high exercise intensity [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. For this reason, it has been deeply adopted in recent years to acquire more versatile motor skills, especially in youth soccer [ 15 , 16 ].…”