Relation between multidimensional performance characteristics and level of performance in talented youth field hockey players

Abstract

To determine the relationship between multidimensional performance characteristics and level of performance in talented youth field hockey players, elite youth players (n = 38, mean age 13.2 years, s = 1.26) were compared with sub-elite youth players (n = 88, mean age 14.2 years, s = 1.26) on anthropometric, physiological, technical, tactical and psychological characteristics. Multivariate analyses with performance level and gender as factors, and age as the covariate, showed that the elite youth players scored better than the sub-elite youth players on technical (dribble performance in a peak and repeated shuttle run), tactical (general tactics; tactics for possession and non-possession of the ball) and psychological variables (motivation) (P < 0.05). The most discriminating variables were tactics for possession of the ball, motivation and performance in a slalom dribble. Age discriminated between the two groups, indicating that the elite youth players were younger than the sub-elite players. In the guidance of young talented players to the top as well as in the detection of talented players, more attention has to be paid to tactical qualities, motivation and specific technical skills.

Self-regulation and performance level of elite and non-elite youth soccer players

“…Another limitation was that no other soccer performance characteristics were measured. Performance in sports is influenced by many performance characteristics, such as, for example, physiological, technical and tactical skills (e.g., Elferink-Gemser et al, 2004Reilly, Williams, Nevill & Franks, 2000). The explained variance found in the current study was 25.3%, and Figure 1 indicates that still half of the elite players did not score high on reflection and effort, meaning that there were other factors influencing the elite versus non-elite differences as well.…”

“…Furthermore, in the current study, effort was considered a component of motivation (Hong & O'Neil, 2001), and motivation has been identified to distinguish between elite (the best) and sub-elite (very good, but not the best) youth athletes in previous studies (e.g., Elferink-Gemser, Visscher, Lemmink, & Mulder, 2004Ward, Hodges, Starkes & Williams, 2007). According to Baker and Côté (2003), the variable that most consistently distinguished the most successful athletes from their less successful counterparts, was hours of training.…”

Cross-Validation and Reliability of the Line-Drill Test of Anaerobic Performance in Basketball Players 14–16 Years

“…Physiological tests are often included in talent identification test batteries using a multidimensional approach (12,33,40). Mid-to late adolescence in male players, about 14-16 years, is often considered as an initial phase for prediction of success in basketball and other team sports (32), in part, because most boys have progressed through the adolescent growth spurt, although interindividual variability is considerable (28).…”

La formación inicial de los entrenadores de balonmano para la enseñanza del deporte en la edad escolar. (The initial certification of handball coaches for the teaching of sport in school-aged children)

“…En esta línea, en los últimos años la propias Federaciones suavizan la imagen selectiva del deporte de competición y buscan otras fórmu-las más recreativas con la intención de atraer, o no perder, practicantes. Por otro lado, desde el punto de vista del desarrollo del joven talento deportivo éste debe desarrollarse desde una perspectiva multidimensional (Abbott y Collins, 2004;Elferink-Gemser, Visscher, Lemmink y Mulder, 2004;Sáenz-López et al, 2005) en la que tampoco pueden olvidarse los aspectos psicopedagógicos y socio-educativos, siendo necesaria una formación adecuada del entrenador en estos aspectos.…”