Validity and reliability of an Australian football small-sided game to assess kicking proficiency

Abstract

In Australian Football (AF), small sided games have been used extensively as an alternative training method for technical and physical adaptations. Considering their application to AF, it is surprising a valid and reliable small-sided game kicking assessment remains absent. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a valid and reliable 5v6 Australian football small-sided game kicking proficiency assessment. Youth male AF players (n = 145) from different stages within the AF talent pathway were recruited. Validity (i.e., logical and construct) and reliability (i.e., test re-test) were assessed. The largest kicking proficiency difference was between U13 and U16 players and between novice and sub-elite players. Between the ages of U16 and U18 kicking proficiency appears to stabilize. The Australian football small-sided kicking assessment was 97% successful in identifying players as either novice or sub-elite. Larger physical performance (i.e., odometer, m/min-1 and %HIR) outputs were noted between U14 and U18 players and novice and sub-elite players. Collectively, these findings suggest the Australian football small-sided kicking assessment is a valid and reliable AF kicking proficiency assessment tool and may provide worthwhile information to coaches regarding kicking performance along the AFL pathway, to profile player strengths whilst identifying specific areas of improvement.

An eye for talent: The recruiters’ role in the Australian Football talent pathway

“…In line with this method of assessment, the current results highlight the importance of an athlete’s in-game performance to being identified as talented. While researchers and associations still investigate the relationships between selection and non-selection on isolated physical and performance tests [ 10 , 15 , 43 ], there has been a recent shift in Australian Football to understand key in-game performance indicators influence on selection [ 11 , 13 , 14 ], coupled with the devleopment of more dynamic skill based assessments [ 46 , 47 ]. Findings have indicated that match performance outcomes, such as contested possessions and delivering the ball into the forward 50-metre area, differentiate players drafted and not-drafted [ 14 ].…”

Can match play kicking and physical performance outcomes be replicated in an Australian football small-sided game?

“…The AF SSG developed by Bonney, Berry, Ball, and Larkin (2019c) was used in the current study. The game involved 11 players (six attacking and five defending) competing within the 50m arc (Figure 1).…”

Interdisciplinary Sport Research Can Better Predict Competition Performance, Identify Individual Differences, and Quantify Task Representation

“…In addition, the total score (summation of decision making and skill execution scores) significantly predicted disposal efficiency in competition performance (Piggott et al, 2019b). SSG's allow players greater opportunities to gain possession of the ball and display their skill level, as well as apply game strategy and tactics (Bonney et al, 2019b). The SSG test has a high level of representative task design as perceptual information that occurs in competition is presented to the participant and opportunity is provided to couple action to available perceptual information like the competition setting (Piggott et al, 2019c).…”