Predicting the defensive performance of individual players in one vs. one soccer games.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to use technical skill and physical performance and coaches' rankings to predict the defensive performance of junior soccer players. Twenty-one male players (mean age 17.2 years, SD = 1.1) were recruited from the Londrina Junior Team Football Academy in Brazil. Data were collected during regular training sessions. After participants had warmed up, players were asked to either dribble the ball or sprint through five custom circuits that varied in average curvature (0-1.37 radians.m-1). In addition, four coaches were asked to rank the players from best to worst in defensive ability. Dribbling, sprinting, and coaches' rankings were then compared with defending performance as assessed in the one vs. one competitions (N = 1090 paired-trials: 40-65 trials per individual

SUBMITTER: Wilson RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6312280 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature