Relative age effects in Swiss junior soccer and their relationship with playing position

Abstract

Relative age effects (RAEs) refer to age differences between children in the same selection year. The present study investigated the prevalence of RAEs and their link to playing positions in Swiss junior soccer. Swiss male junior soccer players (n=50,581) representing 11% of the age-matched population - members of extra-curricular soccer teams - were evaluated to determine the influence of RAEs on Swiss junior soccer. Subgroups were the national talent development programme (n=2880), and U-15 to U-21 national teams (n=630). While no RAEs were found for the self-selected extra-curricular soccer teams or for the U-20 teams (P>0.05), significant RAEs were found for talent development and the national U-15 to U-19 and U-21 teams (P<0.01). Additionally, defenders born early in the year were significantly overrepresented compared with goalkeepers, midfielders and strikers (P<0.05). In Switzerland, RAEs apparently have substantial influence on the talent identification process for U-15 to U-18 teams, significantly influencing the selection of players in talent development teams already at an early age, but do not influence self-selected participation in extra-curricular soccer. Additionally, the RAE bias may be a predictor of playing positions in national teams. To minimise RAEs in Swiss soccer, systematic education for all coaches regarding RAEs should be established, in addition to a slotting system with rotating calendar cut-off dates.

Relative Age, Maturation and Physical Biases on Position Allocation in Elite-Youth Soccer

“…Findings here confirm previous research [12,27], supporting the general hypothesis that playing positions of elite youth soccer players can be discriminated by anthropometric attributes. GK and CD were generally the tallest and heaviest players, adhering to prior studies [12,23], and was a trend that somewhat persisted across the age-groups, particularly vs. those allocated to lateral roles (▶ tables 2-4).…”

“…Though previous studies have identified these biases and may have informed TID processes, drawing broader and accurate inferences is challenging as sample populations have typically represented fewer than 2 soccer development centres [6,7,12], and findings could equally reflect localised playing and developmental philosophies. Moreover, previous research has not distinguished between central and lateral positions in defensive and midfield roles [12,21,27] which may mask relevant position-specific differences in player characteristics, and this seems necessary given their distinct activity profiles during matches [9,10,13]. Thus, research on a broader scale is warranted to determine the position-specific characteristics of elite-youth players, and to determine whether a transient nature of these influences exists across the stages of the player development pathway.…”

Efeito da idade relativa e sua relação com as características morfológicas e de desempenho em jovens futebolistas.

“…The Swiss system of talent identification 25 is based on three levels of performance. The 1 st called 'Jugend und Sport' ('J+S'), which involves all children interested in participation and involvement in a specific sport.…”

The Need to Consider Relative Age Effects in Women's Talent Development Process

“…To date in Switzerland, signifi cant RAEs have been detected in soccer for both sexes ( Romann & Fuchslocher, 2011, 2013b. No data is available in other Swiss team sports or in any Swiss individual sport.…”