The ball kicking speed: A new, efficient performance indicator in youth soccer

Abstract

Success in different soccer skills like kicking depends on motor abilities achieved. Kicking is a soccer fundamental, which depends on many different and complex factors (technique, foot-ball interaction, ball flight, etc.). Therefore, it is important to identify players that are able to perform faster kicks using both dominant and non-dominant leg. The current study investigated some basic variables of different soccer kicking speed and their relevance to success in youth soccer academy. 119 players from the first and the second division participated to this study. They were randomly divided into age groups (U-15, U-17, and U19) and team status (first team, reserves). The diagnostic ability of the different ball kicking speed tests in capturing differences between first team players and reserves among different age categories were computed using the receiver operating characteristics analysis. Results demonstrated that first team players achieved better results when comparing to reserves in each category. In addition, differences were greater in the U-15 and the U-17 than in the U-19 age group. In conclusion, ball kicking speed could be one of the possible identification tools to evaluate players' success in youth soccer.

Assessing Technical Skills in Talented Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review

“… Swimming technique analysis Technical skills help with performance prediction Naisidou et al [ 75 ] CS High Handball GRE f 91 13 ± 0.5 OR exp. Ball throwing velocity, slalom dribbling, triangle defense Technical skills discriminate players from different performance levels Rađa et al [ 76 ] CS High Soccer CRO m 119 16.2 ± 1.3 OR exp. Shooting Technical skills discriminate players from different performance levels Re et al [ 77 ] CS High Soccer BRA m 60 14 ± 0.93 both both Kicking ball speed, passing, in-game technical action Technical skills did not discriminate starting from non-starting players Re et al [ 78 ] CS Moderate Soccer BRA m 49 16.9 ± 0.5 both exp.…”

Anthropometric and Functional Profile of Selected vs. Non-Selected 13-to-17-Year-Old Soccer Players

“…Soccer scouts often observe and select young players based on match performance [ 2 ], which can be affected by opponent rank, current match status, and other situational factors [ 3 ]. The use of standardized measurements (e.g., anthropometric, fitness, and technical skills) can assist coaches and practitioners in objectively examining soccer players’ characteristics for subsequent selection [ 4 , 5 , 6 ].…”

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“…But the difference in ball velocity was statistically insignificant. A research conducted earlier showed similar outcomes, where the velocity of ball had shown insignificant differences when kicked with the dominant and non-dominant limbs under different conditions (Nunome, Asai, Yasuo, & Sakurai, 2003); (Kellis, Katis, & Gissis, 2004); (Marques, et al, 2011) (Wang & Fu, 2019); (Rada, et al, 2019). The second comparison was made when the ball was kicked from different approach angles with the dominantand non-dominant limb (Belin, 2011).…”