Understanding and measuring coordination and control in kicking skills in soccer: Implications for talent identification and skill acquisition

Abstract

In this review, we explore the role of motor control and biomechanics in developing an understanding of soccer skills using kicking as the main vehicle. The links between these sub-disciplines of sport science have not been well established in the past because of an emphasis on cognitive processes in traditional accounts of motor behaviour. We argue that a dynamical systems interpretation of the processes of coordination and control in movements with multiple degrees of freedom signals a new era in the relationship between the sub-disciplines of motor control and biomechanics. Although research on coordination and control of soccer skills is currently sparse, there are indications that the relationship between motor control and biomechanics could form a significant component of scientific programmes in talent identification and skill development. Further interdisciplinary work is needed to enhance understanding of coordination and control of soccer skills.

Effects of Experience on the Coordination of Internally and Externally Timed Soccer Kicks

“…Both groups' initiation of hip flexion and knee extension and timing of maximum angular velocity of hip and knee occurred in a proximal-to-distal sequence. Anderson and Sidaway (1994) also observed that pattern, and researchers have described it as the typical coordination pattern for experienced kickers (e.g., Davids et al, 2000). Our finding of that pattern in the present study, and the similar angles of approach we observed in both groups, suggests that one should not classify the less experienced participants as novices.…”

“…Lees and Nolan attributed those findings to the players' need to make last-minute adjustments. That suggestion is credible because higher levels of variability in foot velocity can be indicative of highly skilled participants' adaptation to task constraints (Davids, Lees, & Burwitz, 2000), supporting Bernstein's (1967) view of mature coordination and the idea of functional variability described by Bennett et al (1999). Lees and Nolan argued that because the 2 players were highly skilled, it is likely that other skilled players would also exhibit the same differences in performance.…”

“…Three-dimensional analysis is an essential technique researchers use to identify important features of the kick, such as an angled approach (Davids et al, 2000), and it allows them to accurately measure angles outside of the sagittal plane. The success of the soccer kick depends on the accuracy and speed with which performers hit the ball at the target.…”

Progression of Spanish National Team Basketball Players by Age and Sex~!2009-09-29~!2010-05-05~!2010-08-02~!

“…For this reason, in the lower categories, mainly U16, many players that were not called for competition progressed as they got older and were later selected in higher categories. An early detection and specialization of talented athletes limits their progression and chances of participating in senior categories [5,35]. Wolff et al [12] have indicated that tests used to detect young talented basketball players based only on physiological factors are inadequate.…”

“…In team sports, studies of talented players focus on aspects such as: anthropometric factors and physiological capabilities of the athlete [2][3][4], motor control and biomechanics [5], perceptual and visual skills [6,7], tactical intelligence [8], and psychological factors [9][10][11], among others. It is very common to use multiple criteria to detect young talent in basketball based on several factors, but the most common ones are physiological ones.…”