The player development process among young Finnish soccer players : multidimensional approach
Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to add to our knowledge and understanding of the development process of young soccer players in the development system of local soccer clubs in Finland. The first part of the thesis focuses on examining developmental activities and career progression among a group of 15-year-old soccer players (n = 159). The participants filled in questionnaires concerning their practice histories and tactical and psychological skills, and they also completed technical and physiological tests. The results showed that players with more soccer-specific play and practice during childhood also practiced more soccer during adolescence, and accordingly had better technical, tactical, psychological, and physiological skills and characteristics at that point. Furthermore, it was found that passing and centering skills, agility, and motivation recorded at the age of 15 predicted elite performance level at the age of 19 years. In the second part of the thesis a self-assessed Perceived Game-Specific Soccer Competence Scale (PGSSCS) was created and validated (n = 1321). The instrument (PGSSCS) was applied to trace the development of perceived competence in 12 to 14 years old players (n = 288) during a follow-up period of one year. The participants also filled in questionnaires related to tactical skills and motivation, and they completed tests of technical skills, speed and agility. The results showed that young players perceived competence, motivation, technical and tactical skills, speed and agility were relatively high and remained stable over the period of one year. Positive relationships were found between the levels and slopes in perceived competence and motivation, and the levels of perceived competence and speed and agility characteristics. Taken together, the present empirical findings advance our understanding of the player development process and suggest that practitioners should encourage players to engage in large amount of soccer-specific play and practice during childhood, use a multidimensional approach in evaluating young players' long-term potential, and acknowledge the importance of perceived competence and motivation in coaching young developing players.
Author: Hannele Forsman
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2466337035