63 research outputs found
Skill acquisition in a professional and non-professional U16 football team: the use of playing form versus training form
Get PDFâPractice makes perfectâ is a traditional statement, and practice hours, including training background, are used as an explanatory factor for success. Studies however show that hours of practice alone, are a poor predictor of future success. The content of practice sessions has been less studied, even though it naturally should be considered just as important as the amount of time spent practising.The traditional soccer practice is the more linear approach to learning, where technique and other skills are to be practised and mastered before the players are considered ready to play the game itself. The research into the field of skill development in soccer, and sports in general, is relatively coherent across different theoretical viewpoints when it comes to recommendations regarding effective practice activities.Few studies have categorize the content of practice until the concepts of training form (TF) and playing form(PF)was introduced a decade ago. The aim of this study was to compare two U16 teams, one in a professional club and one in a non-professional club, in terms of both PF and TF, including their sub-categories.We used systematic observations of soccer practice sessions to examine the type of practice activities being used. Two Norwegian U16 teams participated. Participants were systematically observed using a simple hand notation system, to provide detailed analysis of the practice activity. We evaluated these findings based on what contemporary research suggest as best to facilitate skill acquisition and development. Findings indicate that both teams use more time in Playing form activities, deemed more relevant to match performance in soccer, than training form activities who is deemed less relevant. Findings are discussed in the light of research connected to skill development, perceptual-cognitive development and expert performance. The practical implications of this study suggest that the practice activities in which coaches engage their players should create as many situations as possible where the players must make decisions and appropriate technical choices, and by that develop their perceptual-cognitive and technical skills. To do this, coaches should seek to use a high amount of PF in their daily coaching sessions and at the same time closely monitor the total mental and physical practice load of the players.publishedVersio
Goal orientations, motivational climate and stress perception in elite junior football players: a comparison of club levels
Get PDFThis study was based on achievement goal theory and stress theory. Its purpose was to describe elite junior football playersâ motivation and stress level and to examine how these factors were related to club level, comparing players from level-1 and level-2 clubs. The sample comprised 120 male Norwegian junior football players (mean age = 17.8 yrs, SD = .78 yrs) representing six professional football clubs (three top-level clubs; three league-two clubs). Playersâ ratings of their task orientation and mastery climate were higher than their ratings of ego orientation and performance climate. They reported medium levels of all four facets of stress. Level-1 players gave higher ratings to mastery climate than level-2 players (p < .01) whereas the level-2 players reported higher levels of evaluation, performance and development stress (p < .05) compared to the level-1 players. These results suggest that there is more emphasis on creating a mastery environment at level-1 clubs, since level-1 players reported a higher mastery climate. This interpretation is corroborated by the fact that the level-2 players reported higher levels of evaluation, performance and development stress. We recommend that coaches focus on creating a mastery climate. Furthermore, level-2 clubs should be aware that their players feel more stress than those in level-1 clubs and this may be related to concerns about their performance and development as footballers.publishedVersionPublished by University of Pitesti. Open Access
Fysisk aktivitet i barne- og ungdomsidretten
Get PDF-I denne undersÞkelsen studeres utÞvernes fysiske aktivitetsnivÄ i organisert idrett. Utvalget bestÄr av jenter og gutter i alderen 9 til 17 Är. UtÞverne er fordelt pÄ 10 treningsgrupper i fire idrettsgrener. Det er gjennomfÞrt 283 mÄlinger pÄ 29 treninger. Data er innsamlet ved at utÞverne hadde pÄ seg akselerometer gjennom treningene.
Resultatene viser et hÞyt aktivitetsnivÄ pÄ treningene. Enkelte av trenerne mente at utÞverne var noe mer aktiv pÄ de treningene vi observerte, sammenlignet pÄ andre treninger. Dataene viser store individuelle forskjeller i aktivitetsnivÄet. Dette skyldes flere forhold som; utÞverne er i ulik form, alle viser ikke lik stor innsats (i forhold til egen form), ulike tekniske forutsetninger for Ä vÊre aktiv og ulik forstÄelse av hva som skal vektlegges mest i de ulike Þvelsene.
Det er ikke riktig Ä sammenligne aktivitetsnivÄet mellom ulike idretter og ulike treningsgrupper. For det fÞrste vektlegges ikke den fysiske delen av treningen like mye i alle idretter og treningsgrupper. For det andre gir ikke akselrometeret like godt bilde pÄ den fysiske arbeidsbelastningen ved alle typer aktivitet. I aktiviteter hvor utÞverne har jevn hastighet (eks. ski og lengre lÞp) gir akselometeret mindre utslag enn i aktiviteter med retnings- og hastighetsendringer (eks. fotball og hÄndball).
Med tanke pĂ„ utĂžvernes fysiske form og idrettslige prestasjoner i de fleste idretter, er det viktig at en finner det riktige fysiske aktivitetsnivĂ„et pĂ„ treningene. Disse resultatene bidrar til mer kunnskap om hvordan ulike former for trening pĂ„virker utĂžvernes aktivitetsnivĂ„. Resultatene viser ogsĂ„ behov for Ă„ tilpasse treningene til den enkelte utĂžver â det er store variasjoner i en treningsgruppe.
Etter hvert hÄper vi at en i dette prosjektet fÄr anledning til Ä se nÊrmere pÄ sammenheng mellom utÞvernes ferdighetsutvikling og den fysiske aktiviteten pÄ treningene. I den sammenheng er det viktig Ä vÊre oppmerksom pÄ at for sterkt fokus pÄ intensitet kan ha utilsiktede virkninger
The balancing act of combining school and football in the transition from a non-professional club into junior-elite academy football
Get PDFFootball players in the transition from junior-to-senior are usually involved in dual careers, combining school and football â a process that makes them dependent on a holistic talent-development journey. The aim of the current study was to describe how male junior elite football players (N=10; 5=living at home, 5=living away from home) perceived stressors in the transition from a non-professional club into a junior elite academy. Furthermore, the school transition (between lower- and upper-secondary school) and social transition (based on the school and football transitions) as a consequence of the football transition into academy football. Based on Wylleman and Lavalleeâs (2004) and Stambulovaâs (2003) models, the data were analysed based on the following three levels in the transitions: athletic, academic - and psycho-social. The main perceived stressors in the football transition (athletic level) were new performance demands, which impacted them both physically (e.g., quality of training) and psychologically (e.g., self-esteem and well-being). Perceived stressors in the school transition (academic level) were related to increased academic workload and expectations, and academic achievement. Perceived stressors related to the social transition (psycho-social level) among the players that have chosen to live away from home were new roommates and doing more housework, even though they adapted quickly to the new requirements. Both groups highlighted the importance of having a social network (friends, leisure activity) outside of football, so they got to relax and not always think about football or school. The study findings suggest that maintaining dual careers introduces stressors for most players â independent of living at home or away from home.publishedVersio
Talent development environment in a professional football club in Norway
Get PDFThe research on talent development is increasing, even though most of it has focused on the individual athlete. By using a holistic and ecological approach to talent development and especially the playersâ environment, one could highlight how the environment facilitates player and team development. The purpose of this study was to analyse the recruit team of the professional football club Ranheim F.C. in Norway. Principal methods of data collection included interviews, participant observations of life in the environment, and analysis of documents. The environment was centred around the relationship between coaches and players, and although the supporting staff was relatively small, the inclusive and supportive approach from competent coaches was essential. The characteristics of the environment included that players were encouraged to take responsibility for their own development, exercise self-reflexiveness and the ability to handle the challenges that may arise in the life of young football players, and optimize the everyday lives of the players. Despite economic challenges within the club, the environment compensated with spirit, volunteerism, and hard work.publishedVersionOpen Acces
Differences in coaching feedback between coaches of junior elite soccer players and junior amateur soccer players
Get PDFThe verbal feedback given to junior soccer players potentially heading to a professional career is essential for technical and tactical skill development. The aim of this study is to examine whether differences exist in feedback between coaches of junior elite soccer teams and coaches of junior amateur soccer teams. The coaches of a junior elite soccer team and a junior amateur soccer team in Norway were observed and filmed during eight training sessions. Our measurements of verbal feedback (537 observations) were categorised based on frequency, valence, direction and timing. No differences in the number of feedback sequences or timing of feedback were detected. However, the coaches of junior elite soccer players spent more time providing feedback and gave more individual feedback, and their feedback was more positive, concrete and reflective than that of the coaches of the junior amateur soccer players.publishedVersio
Talent development abroad. Young football playersâ experiences and challenges on being recruited to English academies
Get PDFThe aim of the current study was to gain insight into talented Norwegian football players who made a club transfer to an English football academy, by investigating the playersâ choice of academy, main challenges upon arrival, how they settled in both athletically and socially and their day-to-day life in the academy. Eight Norwegian players registered in an English professional football academy between the ages of 16 and 18 years were interviewed in retrospect. The challenges that the players met were mostly related to their efforts to develop as players, such as going into an extremely high-performance environment, which was quite different from what they perceived in their original club. Even though the transfer to an English professional club seemed like the natural choice to make, the players experienced a cultural shock not just athletically, but also socially and emotionally in their everyday life in a host family.Talent development abroad. Young football playersâ experiences and challenges on being recruited to English academiespublishedVersio
âI hardly have a problem [âŠ] I have my period quite rarely tooâ: Female football playersâ and their coachesâ perceptions of barriers to communication on menstrual cycle
Get PDFIntroduction: Symptoms related to the menstrual cycle (MC) affect the performance level and health of female athletes in various ways. Previous research has reported MC symptoms such as pain, mood disturbance, reduced coordination and competition distraction as well as diminished performance levels and an increased injury risk among female elite athletes. Despite this, the coach-athlete communication related to the female hormonal cycle is limited. The aim of the present study was to explore the perceptions of MC communication in a group of junior elite football players and their male coaches in a case study of one youth football team in a specific club in Norway. Methods: The study used a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews. In total, 8 female junior elite players (aged 16-20) from a Norwegian football team and 2 of their male coaches participated in the study. Results: The data analysis revealed two main communication barriers: 1. interpersonal barriers (e.g., false assumptions about the coach/athletes and social discomfort) and 2. knowledge barriers (e.g., unaware/perceptions of insufficient knowledge levels). Discussion: As the players seemed to be unaware of their insufficient MC knowledge (e.g., failed to see a connection between the MC and their health and performance level), the coaches perceived their knowledge as insufficient and coped mainly by outsourcing MC communication to female staff and apps. Hence, the MC communication was hindered by both the athletes and the coaches (e.g., mutual avoidance). In line with previous research, this study supports that there is a need for developing effective strategies to overcome the interpersonal barriers and knowledge gaps.publishedVersio
Self-regulation and performance among elite youth soccer players: the role of approach-avoidance motivation
Get PDFIntroduction and methodsThis study aimed to investigate the motivational processes behind self-regulated learning and performance among 192 soccer players (82 girls) for three age groups (14â16 years old) eligible for the Norwegian national football team. A conditional process model was proposed and tested with achievement goals as mediators between achievement motives on the one hand and coach-reported performance and self-regulated learning on the other hand. The probability of success was examined as a potential moderator in the motivational process.ResultsAs predicted, motives to achieve success directly influenced planning and reflection/evaluation, whereas the influence of the success motive on regulation of effort was explained partly by task- and self-based approach goals. The motive to achieve success was, however, particularly crucial for maintaining these beneficial regulatory processes when the probability of success was found to be from moderate to low. Concerning the avoidance paths, the data supported only some of our original hypotheses. The motive to avoid failure predicted all three types of avoidance-based (task, self, and other) and other-based approach goals but did not contribute to explaining planning, reflection/evaluation, regulation of effort, or performance. There were no significant correlations between motivation variables and coach-reported performance. Moreover, girls were more motivated to avoid failure than boys, while both sexes achieved similar scores for football-specific self-regulated learning, probability of success, achievement goals, and motive to achieve success.DiscussionThe results are discussed considering a hierarchical motivation model
Mental processes in professional football players
Get PDFObjectiveClear connections have been found between mental processes and performance in elite level football. Yet, few studies have investigated how professional football playersâ experience the influence of mental processes on performance.MethodThis study used a qualitative research design and in-depth interview of six Norwegian professional football players at elite level with a mean age of 28, 3 years and represented five professional clubs. The aim of the study was to investigate how they perceived the importance of arousal regulation, mental toughness, and self-confidence, and that of the sport psychologist in developing these skills.ResultsThe results revealed a complex and multifaceted link between mental processes and performance. All players, demonstrate a conscious awareness of how mental processes influence their performance. The use of a sport psychologist in working with mental processes emerges as a crucial factor for developing their mental skills. Another important aspect is the need for increased knowledge about mental trainingâs effect in elite football. Mental toughness emerges as the most significant mental process for playersâ performance because it makes them capable of coping with challenging situations and periods.ConclusionThis study shows that mental processes are important for performing, both related to arousal regulation, and self-confidence, and especially mental toughness. However, mental toughness was also considered a product of age and experience, where older players tend to have experience of more situations that enable them to handle adversity better than younger players. Interestingly, the youngest players seem to be most aware of the use of a sports psychologist
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