ECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP10
INTRODUCTION: Communication between coaches and athletes is key to athlete development and performance. Verbal communication is the most used strategy by coaches to transmit suggestions and instruction to athletes and it was shown the nature of this feedback can influence the training and competition climate. [1] This study compares youth soccer players technical and physical performance when positive or negative feedback is provided. METHODS: 41 young soccer players (15.5 ± 1.8) performed six bouts of 5vs5 small-sided games on two occasions during the teams regular training. Coaches provided standardised positive or negative feedback in a randomised order in each session. Several technical and physical outcomes were monitored during the game through video analysis, GPS, and heart rate monitoring. The two conditions (e.g., positive and negative verbal feedback) were compared. Data are presented as mean ± SD for continuous variables and median [interquartile range] for discrete ones. RESULTS: The number of offensive passes (11 [7 to 14] vs 8 [5 to 11], p = 0.014) and kicks on the target (5 [3 to 5] vs 3 [1 to 4] p = 0.044) seems to be higher with positive than negative feedback. The type of feedback also influenced the external load, increasing the number of sprints (11 [6 to 17] vs 7 [5 to 15], p = 0.004), the number of accelerations at moderate (129 [111 to 145] vs 118 [107 - 137], p = 0.043) and very high-intensity (7 [4 to 13] vs 6 [4 to 9], p = 0.012), and the distance covered at moderate- (1004.7 ± 197.4 m vs 936.9 ± 219.0, p = 0.003), high- (478.0 ± 122.7 m vs 438.1 ± 147.2 m, p = 0.009) and very high-speed running (131.3 ± 89.7 m vs 110.9 ± 71.5 m, p = 0.028), when coaches used the positive feedback. No difference in heart rate was found between feedback conditions. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that coaches’ communication style affects young soccer players physical and technical performance during small-sided games, highlighting the increase in the external load and attacking technical actions when positive feedback is used. These novel findings confirm the literature that showed the importance of a coach’s positive behaviour in creating a more motivational climate and an optimal learning environment [2], suggesting the use of positive verbal feedback to push young soccer players to make more courageous decisions and to try more attacking actions, limiting at the same time the mistakes. References: 1. Agustí D, Ballester R, Juan-Blay J, Taylor WG, Huertas F. The Academic Background of Youth Soccer Coaches Modulates Their Behavior During Training. Front Psychol. 2020 Sep 24;11:582209. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.582209. PMID: 33071921; PMCID: PMC7541702. 2. Kipp LE, Bolter ND. Motivational climate dimensions predict youth soccer players psychosocial well-being over time. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2024 Jan;70:102518. doi: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102518. Epub 2023 Aug 24. PMID: 37683339.
Read CV Roberto ModenaECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP10
INTRODUCTION: The physical and technical demands on soccer players are determined by their positional role in the team (1) and the style of play of the team. Studies investigating the positional differences in technical characteristics in soccer are limited (2). The purpose of this study was to investigate the technical demands across different playing positions of Greek professional soccer players. METHODS: The study included 125 elite soccer players allocated into 5 groups according to their position: Attackers (A) (n=25, age 23.2±0.5 yrs, Training Experience 15.1±0.5 yrs, Body Mass 79.8±0.6 kg, Height 183.0±0.7 cm), Centre Backs (CB) (n=25, age 23.5±0.3 yrs, Training Experience 15.0±0.4 yrs, Body Mass 82.0±0.3 kg, Height 185.2±0.5 cm), Fullbacks (FB) (n=25, age 22.5±0.5 yrs, Training Experience 14.5±0.5 yrs, Body Mass 73.5±0.7 kg, Height 175.9±0.7 cm), Wide Midfielders (WM) (n=25, age 23.0±0.5yrs, Training Experience 15.0±0.5 yrs, Body Mass 73.1±0.6 kg, Height 176.5±0.6 cm), Central Midfielders (CM) (n=25, age 22.8±0.4 yrs, Training Experience 14.7±0.5 yrs, Body Mass 76.1±0.7 kg, Height 179.3±0.7 cm). Technical performance characteristics were measured during a football match (i.e. passes, successful passes, dribbles, ball touches, shots, headers). One-way between groups ANOVA models were used. A statistical level of p<0.05 was accepted and all descriptive data are expressed as Μean±SEM. RESULTS: The groups were similar in terms of age and years of training experience. However, CB were significantly heavier (82±0.3 kg) and taller (185±0.5 cm) compared to most other groups. CM completed significantly more passes (42±0.4) and with higher accuracy (81%±0.5) as compared to all other groups. Wingers touched the ball significantly more times (128±1.6) compared to all other groups, while Attackers performed significantly more dribbles compared to CB/FB, but not when compared to CM/WM. CB performed significantly more clearances (3.9±0.2), headers (13.5±0.5) and tackles (3.6±0.2) compared to all other groups. Attackers performed significantly more shots (2.2±0.2) compared to CB/FB but not compared to CM/WM. Also, CB won significantly more ball possessions (23.1±0.5) and lost the ball significantly less times (15±0.3) compared to all other groups, while Attackers won significantly less possessions (8.3±0.2) compared to all other groups, and FB lost significantly more possessions (22.8±0.4) than most of the other positions. CONCLUSION: As expected, professional soccer players have different technical demands determined by their playing position. Central midfielders, as the play makers, complete more passes and with higher accuracy. Centre backs are involved in significantly more headers, clearances and tackles as well as winning significantly more times the ball and losing it significantly less. This evidence can inform position specific coaching interventions.
Read CV ATHANASIOS SOUGLISECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP10
INTRODUCTION: The 3×3 basketball game is derived from traditional 5×5 basketball but demonstrates significant differences in its rules and competition formats. Notably, the "dual-track" game-ending mechanism stands out as its most unique feature. According to FIBA regulations, each game lasts 10 minutes and ends early if a team scores 21 points; otherwise, the team with the higher score at the end of regulation wins. These distinct game-ending mechanisms significantly influence the offensive pace and the technical and tactical performance of winning and losing teams. This study utilizes indicators derived from the ball possession formula to examine the differences in performance between winning and losing teams under dual-track game conditions. METHODS: The game-ending rate was calculated as the ratio of score-end (time-end) games to total games in a given tournament. An independent samples t-test compared the two rates. The boxscores from the 2019,2022, and 2023 World Cup 3×3 mens basketball games and the 2021 and 2024 mens 3×3 Olympic basketball games were utilized. A total of 152 games from the World Cups and 68 games from the Olympic Games were analyzed. A 2 (endings) by 2 (outcome) mixed design MANOVA was used to analyze the number of possessions (POSS), field goal attempts (FGA), free throw attempts (FTA), scoring rate, 1-point and 2-point FGA rates, and the turnover rate to POSS, with game outcome as the repeated factor. RESULTS: The independent samples t-test revealed a significantly higher score-ending rate of 72.71% than a time-ending rate of 27.29% across the five tournaments, p<.001. The MANOVA results indicated a significant interaction effect, p<.001. Further examination of the ANOVA results pointed to significant interactions regarding the scoring rate, 2-point field goal attempt rate, and turnover rate (ps < .05). The differences were generally greater between winning and losing teams in score-ending games than in time-ending games, with winners from the score-ending teams performing significantly better than those from the time-ending games. CONCLUSION: The dominating score-ending games observed in the World Cups and the Olympic Games indicate that 3×3 mens basketball promotes a performance-driven, high-intensity style of play. The 2-point scoring rate based on the number of possessions is the key performance indicator for winning the game. The higher scoring and lower turnover rates observed from the winning teams of the score-ending games further emphasize the importance of offensive efficiency in support of performance-oriented play.
Read CV Yu-Ching LanECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP10