Fundamental movement skills and perceived competence, but not fitness, are the key factors associated with technical skill performance in boys who play grassroots soccer

Michael Duncan*, Emma L.J. Eyre, Mark Noon, Rhys Morris, Doug Thake, Neil Clarke

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    5 Citations (SciVal)

    Abstract

    This study examined the association between fitness, fundamental movement skills (FMS) and perceived competence on technical skills in boys engaged in grassroots soccer. Methods: Sixty boys (8-12 years of age, Mean ± SD = 10 ± 1 years) undertook assessment of FMS, perceived competence, physical fitness (15m sprint speed, standing long jump distance and seated 1kg medicine ball throw as a composite z-score) and technical skills (dribbling, passing and shooting as a composite z-score). Multiple backwards linear regression was used to determine to amount of variance in technical skill explained by FMS, perceived competence and fitness. Results indicated a significant model (F 3,58= 42.04, P = .0001, Adj R2 = .680) which explained 68% of the variance in technical skills. Perceived competence (β=.316, P =.001), Total FMS (β=.140, P =.002), and chronological age (β=.863), P =.001) significantly contributed to the model. This study demonstrates that better technical skills (passing, dribbling, shooting) in youth soccer are explained, alongside age, by being competent in FMS and having a more positive perception of competence. Coaches should therefore seek to encourage development of these factors during childhood for the benefit of technical skill performance.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)215-220
    Number of pages6
    JournalScience and Medicine in Football
    Volume6
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished (VoR) - 3 Apr 2022

    Keywords

    • children
    • dribbling
    • grassroots
    • Motor competence
    • passing
    • shooting

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