Differences in self-assessed tactical skills and perceived game-specific competence between elite and non-elite youth soccer players

Abstract Study aims This study compares tactical skills and perceived game-specific competence among elite and non-elite youth soccer players and examines the relationships between the two constructs. Materials and methods This study adopted a cross-sectional survey. A total of 131 male youth soccer players ( M age = 16.55 ± 1.33 years) participated in the study. Data were collected using the Tactical Skills Inventory for Sport (TACSIS) and the Perceived Game-Specific Soccer Competence Scale (PGSSCS). Results The results show that elite players significantly ( p < 0.01) outscored non-elite players on all TACSIS subscales: Knowing about Ball Actions, Knowing about Others, Positioning and Deciding, and Acting in Changing Situations. Furthermore, the elite players significantly ( p < 0.01) scored higher on all PGSSCS subscales than the non-elite players: Offensive Skills, 1v1 Skills, and Defensive Skills. The results show that these three skill groups were significantly ( p < 0.01) correlated with Positioning and Deciding ( r = 0.865, r = 0.747, and r = 0.673, respectively), Knowing about Ball Actions ( r = 0.82; r = 0.70 and r = 0.56), Acting in Changing Situations ( r = 0.75, r = 0.67, and r = 0.72, respectively), and Knowing about Others ( r = 0.73, r = 0.66, and r = 0.59, respectively). Conclusion These findings have practical implications for coaches, who should focus on developing the tactical knowledge that will enable players, especially at the non-elite level, to achieve maximum performance.