Key result
Players born early in the selection year were perceived by themselves and their coaches as stronger and faster than late-born players, but not technically, tactically, or mentally better.
Why the study?
Given the relative age effect skewing birth distribution in talent programs, this study examined potential differences in soccer-specific skills between players born early versus late in the selection year.
Does being born early in the selection year affect perceptions of soccer-specific skills among elite youth players?
Cross-Sectional (n=753)
Yes
Does being born early in the selection year affect perceptions of soccer-specific skills among elite youth players?
Early-born elite youth soccer players are perceived as physically stronger and faster by themselves and coaches, but not technically or tactically superior, highlighting the need to account for relative age effects in talent development.
Early-born players' perceived physical edge may skew youth evaluations; hypothesis-generating for relative age bias in talent pathways.
One common feature among the selected players in talent development programs are the well-known relative age effect (RAE), characterized by a skewed birth distribution among selected players with an over-representation of players born early in the selection year. The aim of the present study was to examine potential differences in soccer-specific skills between players selected for national talent program born in the first half of the year compared to the players born in the second half of the year. A total of 753 elite male U 14 (N = 363) and U 13 players (N = 390) from 16 of 18 soccer regions in Norway participated. The results showed players born early in the selection year considered themselves stronger and faster than late born players. Similar, coaches considered the players born early in the selection year as stronger than players born late in the selection year. Neither the players or coaches considered the early born players as technically, tactically and mentally better. Within a talent development program, we argue that coaches and recruiters should be aware of differences in relative age, and thus prevent that late born players must compensate their physical disadvantages to be allowed into such programs.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Johansen et al. (2022) conducted a cross-sectional in Elite youth soccer players (n=753). Birth in the first half of the selection year vs. Birth in the second half of the selection year was evaluated on Perceptions of soccer-specific skills (physical, technical, tactical, mental). Players born early in the selection year were perceived by themselves and their coaches as stronger and faster than late-born players, but not technically, tactically, or mentally better.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: