The effect of bio-banding on technical and tactical indicators of talent identification in academy soccer players

ABSTRACT

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of bio-banding on technical and tactical markers of talent identification in 11- to 14-year-old academy soccer players.

Methods

Using a repeated measures design, 92 players were bio-banded using percentage of estimated adult stature attainment (week 1), maturity-offset (week 2) and a mixed-maturity method (week 3). All players contested five maturity (mis)matched small-sided games with technical and tactical variables measured. Data were analysed using a series of Bayesian hierarchical models, fitted with different response distributions and different random and fixed effect structures.

Results

Despite differences during maturity-matched bio-banding for post-peak height velocity players, very few tactical differences were evident during the remaining maturity-matched and mis-matched fixtures for both banding methods. In fact, the results showed no consistent differences across both banding methods for practitioner and video analysis-derived technical performance characteristics during maturity matched and mis-matched fixtures. Both bio-banding methods explained similar levels of variance across the measured variables.

Conclusion

Maturity-matched bio-banding had some effect on both technical and tactical characteristics of players during maturity-matched bio-banded formats. That said, this trend remained during maturity mis-matched bio-banded formats which restricts the conclusions that can be made regarding the effectiveness of bio-banding to manipulate technical and tactical measures in academy soccer players.

KEYWORDS:

• Maturation
• bio-banding
• soccer
• talent identification
• technical
• tactical
• positioning

Acknowledgements

We would like to give thanks to the academy staff and players who took part in the study. We would also like to extend thanks to UEFA and industry associates for their willingness to provide funding and specialist equipment.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded under the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Research Grant Programme 2018/19 with support from the Scottish Football Association.