Understanding the “gut instinct” of expert coaches during talent identification

Coaches are an integral part of talent identification in sport and are often used as the “gold standard” against which scientific methods of talent identification are compared. However, their decision-making during this process is not well understood. In this article, we use an ecological approach to explore talent identification in combat sports. We interviewed twenty-four expert, international-level coaches from the Olympic disciplines of boxing, judo, and taekwondo (age: 48.7 + 7.5 years; experience: 20.8 + 8.3 years). Findings indicated that when coaches identify talent they rely on “gut instinct”: intuitive judgements made without conscious thought, used to direct attention to particular athletes or characteristics. Our analysis revealed four major contributors to coaches’ intuition: experiential knowledge, temporal factors, seeing athletes in context, and what can be worked with. Our findings demonstrate that i) athlete selections may be influenced by the coaches’ perceived ability to improve certain athletes (rather than solely on athlete ability); and ii) “instinctual” decisions are the result of years of experience, time spent with the athlete, and the context surrounding the decision. Based on these findings, we recommend that future research focuses on the duration and conditions that are required for coaches to confidently and reliably identify talented athletes

'Psyching-up' and muscular force production

Psyching-up refers to self-directed cognitive strategies used immediately prior to or during skill execution that are designed to enhance performance. This review focuses on research that has investigated the effect of psyching-up on force production; specifically, strength, muscular endurance and power. Although firm conclusions are not possible, the research tentatively suggests that psyching-up may enhance performance during dynamic tasks requiring strength and/or muscular endurance. However, more research is required. Power has received scant empirical attention and there are not enough data to support any conclusions. Preparatory arousal appears to be the most effective strategy although other strategies like imagery, self-talk and attentional focus also have empirical support. The range of tasks that have been used to measure force production have been limited to movements such as handgrip, leg extension, bench press, sit-ups, press-ups, pull-ups, and the standing broad jump. Additionally, most studies have used undergraduate and/or untrained samples. Only a very small number of studies have examined well-trained individuals. Currently, no explanation for why psyching-up may influence force production has any substantive support. Although a small number of studies have examined moderating and mediating variables, few consistent patterns have emerged and knowledge in this area is somewhat restricted. Given the importance that many athletes place on their mental preparation just prior to performance this is an area that warrants further examination. Research needs to examine a range of complex sport-specific tasks and use well-trained samples. Additionally, research needs to further examine why psyching-up may enhance force production

Physical and anthropometrical attributes of Australian youth soccer players

Objectives To determine whether Australian youth soccer players of varying levels could be distinguished based on their anthropometrical and physical attributes. Design A cross-sectional observational design was used, involving six anthropometrical and physical tests for each player. Methods Participants represented three youth levels of competition, namely national elite (n = 18), state elite (n = 22) and sub-elite (n = 22). Anthropometrical and physical tests included standing height; body mass; 5, 10, 30 m sprint and 20 m ‘flying start’ sprint; zig-zag agility test; vertical jump and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test level 1. A multiple analysis of variance for the main effect of cohort, with a follow-up ANOVA and Tukey\u27s Honest Significant Difference were used to discern which attributes differed between each cohort. Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated, providing cut-off values between cohorts. Results The national elite cohort was significantly taller than the state elite cohort (ES = 0.94) and faster than the sub-elite athletes across 30 m (ES = 0.79) and 20 m with a flying start (ES = 0.77) (P \u3c 0.05). The national elite cohort had a significantly higher level of intermittent endurance, compared to the state elite athletes who also performed better than the sub-elite cohort. The discrepancy between groups in the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test level 1 was exemplified by the receiver operating characteristic with 94.1% of national elite players running further than 1980 m, while 95.7% of state elite and 100% of sub-elite players failed to reach this distance (ES = 0.88–1.77). Conclusions It is evident that anthropometrical and physical attributes differ between youth cohorts, particularly intermittent endurance. It is important to use this knowledge to enhance the current processes used to identify future talent for success in Australian soccer

'Psyching-up' enhances force production during the bench press exercise

We investigated the effect of psyching-up on force production during the bench press. Twelve men (mean age +/- SD: 27.4 +/- 11.2 years) and 8 women (20.9 +/- 2.5 years) with strength-training experience performed 5 bench press repetitions on a modified Biodex isokinetic dynamometer during 3 interventions. The interventions were counterbalanced and included a free-choice psych-up, a cognitive distraction, and an attention-placebo. Peak force recorded after psyching-up (mean +/- SD: 764 +/- 269 N.m) was significantly different from both distraction (703 +/- 282 N.m, p = 0.003) and attention-placebo (708 +/- 248 N.m, p = 0.01). The mean percentage increase in peak force from distraction to psyching-up was 11.8% (6 to 18%, 95% confidence interval [CI]) and 8.1% from placebo to psyching-up (3 to 13%, 95% CI). The results of the present study indicate that psyching-up may increase force production during the bench press exercise in participants with at least 1 year strength-training experience

Technical attributes of Australian youth soccer players: Implications for talent identification

Objectives: To determine whether the technical ability of Australian youth soccer players could distinguish between various playing levels. Design: A cross-sectional observational design was used with each player required to complete four technical tests. Methods: Sixty-two participants were representatives of three cohorts of youth soccer in Australia: national elite (n¼18), state elite (n¼22) and sub-elite (n¼22). The technical tests used were Loughborough Short Passing Test (LSPT), long passing test (LPT), shooting test and speed dribbling, with all players familiarised with the tests prior to data collection. Differences between cohorts were analysed using a multiple analysis of variance test with follow-up analyses of variance and Tukey Honest Significant Difference post-hoc test, which were subsequently used to inform a sensitivity analysis, more specifically a bootstrapped receiver operating curve to determine cut-off scores for each variable. Results: The national elite cohort scored better than state- and sub-elite cohorts on the LSPT, however, the state elite produced the fastest time before penalties. The sub-elite cohort scored less points on the LPT compared to both national- and state elite cohorts, on both feet. In regards to speed dribbling, national elite players were faster than both the state- and sub-elite cohorts. Shooting accuracy and velocity were able to discriminate the national- and sub-elite cohorts on the dominant foot, with shooting velocity on the nondominant foot being faster for the national elite compared to both the state- and sub-elite cohorts. Conclusions: A number of differences in technical ability were identified between varying levels of Australian youth soccer players. Youth soccer coaches and sports scientists should use the cut-off scores for the technical tests in the talent identification and development process, with aspiring players aiming to reach these levels

Tactical skill in Australian youth soccer: Does it discriminate age-match skill levels?

Objectives Football Federation Australia (FFA) has identified that Australian athletes are proficient physically, however often lack the technical and tactical skills to excel internationally. The aim of the current study was to assess if a video-based decision-making test could discriminate different age-matched skill levels of talent in Australian soccer. Design Cross-sectional observational. Methods Sixty-two youth male soccer players completed a video-based decision-making test. Results An ANOVA test showed that the video-based test significantly discriminated between all three groups, with the national elite athletes selecting more correct responses than the state elite (65.3 ± 8.1%; 56.0 ± 9.1%, respectively). The state elite were more accurate than the sub-elite (45.9 ± 8.8%). Conclusions Results suggest that a video-based test may be a suitable tool to use in the selection of athletes as a measure of decision-making skill. The low accuracy scores, even for the national elite cohort, suggest that decision-making skill at the youth level has room for improvement and should be prioritised as an area for development