Original scientific paper

The effects of a comprehensive teaching program on dribbling and passing decision-making and execution skills of young footballers

Alba Práxedes Pizarro orcid.org/0000-0001-8959-480X ; Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
Alberto Moreno Domínguez ; Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain
Javier Sevil Serrano ; Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain
Luis García-González ; Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain
Fernando del Villar Álvarez ; Faculty of Health Sciences, Physical Education Area, University Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain

Abstract

The importance of decision-making on what to do and skill execution within sport expertise has been emphasized in many research studies. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of a 22-session
comprehensive teaching program on tactical behavior in agreement with different actions (passing and dribbling) in young footballers. This program was based on the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU)
model (Bunker & Thorpe, 1982). A quasi-experimental design intervention was developed with nine footballers (U-12) over a 15-week period, which was divided into two phases: pre-intervention (comprised of six sessions and measured during three matches) and intervention (comprised of 22 sessions and measured during 12 matches). Two measures were carried out during the latter phase: an intermediate measure during the First 11 sessions, and a final measure, during the remaining 11 sessions. A total of 2 432 actions were observed (1 793 passes and 639 dribbling actions). Results showed a significant improvement in decision-making and skill execution capabilities after the 22 sessions but not after the first 11 sessions. In addition, differences were found between the two game actions, given that a significant improvement was encountered in both
variables of the pass action, but only in the execution variable of the dribbling action. These findings highlight the need to know which type of action is going to be trained (more tactical or technical) in order to adapt the training session methodology. It also seems that, for the teaching program to be effective, it should be applied over a longer timeline of at least 22 sessions.

Keywords

cognitive processes; young footballers; on-the-ball skills; TGfU; modified games

Hrčak ID:

177867

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/177867

Publication date:

2.5.2017.

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