title: Association of short-passing ability with athletic performances in youth soccer players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to examine the relationship between multiple short-passing ability [measured using the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT)] and athletic performances in youth soccer players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two young soccer players (age 14.8±0.4years) performed the LSPT, the squat-jump (SqJ), the counter movement jump (CMJ), the 30m sprints (with 5m and 20m split times also recorded), the 15m agility run (Agility-15m), the 15m ball dribbling (Ball-15m), the Illinois agility test (IAGT) and the Yo-Yo IRT Level 1 tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  LSPT total performance (LSPT TP) showed significant positive correlation with 5m, 20m, and 30m sprint times, Agility-15m, Ball-15m and Illinois agility test (r=0.60, r=0.58, r=0.49, r=0.75, r=0.71 and r=0.72; P<0.01, respectively). Significant negative correlation were found between LSPT TP and SqJ and CMJ (r=-0.62 and r=-0.64; P<0.01, respectively). It was determined that Agility-15m, Illinois agility test and Ball-15m were the most effective factors associated with LSPT TP among other factors in multiple regression analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that LSPT TP of young elite soccer players is determined by their agility abilities, thus enabling this test to be used for talent identification purposes.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire des Adaptations Cardio-Circulatoires, Respiratoires, Métaboliques et Hormonales À L'exercice Musculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Benounis
authors.forename: Abderaouf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benabderrahman
authors.forename: Karim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chamari
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ajmol
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benbrahim
authors.forename: Amor
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hammouda
authors.forename: Mohamed-Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hammami
authors.forename: Hassane
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zouhal
keywords: Agility; Cognitive Function; Football; Physical Fitness; Technical Skills