title: Dribbling determinants in sub-elite youth soccer players.
abstract: Dribbling speed in soccer is considered critical to the outcome of the game and can assist in the talent identification process. However, little is known about the biomechanics of this skill. By means of a motion capture system, we aimed to quantitatively investigate the determinants of effective dribbling skill in a group of 10 Under-13 sub-elite players, divided by the median-split technique according to their dribbling test time (faster and slower groups). Foot-ball contacts cadence, centre of mass (CoM), ranges of motion (RoM), velocity and acceleration, as well as stride length, cadence and variability were computed. Hip and knee joint RoMs were also considered. Faster players, as compared to slower players, showed a 30% higher foot-ball cadence (3.0 ± 0.1 vs. 2.3 ± 0.2 contacts · s(-1), P < 0.01); reduced CoM mediolateral (0.91 ± 0.05 vs. 1.14 ± 0.16 m, P < 0.05) and vertical (0.19 ± 0.01 vs. 0.25 ± 0.03 m, P < 0.05) RoMs; higher right stride cadence (+20%, P < 0.05) with lower variability (P < 0.05); reduced hip and knee flexion RoMs (P < 0.05). In conclusion, faster players are able to run with the ball through a shorter path in a more economical way. To effectively develop dribbling skill, coaches are encouraged to design specific practices where high stride frequency and narrow run trajectories are required.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health , Università degli Studi di Milano , via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milano , Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zago
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health , Università degli Studi di Milano , via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milano , Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea Gianluca
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Piovan
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health , Università degli Studi di Milano , via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milano , Italy.
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Annoni
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health , Università degli Studi di Milano , via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milano , Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ciprandi
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health , Università degli Studi di Milano , via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milano , Italy.
authors.forename: F Marcello
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Iaia
authors.affiliation: a Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health , Università degli Studi di Milano , via Mangiagalli 31, 20133 Milano , Italy.
authors.forename: Chiarella
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sforza
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000886:Anthropometry; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: body centre of mass; football kinematics; sport biomechanics; technical skills