Competitiveness of Young Football Players in the Japan Football Association Social Action Program

In this study, conditions affecting the competitiveness of young group athletes in different countries were investigated through a comparative evaluation of opinions expressed by coaches and instructors dispatched overseas through the JFA Social Action Program in Asia.

A questionnaire survey was conducted with 36 head coaches and coaches of men’s national football teams, and youth teams. There were 24 valid respondents used in the analysis (a valid response rate of 66.7%). Appointed countries were classified into 3 groups based on the FIFA rankings announced immediately after instructors participating in the Social Action Program in Asia left for their appointed countries. The authors analyzed the mean and standard deviation and then conducted an ANOVA on the overall scores of the four items (technical aspects, tactical aspects, physical strength aspects, and mental strength aspects) on the Players’ Competitiveness Evaluation Scale.

Results of the one-way analysis of variance on responses scores related to football teams in different countries, which was conducted after calculating group means and standard deviations indicated that physical strength and mental strength scores, were significantly higher in teams of the high ranking group than in teams of low the ranking group classified according to FIFA rankings. Results of factor scores indicated that the score for “Have the power to keep the ball” which is a technical skill, was significantly higher among the high ranking group compared to the low ranking group. Similarly, the scores for “Strong in one-to-one defensive play” and “Do not lose in interpersonal play,” related to physical strength aspects was significantly higher among the high ranking group compared to the low ranking group. Additionally, the score for “Play with confidence all the time,” which is a mental strength aspect was significantly higher in the high ranking than in the low and medium ranking groups.

In conclusion, these findings indicated significant differences between the contents of technical aspects, physical strength aspects, and mental strength aspects between players in the high and lower ranking groups. These results suggest an urgent need to establish football teams on a school wide basis, and to become affiliated organizations of professional football clubs, in order to implement continuous training for each category of young athletes.

Article by Hiroaki Matsuyama, et al, from Japan.

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