Key aspects of identifying the potential of young football players

Abstract

The article is devoted to the theoretical analysis of key factors determining the process of identifying the potential of young football players in the context of modern approaches to sports selection. A conceptual model of comprehensive athlete ability assessment is considered, incorporating physical, technical, tactical, and psychological aspects. Particular attention is given to examining contemporary scientific perspectives on the role of cognitive factors in predicting athletic success.

Methods. The study is based on theoretical analysis of scientific sources, including a comparison of different approaches to assessing the physical, technical, tactical, and psychological preparedness of athletes. A systematization of testing methodologies used in football academies worldwide was conducted, along with a comparison of these methodologies with those adopted in Ukraine. Methods of synthesis, classification, and generalization were employed to formulate recommendations for optimizing the process of identifying athletic potential.

Results. A review of recent scientific research highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach in the selection of promising football players. It was found that traditional sports selection methods, which rely predominantly on physical indicators, are insufficiently effective without considering cognitive and psychological factors. Based on the analysis, the significance of a multidisciplinary approach to testing was substantiated, integrating anthropometric, physiological, and psychological aspects to assess young football players’ abilities.

Conclusions. The results of the theoretical analysis confirm the need to expand modern testing methodologies for football players in Ukraine, incorporating cognitive development assessment, tactical thinking, and psychological resilience. A conceptual model has been proposed, which can serve as a foundation for further empirical research in the field of sports selection. The findings can be used to develop new standards for evaluating the potential of young athletes in football academies, enhancing the effectiveness of the training process.