Edinburgh Napier University

  Soccer is a sport that is comprised of many complex technical actions. In the context of youth soccer, these features have historically been measured and evaluated subjectively through the ‘coach’s eye’. However, objective tools are becoming increasingly more common to help compliment coaches’ opinions as resources and technologies continue to evolve. Moreover, current research has illustrated how the technical demands of contemporary soccer have enhanced significantly in recent years, which may have important implications on the talent identification and development processes at youth levels. Thus, the purpose of this chapter is to underscore the subjective and objective performance parameters that contribute towards developmental outcomes and career progression in youth soccer. Specifically, the current literature is synthesised and focused on four key areas, including: (a) technical testing, (b) performance analysis, (c) indicators of potential and recruiter perspectives, and (d) laterality. Following the overview of these technical fields, possible directions for future research and considerations for applied practice are proposed.