Components of Agility Development in Small-Sided Games for Youth Soccer: Coaches’ and Athletes’ Perspectives
Keywords:
agility development, small-sided games, youth soccer, qualitative research, coaches’ perspectives, athletes’ perspectivesAbstract
This study aimed to identify the components of agility development in small-sided games for youth soccer, drawing on the perspectives of both coaches and athletes. A qualitative research design was employed to capture in-depth insights into agility development. The study included 25 participants from Ireland, consisting of 12 youth soccer coaches and 13 athletes recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews, conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using NVivo 14 software. Open coding, constant comparison, and iterative refinement were applied to generate categories, subcategories, and concepts that captured the multidimensional nature of agility. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) Physical and Technical Foundations of Agility, including movement efficiency, reaction speed, coordination, conditioning, and technique integration; (2) Cognitive and Perceptual Dimensions of Agility, comprising decision-making under pressure, situational awareness, anticipation, focus, learning through constraints, and game intelligence; and (3) Social and Environmental Influences, encompassing the role of coaches, peer interactions, training environments, psychological climates, and cultural contexts. Coaches and athletes emphasized that agility is not merely physical speed but a holistic skill integrating technical execution, cognitive adaptability, and social motivation. Quotations from participants illustrated the importance of supportive environments, competitive peer dynamics, and culturally embedded training practices in shaping agility outcomes. The study highlights agility as a multidimensional construct that develops through the interaction of physical, cognitive, technical, and social factors. Small-sided games provide an ecologically valid platform for fostering agility by integrating decision-making, technical execution, and adaptability under pressure. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of agility development and offer practical implications for coaches to design training programs that are contextually relevant and holistic.
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