The Challenge focuses upon six essential techniques.
» Running with the ball
» Turning with the ball
» Speed (Changing direction without the ball)
» Dribbling
» Heading
» Shooting
The tests will reflect technical ability of the players in these techniques. A learning program of practice and games with key coaching factors is provided for each technique.
For whom is the Soccer Star Challenge designed?
It is designed for boys and girls of any ability from 7 to 16 years of age.
What feedback is provided?
For the player? Free certificate to indicate the player’s grading and individual performance.
For the Coach? A readout of the group’s performance and a readout of individual performance.
Validation
Professor Tim Holt of the Social Statistics Development of Southampton University, England following extensive research with over 10,000 children before the launch in 1988 has validated the Soccer Star tests. They have been proven to display over 90% reliability and over 90% validity in being able to distinguish between young players in the following categories:
Potential Professional players. Players not selected for professional, but representing their town or province on ‘all star’ teams. Players not selected for (A) or (B) but playing for their school or club team. Recreational players not registered with a club or school team.
Six grades, or stars, are available to be awarded on the basis of the test scores of the child and the ‘norms’ for the child at that age. The ‘norms’ have been refined over the years since the launch in 1988 and reflects the scores of the half a million children who have completed the tests in this period. The six star graded represents the top 1% of players tested in any country to date.
THE SOCCER STAR CHALLENGE THEREFORE REPRESENTS THE LARGEST WORLDWIDE OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF YOUNG PLAYER’S TECHNICAL ABILITY.
The Soccer Star Challenge coaches accept that the challenges do not predict or reflect playing ability as there are other factors (physical, mental understanding) related to playing ability but the challenges clearly do reflect personal technical proficiency.
Goal Setting
The Soccer Star Challenge allows children to set simple performance goals and view development in terms of personal improvement. Children who rely too heavily on favourable comparisons with other children in sport are in danger of being disappointed. Children who focus upon their own improvement are more likely to be motivated, enjoy their sport and maintain participation.
The Soccer Star Challenge provides simple opportunities for children to achieve success and improve their overall self-esteem by focusing upon their own performance not others. The reward and feedback provided in the challenges can be immediate and intrinsic.