Association of Short-Passing Ability with Athletic Performances in Youth Soccer Players

Purpose:This study was designed to examine the relationship between multiple short-passingability[measured using the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT)]and athletic performances in youth soccer players. Methods:Forty-two young soccer players (age 14.8±0.4years) performed the LSPT, the squat-jump (SqJ), thecountermovement jump (CMJ), the30m sprints (with 5m and 20m split times also recorded), the 15m agility run (Agility-15m), the 15m ball dribbling (Ball15m), theIllinois agility test (IAGT) and theYo-Yo IRT Level 1 tests. Results: LSPT total performance (LSPT TP)showed significant positive correlation with5m, 20m, and 30m sprint times, Agility -15m, Ball-15m and Illinois agility test (r=0.60,r=0.58,r=0.49,r=0.75,r=0.71 andr=0.72;P<0.01, respectively). Significant negative correlation were found between LSPT TP and SqJ and CMJ (r="�0.62 andr="�0.64;P<0.01, respectively) . It was determined thatAgility-15m, Illinois agility test and Ball-15m were the most