Iranian Journal of Health and Physical Activity (2011) 2 (1), 51-56 Talent Identification in Iranian Youth Soccer Players Aged between 12 and 16 Years Old Using a Multivariate Approach Amir Vazini Taher 1* , Navid Haddadi 1 1 Faculty of Physical Education and sport sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Received 30 September 2010 Accepted 12 February 2011 Abstract To determine the applicability of a multivariate test battery in youth soccer players, we made a comparison between 45 elite and 51 sub-elite youth soccer players concerning physiological, psychological, anthropometrical and technical factors. Some researchers (e.g., Reilly et al., 2000) have also proposed similar TI models to be applied on soccer schemes. The players completed the ACSI-28 questionnaire as a psychological test. Also, all players performed the FA soccer star tests in order for their technical characteristics to be determined. The seven measures in anthropometrical cluster analysis include: height, body mass, body fat percentage and four girths (waist, shoulder, mid-thigh, calf). Besides, five tests performed by players to determine their physiological characteristics: Vertical jump, sit-ups, 280 meter shuttle run, 10 and 40 meter sprints. The results of present study demonstrated significant differences between elite and sub-elite players in the four measured clusters. A significant difference was also found in age as a covariate. The most distinguishing factors, accentuating the importance of speed in TI models, were 40-m sprint and shuttle run (among physiological factors), peaking under pressure (among psychological factors) and speed (among technical factors).. There were significant differences between U14 and U15 groups in physiological and technical factors. Besides, the elite U16 players scored better than their sub-elite peers in psychological and technical measurements. The results indicated that a multivariate approach, considering age differences, can successfully distinguish elite soccer players from sub-elite players at young ages. Keywords : Talent identification, Youth Sports, Performance level, Age differences Introduction * The Talent Identification (TI) process may take several forms. The systematic form of talent identification was established by Eastern European countries, although the viability of such programs has been questioned [1]. Despite applying different modifications on those programs, this process is still highly dependent on observational assessment. The coach is essentially being asked to evaluate the potential of the child, and if the child meets the criteria considered as important by the coach, he or she is identified and selected. However, this process must involve more formal identification and selection of individuals who presumably have the skill, physical, and behavioral prerequisites for success in a given sport [2]. Talent identification is the process by which children are persuaded to take part in sports they have potential to become successful in, based on the results of specific tests [3]. Understanding the key factors of this process is important for all * Coresponding author E-mail: vazinitaher@gmail.com people associated with youth development in sports including soccer [4, 5, 6]. Hence, clubs always seek for scientific guidelines to allocate their resources and education facilities to future elite players [7, 8], trying to invest their money to identify and develop really- talented youngsters [9, 6]. Researchers who focus on TI models in youth sport can help clubs and coaches to attain this goal; however, TI in team sports such as soccer is a complicated process and requires a multidisciplinary approach [10, 9, 6, 11]. Williams (1998) noted that the potential predictors of soccer talent include anthropometric, physiological, neuro-motor, cognitive-perceptual and psychosocial attributes. Hoare and Warr (2000) indicated that potential elite female soccer players can be selected based on anthropometric, physiological, and technical variables. Nonetheless, researchers suggest that assessment of essential soccer skills should also be applied in multi- factorial battery of tests used in the soccer TI models [9]. A multidisciplinary test battery, adopted by Reilly (2000) to contribute to skill measurements, appeared to be practical in distinguishing elite players from their sub-elite counterparts.