The relationship between physical abilities, ball-carrying and tackling among elite youth rugby league player

Author(s)
Waldron, Mark
Worsfold, Paul
Twist, Craig
Lamb, Kevin
Publication Date
2014
Abstract
This study investigated the relationship between the physical abilities of adolescent rugby league players and tackling and ball-carrying skills performed during matches, across three seasons (under-15 to under-17).The players were measured each season for acceleration (10-30 m), peak and mean speed (10-30 m), sprinting force (10-30 m), aerobic power, counter-movement jump (CMJ) height and jumping power.The matches were filmed and analysed for ball-carrying and tackling frequency per minute (successful and unsuccessful outcomes).There were strong relationships between successful carries∙min-1 and 10 m force in the under-15 (R = 0.61, P < 0.001), under-16 (R = 0.69, P < 0.001) and under-17 groups (R = 0.64, P < 0.001). There were also strong and moderate relationships between predicted vertical power and successful carries∙min-1 in the under-15 (R = 0.63, P = 0.011) and under-17 group (R = 0.40, P = 0.030), respectively.There were no relationships between carries or tackles and any other performance indicators. These findings suggest that acceleration, in accordance with gains in body mass, support ball-carrying but not tackling performance. Performance measurements, such as CMJ or aerobic power, do not support ball-carrying ability among youth rugby league players.
Citation
Journal of Sports Sciences, 32(6), p. 542-549
ISSN
1466-447X
0264-0414
Link
Publisher
Routledge
Title
The relationship between physical abilities, ball-carrying and tackling among elite youth rugby league player
Type of document
Journal Article
Entity Type
Publication

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