Original article

A Theoretical and Methodological Conception for Talent Spotting in Local Soccer Practice

0000-0003-0437-2111Ronald Sarracén Legrá ^{1   *}  , 0000-0002-1873-8025Héctor Noa Cuadro ¹   , 0000-0003-0186-9261Eudis Milán Leyva¹ 

¹Universidad de Guantánamo. Guantánamo. Cuba.

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Sports talent selection is a priority in present-day Cuba; however, in the sports structure, particularly at lower levels, there are striking shortcomings during the talent detection stage.

Aim:

To design a theoretical-methodological rationale based on a comprehensive approach for the detection of local soccer talents.

Materials and methods:

this study relied on theoretical, empirical, and mathematical-statistical methods for the detection of local soccer talents. The population of the study consisted of 16 soccer teachers from Imias Sports Complexes.

Results:

New relations were identified through a systemic interrelation among the components of the theoretical-methodological rationale. The study offers a definition of its components, the method, and the detection of local soccer talents, which provided teachers with the necessary ways and procedures that can be used as didactic tools, based on a comprehensive approach.

Conclusions:

The theoretical-methodological rationale bears new components and essential relationships among the subsystems that reveal the dynamic of talent spotting based on a comprehensive approach, which focuses in the specifics, contextualization, and demands of local soccer practice.

Key words: rationale; methodology; soccer talent detection.

INTRODUCTION

Various papers have included different opinions about talent spotting in soccer, such as ^{Reyes, Bautista, and Noa (2016)}; ^{Iznaga (2017)}; and ^{Iznaga (2022)}.

These authors have contributed several rationales and models associated with improvements in talent selection, particularly in high-performance athletes and other subsequent stages. The reports have demonstrated significant scientific value. However, there are still shortcomings in terms of proposals that dynamize and correct the distortions derived from talent spotting in soccer, using a comprehensive approach resulting from improvements in the sports didactic.

In that sense, ^{Pruna et al. (2018)}, coincided in that an athlete does not emerge spontaneously, but as the result of combining natural talent and the capacity to adapt their bodies to multiple interactions and everyday environmental stimuli.

For this research, talent spotting is a key area within sports development, and it aims to detect, acquire, select, and promote athletes with skills and competencies for the sport, and therefore, the potential to ensure long-term progress.

Despite the advances in research, the talent selection process goes through various stages, including detection or spotting, which shows limitations in terms of theoretical preparedness by teachers of the sports that hinder the process according to the current demands.

So far, studies have failed to tackle the early selection stages of local soccer practice, particularly detection. Hence, this research study focuses on the detection of local soccer players, based on the criteria stated by ^{Conde Rojas et al. (2019)} in relation to the physical, physiological, and energy demands of soccer competition to provide full and objective control.

Accordingly, the aim of this paper is to design a theoretical-methodological rationale based on a comprehensive approach to the detection of local soccer talents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study relied on theoretical, empirical, and mathematical-statistical methods for the detection of local soccer talents. The following methods were used in this investigation:

Theoretical methods.

Analytical-synthetic and inductive-deductive, to determine the theoretical elements about talent selection during the detection stage, and to design the theoretical-methodological rationale for local soccer practice. The systemic-structural-functional method was used to determine the structural and functional elements of the theoretical-methodological conception and the relations of all its components.

Modeling was necessary to model the theoretical-methodological rationale.

Empirical methods.

Observation, surveys, and interviews helped check teachers' scientific and methodological preparedness for talent spotting in local soccer practice, in the municipality of Imias.

The documentary analysis helped researchers look for and review the criteria associated with talent spotting in local soccer practice.

In-depth interviews of coaches to detect changes and the evolution through the implementation of the methodology.

Socialization workshops were conducted to facilitate the spreading of new contributions and the collection of reliable information.

Expert opinion was helpful to know the opinion of experts about the theoretical-methodological conception and about the methodology, for feasibility analysis.

Pre-test (pre-test-post-test in a single group) to evaluate the feasibility of the theoretical-methodological rationale.

The methodological triangulation permitted a contrast of the results from the experts' opinions, pre-test, and the socialization workshops to assess the feasibility of the theoretical-methodological rationale.

Mathematical-statistics method.

Descriptive analysis (proportion calculation) and inferential to quantify the results of the instruments used throughout the research, and for data processing. The absolute and relative frequencies were estimated, and the sign rank test was conducted.

The population of the study consisted of 16 soccer teachers from Imias Sports Complexes.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

To review the current state of talent spotting in local soccer practice, the following parameters were considered for gathering pertinent criteria.

• Presence in the requirements for talent spotting in local soccer practice.

• Soccer teachers and directors' opinions about talent spotting.

• Regular players' opinions about talent spotting.

• Teacher training in talent spotting in local soccer practice.

Upon finalizing the current state of talent spotting in local soccer practice, a series of flaws and shortcomings were observed in teacher training for the local soccer practice, demonstrating the need for implementing a theoretical-methodological rationale based on a comprehensive approach methodology, through the corrective method for talent selection using didactic procedures.

The theoretical-methodological rationale for talent spotting in local soccer practice follows the structure recommended by ^{Samacá et al. (2021)} when suggesting that all the components that form such conception define the objectives, main ideas, principles, methodological procedures, and implementation strategies theoretically. The methodological component permits its implementation through the local soccer practice's methodological guidelines for talent spotting.

According to the different sources and authors in terms of the rationale, theoretically or methodologically, or both, this study defines talent spotting in local soccer practice as,

"The system of transforming ideas around the theoretical and methodological standpoint that reveals new components and essential relationships for the detection of talents in local soccer practice that favors its comprehensive approach ^{Sarracén (2022)}.

The following chart shows the structure of the theoretical-methodological rationale and talent spotting in local soccer, as an expression of the dialectic relationship between every component and category, so that the systemic-structural-functional method functions as one of the main premises assumed Figure 1.

Fig 1.  - Theoretical-methodological rationale for talent spotting in local soccer practice 

To design the theoretical-methodological rationale, this study assumed the criteria stated by ^{Milán (2023)}, as to the structural elements, and the criteria of Tejada (2021) for talent detection and selection.

Another valid perspective for this study was ^{Valle & Navarro (2019)}, who stated that "a theoretical system is more solid the more coherent it is in terms of theoretical rationales in keeping with a proper system of categories. Therefore, a rationale is theoretically formed by categories and their relationships, principles, and relations, as well as the determination of its concepts.

Description of the structure of the theoretical-methodological rationale

The theoretical-conceptual component is thought of as lower, resulting from relations established between categories: projection during the detection stage, articulated procedure in the same stage, collective integration, and correction during detection. It interacts through a systemic relation with the higher component (methodological), which has two elements: methodology of the stages, actions, procedures, and recommendations.

The theoretical conceptual component comprises the necessary elements in terms of theoretical training by teachers locally to perform quality jobs as a professional of physical culture. It guarantees previous performance for a more suitable intervention in the talent selection process.

This component contains the following categories, as shown in the following chart (Figure 2).

Fig. 2. - A representation of internal relationships of component talent spotting in local soccer practice 

The theoretical conceptual component is defined as the previous process of local soccer teacher training theoretically, to help the local soccer teacher during the detection stage, so that the necessary categories and concepts of the stage can be known, allowing for a coherent articulation of further procedures based on a comprehensive approach ^{(Sarracén, 2022)}.

Consequently, this component permits determining the needs, demands, expectations, and possibilities of the talent selection process, including detection or spotting. This component favors understanding, interpretation, and transformation of the educational reality of sports to articulate attitudes and values that favor their prolongation, derivation, and consequent generalization to promote proper teacher training at the sports complexes.

It helps with proper projection coherently during talent spotting, and therefore, in the talent selection process, and it embraces cognitive, procedural, attitudinal, and other aspects. It is an expression of soccer teacher inquiry associated with their conscious behaviors and procedures. Accordingly, the utilization of methods and procedures for better teacher performance is an indispensable condition.

This category works according to an arrangement of necessary tools for planning actions, ways, and procedures with a comprehensive character, and it is defined as the process that guides and ensures local soccer teacher training, thus favoring their performance in the detection stage.

The category articulated positioning during the spotting stage permits adjustments for satisfactory talent selection implementation. It is defined as the assumption of a position that leads to further articulation of ways and actions in keeping with the results of the diagnostic of teacher preparedness level at the local levels to deal with the detection or spotting stage requirements.

A new collectively articulated category was devised as a result of the relations established between the projection and articulated positioning for the detection stage, a process that permits totaling the theoretical aspects linked to procedures and ways used by the local soccer teachers.

This category is defined as the unifying process and embracing positioning that guarantees the procedures for talent spotting in local soccer practice.

It is closely related to the corrective selection method as a driver for the theoretical-methodological rationale for talent spotting in local soccer practice.

Complying with the system's approach demands the interrelation of the first theoretical or conceptual component with the second one, the methodological or instrumental described below.

Methodological conception for talent spotting rationale in local soccer practice

The components can be observed in the following chart (Figure 3).

Fig. 3.  - Representation of internal relationships of methodological component talent spotting in local soccer practice 

The methodology is the main part of the component, which is an expression of the practical use of the theoretical-methodological rationale suggested. Consequently, this paper coincides with the findings of Noa and Milán (2022) about the essence and structure of the talent-spotting methodology in local soccer practice.

To evaluate the feasibility of the theoretical-methodological rationale through expert opinion:

• They recognized the scientific novelty of the scientific results suggested, as well as their high possibility for implementation and contribution to improvements in talent spotting in local soccer.

• The proposal meets a real need and calls for immediate treatment in present-day Cuban sports, particularly soccer. Talent selection has taken place empirically in this sport.

• The rationale, its structure and category, and methodological system, among other contributions, constitute a valuable tool in the hands of local soccer teachers.

• The instruments devised to make this process more viable, considering the enormous technological limitations of Cuban sports. This method is easy to use, accurate, and reliable for talent spotting, in compliance with the modern requirements of soccer.

• The results from this research must be implemented with the coordination and endorsement of the Provincial Soccer Commission.

Main recommendations and remarks:

• In the conception of the proposal, it is important to consider replacing the word talent with sports talent.

• The components should reveal the correspondence with the current particularities and demands of soccer, and offer new qualities and relationships in concert with the rationale for talent selection.

• To assess the possibility of declaring concepts offered in the proposal.

• Following the analysis of expert opinions, the main pre-test results were presented.

The outcomes of the initial diagnostic showed the following:

• Higher teacher training in terms of theory, practice, and methodology for talent spotting in local soccer practice.

• New ways and methods to express structural and functional relationships in talent spotting in local soccer practice.

• Correspondence between the theoretical fundamentals and the contributions made, which had a cognitive character and were compatible with the reality, purposes, and procedures presented. This shows a coherent way of revealing their integration so that they can improve their preparedness and action in the sports facility.

• They constitute bases that explain their necessary existence as a reflection of their contribution to social theory and practice.

There was a correspondence between the criteria achieved in any of the previous scientific methods cited by the subjects of the sample. Some of the coinciding or articulate points are the following:

• Scientific and methodological value, and relevance of the structure of the theoretical-methodological rationale for talent spotting in local soccer, and its methodology, driven by the corrective method of talent selection, in accordance with teacher training.

• It was said that the training actions and activities led to an increase in the knowledge about the governing documents, the theoretical platform for talent spotting in local soccer practice.

• They have agreed that soccer teachers can have a theoretical-methodological rationale for talent spotting in local soccer practice that suits the current purposes.

• The priorities of the National Institute of Sports and Recreation and the Cuban Soccer Federation are similar.

• Improved design and implementation of ways and procedures with comprehensive approaches.

The current study notes the contributions to talent selection, with an invaluable theoretical contribution, such as Reyes, R., Batista, P. & Noa-Cuadro, H. (2016). Reyes, Iznaga (2017); Iznaga (2022). However, new didactic procedures are needed by the local soccer players that help optimize the ways to enhance local soccer teacher performance, particularly for talent spotting, in keeping with the current needs.

CONCLUSIONS

The systematization of theoretical referents about local talent spotting evidenced theoretical and methodological knowledge incoherence, thus demanding an approach change to meet the particularities and requirements of local talent spotting in soccer.

The empirical inquiries conducted at the beginning of this research evidenced the lack of systematicity in the detection stage in local soccer practice, whose causes lie mainly in the theoretical shortcomings and utilization of procedures by teachers in sports facilities to implement a working conception using a comprehensive approach.

This theoretical-methodological rationale reveals the theory, practice, and methodology of a possible solution to the flaws observed in talent spotting in local soccer practice based on a comprehensive approach.

The results observed upon the implementation of the methodological triangulation following expert opinion, the pre-test, and discussion workshops, revealed the feasibility of the theoretical-methodological conception for the initiation and detection of talents in local soccer practice, thus corroborating the hypothesis stated.

REFERENCIAS BIBLIOGRÁFICAS

Conde Rojas, H. M., Caro Cely, W.F., Chaparro Díaz, Y.A., y Agudelo Velázquez, C.A. (2019). Correlación entre somatotipo y fuerza explosiva de tren inferior de la selección Boyacá de baloncesto masculina, categoría sub 15. VIREF. Revista De Educación Física 8(2), 97-105. https://revistas.udea.edu.co/index.php/viref/article/view/33870

Iznaga- Bouly, E., & Heredia- Guilarte, D. (2017). Metodología para el perfeccionamiento de la preparación táctica defensiva de los futbolistas escolares.Revista científica Especializada En Ciencias De La Cultura Física Y Del Deporte, 14(31), 76-89. https://deporvida.uho.edu.cu/index.php/deporvida/article/view/369

Iznaga Bouly, E., & Mengana Osorio, I. (2022). Los componentes didácticos y sus relaciones en el proceso de preparación técnico-táctica defensiva de los futbolistas de la categoría escolar 13-15 años.Revista científica Especializada En Ciencias De La Cultura Física Y Del Deporte, 20(1), 84-94. https://deporvida.uho.edu.cu/index.php/deporvida/article/view/901

Milán, E., Mengana, I., Dopico, H. M., y Beltrán, M. (2023). Modelo didáctico de relaciones interdisciplinarias en el año académico de la carrera de Cultura Física. ATHLOS. Revista Internacional de Ciencias Sociales de la Actividad Física, el Juego y el Deporte, 29(12), 27-52. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=8875732

Reyes-Lausao, R., Batista- Santiesteban, P. R., & Noa- Cuadro, H. (2016). Indicadores por áreas organizativas para la selección de talentos en la categoría 13-15 años del béisbol en el municipio de Antilla.Revista científica Especializada En Ciencias De La Cultura Física Y Del Deporte, 13(30), 119-132. https://deporvida.uho.edu.cu/index.php/deporvida/article/view/362

Pruna, R., Tribaldos, L.. M., y Bahdur, K. (2018). Player talent identification and development in football. Apunts Sports Medicine, 53 (198), 43-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apunts.2018.02.002

Samacá García, J.A., Sanabria Arguello, Y.D., y Agudelo Velázquez, C.A (2021). Características del somatotipo de las jugadoras de la Selección Boyacá Femenina sub-21 de balonmano, por posición de juego. VIREF Revista de Educación Física. https://revistas.udea.edu.co/index.php/viref/article/view/345431

Sarracén, R., Noa, H., y Milán, E. (2022). Metodología de identificación y detección de talentos en el fútbol de base. Fama Deportes, 12(21).

Valle Lima, A., y Navarro Quintero, S. (2019). La generalización de los resultados de la experimentación. III Perfeccionamiento del Sistema Nacional de Educación. Evento OACE y escuelas ramales. Pedagogía 2019.

Received: September 04, 2023; Accepted: October 24, 2023

^*Autor para la correspondencia: [e-mail]

Los autores declaran no tener conflictos de intereses.

Los autores han participado en la redacción del original (primera versión) y la revisión y versión final del artículo.