Author: Jonas Skulstad, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University
This study examined differences in technical and tactical skills between elite and amateur football players. A quantitative research design was employed. Technical performance was assessed using the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT), the Loughborough Soccer Shooting Test (LSST), and standardized dribbling assessments. Tactical skills were evaluated through a validated video-based assessment system, TacticUP.
The sample consisted of 20 senior male football players, divided equally into elite (n = 10) and amateur (n = 10) groups. Statistical analyses revealed a significant difference in technical performance, with elite players demonstrating superior passing accuracy, shooting proficiency, and dribbling ability compared to amateur players. In contrast, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups in overall tactical skill performance.
These findings indicate that while elite players exhibit higher levels of technical proficiency, tactical skills may be more uniformly developed across competitive levels in senior football. The absence of differentiation in tactical performance suggests that factors such as cognitive processing, accumulated playing experience, or contextual constraints may play a more substantial role than competitive level alone. Further research is required to clarify the mechanisms underlying tactical skill development and to determine how tactical training can be optimized across performance levels. This study underscores the importance of integrating both technical and tactical perspectives in player development frameworks.
Keywords: football; adults; tactical awareness; decision-making; player development