Assessment of Skill Performance Among the Soccer Players in Different Playing Positions

The main purpose of the study was to compare soccer skill performance among the players in different playing positions. For the present study, a total of 45 (N=45) players, 15(n=15) each forward, midfielder, and defender between 18 to 25  (23±0.8)  years of age, who had participated in the national competitions from Manipur, were selected randomly. Mor-Christian General Soccer Ability Skill Test was administered to obtain the data for soccer skill performance. Descriptive analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to find the characteristics and means difference among the different playing positions, respectively, and tested at 0.05 confidence level (p<0.05). Further post hoc test was applied by using Scheffe’s method to determine paired mean differences among different playing positions. The study results reveal non-significant differences in passing and shooting skills performance among the forward, midfielder, and defender positions. In the case of dribbling skills performance, a significant difference was found among the forward, midfielder, and defender positions. Further, the paired-wise mean comparison revealed that a significant mean difference was found between the midfielder and defender positions. However, non-significant mean differences were found between the forward and midfielder, and forward and defender positions. The study concluded that forwards, midfielders and defenders may have equally integrated fitness and skill ability to make a strong team, and any player can advance to score a goal during the play