ABSTRACT

Given the popularity of soccer throughout the world, there is considerable interest in the growth and maturation of young players, both in general and in the context of talent development. In this chapter we summarize and evaluate the growth and maturity status of male soccer players between 9 and 18 years of age, and then consider several growth-and maturity-related issues in more detail. Implications of the data are discussed relative to selection and retention, age verification, size mismatches, relative age effect and injury risk.