ABSTRACT
The intermittent nature of match performance in soccer requires the ability to repeatedly produce high-intensity actions (Bradley et al., 2009). Additional evidence noted that 1.2% to 2.4% of the total covered distance is performed with ball possession. Sprinting and dribbling abilities are interrelated; however the skill of dribbling is more complex and, not surprisingly, previous research indicated that amateur and professional soccer players significantly differed in developmental changes in dribbling (Huijgen et al., 2010). In parallel, the literature also noted the contribution of repeated sprint ability to distinguished players who dropped out from competitive soccer and those who continued and were promoted (Figueiredo et al., 2009). The purpose of this study was to examine the reproducibility of a new test named repeated dribbling ability (RDA) in young soccer players. Additionally, the interrelationship between this new protocol and the traditional repeated sprint ability (RSA) protocol without the ball was explored.
