Htqe.2025.08

https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2025.08 | 109-121 | PDF

Players of Different Roles Selection for an Elite Student Football Team

Andriy Dulibskyy¹, Bogdan Vynogradskyi¹, Liubov Chekhovska¹, Maryana Luzhna¹, Bohdan Khorkavyy¹, Oleh Kolobych¹, Andriy Kazmiruk¹
¹Ivan Boberskyi Lviv State University of Physical Culture, Ukraine

Abstract
The main position of players during a football match may vary, either fully or partially. This also applies to the tactical and strategic aspects of an attacking central midfielder’s performance.

The aim of the study is to improve the components of competitive activity of the attacking central midfielder during talent selection for an elite student football team. It is based on a method of specialized teaching and training for attacking central midfielders during the selection process.

Methodology. Footballers (n = 23) from the elite student team were involved by the coaching staff to the attacking central midfielder position. This team participated in the Ukrainian Championship among higher educational institutions during the 2014–2023 seasons. Research methods included pedagogical observation of competitive activity and detailed analysis of the attacking central midfielder’s performance.

Results. A significant correlation was found between shots on goal and overall effectiveness (0.05 ≤ r ≤ 0.15), confirming that scoring depends on both the number and quality of shots. “Zigzag” movements without the ball correlated (0.12 ≤ r ≤ 0.48) with goals scored, while “zigzag” movements with the ball also correlated positively (0.11 ≤ r ≤ 0.29).

Conclusions. Individual tactical and strategic actions of attacking central midfielders are subordinated to team play, but improvisation remains essential, adding tactical surprise and disorienting opponents.

Keywords: tactics, talent, selection, strategy, students

In: Human, Technologies and Quality of Education, 2025. Proceedings of Scientific Papers = Cilvēks, tehnoloģijas un izglītības kvalitāte, 2025. Rakstu krājums.  Ed. L. Daniela. Riga: University of Latvia, 2025. 698 p.
ISBN 978-9934-36-461-7 
https://doi.org/10.22364/htqe.2025