Structure Of Specific Precision In Football Players Aged 10-12

Introduction

In earlier literature precision, although a very important motor dimension, has been given little attention regarding football and sport in general. Speed, strength, endurance and flexibility are the abilities studied more often and presented in earlier literature together with the methods for their improvement, while the study of precision was put aside [14].

Precision is a motor ability to hit the target by a guided, thrown, struck or launched object. Precision also implies the ability to do directed and dosed motions and as such it is connected with estimated accuracy of space and time parameters of a particular motion system and its corresponding motion reactions [6].

Precision as a motor ability depends greatly on inheritance. It also depends on general physical preparedness as well as on particular training of a certain technical element. The precision gained by general motor preparation, training of certain technical elements should be distinguished from inherited precision. Higher levels of innate precision enable this motor ability in all motions regardless of their character. Precision gained by training is specific, since it reaches a particular level in a particular task and only under training conditions.

During the match, a footballer performs different acyclic and cyclic motions (he runs, walks, falls down, jumps, etc.) as he has the task to hit the ball with his leg or head and hit the target which is either the goal (an immobile target) or his team-mate who is most often in action (a mobile target). The complexity of this task is increased by the fact that the player has limited time, space and action against rival players [6].

The main issue all researchers had while determining the structure of a motor ability was the impreciseness of measure instruments [4]. Much research dealt mainly with the motor space as a whole while determining its structure. The results showed that the factor of precision was at the 24th place [9], or the 13th place [7]. Moreover, the results showed that it was impossible to identify hypothetical precision factors of hitting and throwing [15]. Finally, it came out that the first factor was precision of aiming at a target [2].

However, earlier research on precision is scanty and it does not define reliable identifications of precision. In earlier research available, precision was connected with other motor dimensions [1, 3, 5, 8, 13, 14].

The issue and the aim of this research are closely connected and they are focused on determining the structure of specific precision in footballers aged 10-12. In compliance with the issue and the aim of this study and according to earlier research it is expected to clearly determine the latent structure of specific precision of footballers aged 10-12.

Matherials and methods

Samples

The examinee sample was defined as an intentional sample of footballers aged 10-12 and it consisted of 256 boys who were attendants at football schools and football clubs from Novi Sad (ŠF Vojvodina ЯMR from Novi Sad, FK Novi Sad from Novi Sad, FK Veternik from Veternik and FK Petrovaradin from Petrovaradin).

Instrumentation and Procedure

The following tests for assessing specific precision were applied [14]:

Tests assessing specific precision of hitting a target with the foot:
At short distance from standing position:
→ specific precision at a small vertical target (SPNMVMUM); specific precision at a big vertical target (SPNVVMUM); specific precision at a horizontal target (SPNHCMUM).
At short distance from motion:
→ specific precision at a small vertical target (SPNMVMUV); specific precision at a big vertical target (SPNVVMUV); specific precision at a horizontal target (SPNHCMUV).
At long distance from standing position:
→ specific precision at a small vertical target (SPNMVVUM); specific precision at a big vertical target (SPNVVVUM); specific precision at a horizontal target (SPNHCVUM).
At long distance from motion:
→ specific precision at a small vertical target (SPNMVVUV); specific precision at a big vertical target (SPNVVVUV); specific precision at a horizontal target (SPNHCVUV).
New situation:
→ specific precision at a vertical target (SPNVCNNS); specific precision at a horizontal target (SPNHCNNS).
Tests assessing specific precision of hitting a target with the head:
At short distance from standing:
→ specific precision at a vertical target (SPGVCMUM); specific precision at a horizontal target (SPGHCMUM).
At short distance from jump:
→ specific precision at a vertical target (SPGVCMUS); specific precision at a horizontal target (SPGHCMUS).
At long distance from standing:
→ specific precision at a vertical target (SPGVCVUM); specific precision at a horizontal target (SPGHCVUM).
At long distance from jump:
→ specific precision at a vertical target (SPGVCVUS); specific precision at a horizontal target (SPGHCVUS).
New situation:
→ specific precision at a vertical target (SPGVCNNS); specific precision at a horizontal target (SPGHCNNS).

The test conditions and descriptions:

specific precision of hitting a small vertical target with the foot at shorter distance while standing (SPNMVMUM) – ten balls were put in a line with 1 meter space between them. A 1x1m goal was put in front of the line with the balls at the distance of 10 meters. The examinees’ task was to move slowly and to shoot the ball at the goal with the inner side of the foot; the ball should move so that it touched the ground. After the first shoot the examinee passed the flag stand which stood at 5 m distance from the middle balls and shot the second ball and so on. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of hits with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a big vertical target with the foot at shorter distance while standing (SPNVVMUM) – a 5x2m goal was divided into 3 fields with marked points (centre 1 point, closer angle 2 points, farther angle 3 points) and ten balls were put in a line with 1 meter space between them and 10 meters from the goal. The examinees’ task was to move slowly and to shoot the ball at the goal with the inner side of the foot. After the first shoot the examinee passed the flag stand which stood at 5 m distance from the middle balls and shot the second ball and so on. Before it passed the line of the goal the ball should not touch the ground. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of points with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a horizontal target with the foot at shorter distance while standing (SPNHCMUM) – concentric circles with a diameter of 1 m (3 points), 2 m (2 points), and 3m (1 point) were marked around the determined point on the ground, with a line at 10 m from the circles center. The ball was put on the line and the examinees’ task was to move slowly and to shoot at the circles 10 times with the inner side of the foot. After the first shoot the examinee passed the flag stand (flag) which stood at 5 m distance from the middle balls and shot the second ball and so on. Before it passed the line of the goal the ball should not touch the ground. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of points with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a small vertical target with the foot at shorter distance while moving (SPNMVMUV) – ten balls were put in a line with 1 meter space between them. A 1x1m goal was put in front of the line with the balls at the distance of 10 meters and one flag stand was put at 5 m behind the middle balls. The examinees’ task was to move slowly and to shoot the ball at the goal with the inner side of the foot; the ball should move so that it touched the ground. After the first hit the examinee took the second ball and went with it around the stand and so on. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of hits with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a big vertical target with the foot at shorter distance while moving (SPNVVMUV) – A 5x2m goal was divided into fields with marked points (centre 1 point, closer angle 2 points, farther angle 3 points) and ten balls were put in a line with 1 meter space between them and 10 meters from the goal; one flag stand was put 5 m behind the middle balls. The examinees’ task was to move slowly and to shoot the ball at the goal with the inner side of the foot; the ball should move so that it touched the ground. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of points with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a horizontal target with the foot at shorter distance while moving (SPNHCMUV) – concentric circles with a diameter of 1 m (3 points), 2 m (2 points), 3m (1 point) were marked around the determined point on the ground, with a line 10 m from the circles center on which ten balls were placed, divided by 1 m distance. The examinees’ task was to move slowly and to shoot at the concentric circles 10 times with the instep. After the first hit the examinee took the second ball and went with it around the stand and so on. The ball should not touch the ground before the marked circles. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of points with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a small vertical target with the foot at longer distance while standing (SPNMVVUM) – ten balls were put in a line with 1 meter space between them. A 1x1m goal was put in front of the line with the balls at the distance of 20 meters. The examinees’ task was to move slowly and to shoot the ball at the goal with the inner side of the foot; the ball should move so that it touched the ground. After the first shoot the examinee passed the flag stand which stood at 5 m distance from the middle balls and shot the second ball and so on. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of hits with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a big vertical target with the foot at longer distance while standing (SPNVVVUM) – a 5x2m goal was divided into fields with marked points (centre 1 point, closer angle 2 points, farther angle 3 points) and ten balls were put in a line with 1 meter space between them and 20 meters far from the goal. The examinees’ task was to move slowly and to shoot the ball at the goal with the inner side of the foot; the ball should move so that it touched the ground. After the first shoot the examinee passed the flag stand which stood at 5 m distance from the middle balls and shot the second ball and so on. Before it passed the line of the goal the ball could touch the ground only once; if it touched the ground more times the hit was not valid and the examinee scored zero points. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of points with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a vertical target with the foot at longer distance while standing (SPNHCVUM) – concentric circles with a diameter of 1 m (3 points), 2 m (2 points), 3m (1 point) were marked around the determined point on the ground with a line 20 m from the circles center on which ten balls were placed, divided by 1 m distance. The examinees’ task was to move slowly and to shoot concentric circles 10 times with the instep. After the first shoot the examinee passed the flag stand which stood at 5 m distance from the middle balls and shot the second ball and so on. Before it passed the line of the goal the ball could touch the ground only once; if it touched the ground more times the hit was not valid and the examinee scored zero points. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of points with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a small vertical target with the foot at longer distance while moving (SPNMVVUV) – ten balls were put in a line with 1 meter space between them. A 1x1m goal was put in front of the line with the balls at the distance of 20 meters and one flag stand was put at 5 m behind the middle balls. The examinees’ task was to move slowly and to shoot the ball at the goal with the inner side of the foot; the ball should move so that it touched the ground. After the first hit the examinee took the second ball and went with it around the stand and so on. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of hits with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a big vertical target with the foot at longer distance while moving (SPNVVVUV) – a 5x2m goal was divided into fields with marked points (centre 1 point, closer angle 2 points, farther angle 3 points) and ten balls were put in a line with 1 meter space between them and 20 meters from the goal; one flag stand was put 5 m behind the middle balls. The examinees’ task was to move slowly and to shoot the ball at the goal with the inner side of the foot; the ball should move so that it touched the ground. After the first hit the examinee took the second ball and went with it around the stand and so on. Before it passed the line of the goal the ball could touch the ground only once; if it touched the ground more times the hit was not valid and the examinee scored zero points. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of points with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a horizontal target with the foot at longer distance while moving (SPNHCVUV) – concentric circles with a diameter of 1 m (3 points), 2 m (2 points), 3m (1 point) were marked around the determined point on the ground, with a line 20 m from the circle center on which ten balls were placed, divided by 1 m distance. The examinees’ task was to move slowly and to shoot concentric circles 10 times with the instep. After the first hit the examinee took the second ball and went with it around the stand and so on. The ball should not touch the ground before marked circles. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of points with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a vertical target with the foot in a new situation (SPNVCNNS) – the examinee had his back turned at the flag stand which was 20 m far from the goal, with the task to turn around at the audio signal and to shoot at the moving goal 10 times with the inner side of the foot. A plastic goal moved from side to side in the range of 15 meters. Before it passed the line of the goal the ball could touch the ground only once. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of hits with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a horizontal target with the foot in a new situation (SPNHCNNS) – the examinee had his back turned at the flag stand which was 22 m far from moving ground on which concentric circles were marked with 1 m diameter (3 points), 2 m (2 points), 3m (1 point). The ball was placed by the flag stand which was 20 meters far from the circle centre. The examinee’s task was to turn around at the audio signal and to shoot at the concentric circles with the instep. A cardboard on which concentric circles were drawn moved from side to side in the range of 10 meters. Before it passed the line of the goal the ball could touch the ground only once. Five balls were hit with the right foot, and five with the left foot. The total number of points with either foot was calculated.
specific precision of hitting a vertical target with the head at shorter distance while standing (SPGVCMUM) – a 5x2m goal was divided into fields with marked points (centre 1 point, closer angle 2 points, farther angle 3 points). The examinee stood by the flag stand 6 m far from the goal facing goalposts (right and left). The examinee’s task was to put the ball on his head by himself and to shoot at the goal 10 times with his forehead while standing still. Before it passed the line of the goal, the ball should not touch the ground; if it touched the ground more times the hit was not valid and the examinee scored zero points. Five balls were hit from the right side and another five from the left side. The total number of points was registered.
specific precision of hitting a horizontal target with the head at shorter distance while standing (SPGHCMUM) – concentric circles with a diameter of 1 m (3 points), 2 m (2 points), and 3m (1 point) were marked around the determined point on the ground and the examinee stood by a flag stand placed 6 m far away from the center of the circles. The examinee’s task was to put the ball on his head by himself and to shoot at the concentric circles 10 times with his forehead while standing still. The ball should not touch the ground before the marked circles; if it touched the ground more times the hit was not valid and the examinee scored zero points. The total number of points was registered.
specific precision of hitting a vertical target with the head at shorter distance while jumping (SPGVCMUS) – a 2x5m goal was divided into fields with marked points (centre 1 point, closer angle 2 points, farther angle 3 points). The examinee stood by the flag stand 6 m far from the goal facing goalposts (right and left). The examinee’s task was to put the ball on his head by himself and to jump and shoot at the goal 10 times with his forehead. Before it passed the line of the goal the ball should not touch the ground; if it touched the ground more times the hit was not valid and the examinee scored zero points. Five balls were hit from the right side and another five from the left side. The total number of points was registered.
specific precision of hitting a horizontal target with the head at shorter distance while jumping (SPGHCMUS) – concentric circles with a diameter of 1 m (3 points), 2 m (2 points), and 3m (1 point) were marked around the determined point on the ground and the examinee stood by a flag stand 6 m far from the circle center. The examinee’s task was to put the ball on his head by himself and to jump and shoot at the concentric circles 10 times with his forehead. The ball should not touch the ground before marked circles; if it touched the ground more times the hit was not valid and the examinee scored zero points. The total number of points was registered.
specific precision of hitting a vertical target with the head at longer distance while standing (SPGVCVUM) – a 5x2m goal was divided into fields with marked points (centre 1 point, closer angle 2 points, farther angle 3 points). The examinee stood by the flag stand 10 m far from the goal facing goalposts (right and left). The examinee’s task was to put the ball on his head by himself and to shoot at the goal jumping 10 times with his forehead. Before it passed the line of the goal the ball should not touch the ground; if it touched the ground more times the hit was not valid and the examinee scored zero points. Five balls were hit from the right side and another five from the left side. The total number of points was registered.
specific precision of hitting a horizontal target with the head at longer distance while standing (SPGHCVUM) – concentric circles with a diameter of 1 m (3 points), 2 m (2 points), 3m (1 point) were marked around the determined point on the ground and the examinee stood by a flag stand 10 m far away from the center of the circles. The examinee’s task was to put the ball on his head by himself and to shoot at the concentric circles 10 times with his forehead while standing. The ball could touch the ground once; if it touched the ground more times the hit was not valid and the examinee scored zero points. The total number of points was registered.
specific precision of hitting a vertical target with the head at longer distance while jumping (SPGVCVUS) – a 5x2m goal was divided into fields with marked points (centre 1 point, closer angle 2 points, farther angle 3 points). The examinee stood by the flag stand 10 m far from the goal facing goalposts (right and left). The examinee’s task was to put the ball on his head by himself and to jump and shoot at the goal 10 times with his forehead. Before it passed the line of the goal the ball could touch the ground once; if it touched the ground more times the hit was not valid and the examinee scored zero points. Five balls were hit from the right side and another five from the left side. The total number of points was registered.
specific precision of hitting a horizontal target with the head at longer distance while jumping (SPGHCVUS) – concentric circles with a diameter of 1 m (3 points), 2 m (2 points), and 3m (1 point) were marked around the determined point on the ground and the examinee stood by a flag stand 10 m far away from the center of the circles. The examinee’s task was to put the ball on his head by himself and to jump and shoot at the concentric circles 10 times with his forehead. The ball could touch the ground once; if it touched the ground more times the hit was not valid and the examinee scored zero points. The total number of points was registered.
specific precision of hitting a vertical target with the head in a new situation (SPGVCNNS) – the examinee had his back turned at the flag stand, which was 12 m far from the goal. The ball was put on his head by the assistant who stood by the flag stand 10 m far from the goal. The examinee’s task was to turn forward at the audio signal and shoot at a moving goal 10 times with his forehead (the plastic goal moved from side to side in the range of 15 meters. Before it passed the line of the goal the ball could touch the ground only once; if it touched the ground more times the hit was not valid and the examinee scored zero points. The total number of shots with either was registered.
specific precision of hitting a horizontal target with the head in a new situation (SPGHCNNS) – the examinee had his back turned at the flag stand, which was 12 m far from the moving ground on which concentric circles were marked with 1 m diameter (3 points), 2 m (2 points), and 3m (1 point). The ball was put on his head by the assistant who stood by the flag stand 10 m far from the circle center. The examinee’s task was to turn forward at the audio sign and shoot at the concentric circles 10 times with his forehead. The cardboard with concentric circles moved from side to side in the range of 10 meters. Before it passed the line of the concentric circles the ball could touch the ground only once; if it touched the ground more times the hit was not valid and the examinee scored zero points. The total number of shots with one and another foot was registered.

The method of application of certain tests was suggested by Radosav [10]. Some tests were modified and some adapted for the needs of this study. Each test was done four times in order to determine reliability for the sample of examinees. The analysis of each test was done accordingly. The basis of intercorrelation matrix and alpha coefficient showed that the whole system of measuring instruments applied to evaluate specific precision in footballers was statistically very reliable. Satisfactory reliability of precision tests requires the correlation coefficient of many measurements to be 0.85. This research showed that alpha coefficient in five tests for assessing specific precision of hitting the target with the foot had values lower than 0.85 (SPNMVMUM -0.82, SPNHCMUM -0.80, SPNMVMUV -0.79, SPNHCMUV -0.83 i SPNVCNNS -0.81) although the values were very close. A great number of the assessment tests for specific precision of hitting the target with the head were highly reliable and there were no unreliable tests. Therefore, it was concluded that the applied test battery for specific precision in 10–12 year-old footballers was reliable so the authors recommend it for testing and control in the training process of young footballers. For specific foot precision three tests were applied to each test group except for the new situation and the head precision test groups, where two tests were applied because of the complexity of the task.

Before the testing the players were warmed up for 15 minutes and then they got 5 more minutes for free warm up. The pause between the tests was long enough so that the players were not tired. First two days included the tests of specific foot precision (2 x 7 tests), followed by two days of specific head precision tests (2 x 5 tests).

Statistical Analysis

The procedures for data processing were chosen so that they enabled the most optimal way of solving problems and achieving the aim of the research. Descriptive statistical parameters were calculated for all applied variables, while the latent structure of specific precision of 10–12 year-old footballers was determined by explorative Factor Analysis. This analysis transforms the main components of matrix intercorrelation variables into promax solution while using Kaiser-Guttmann's as well as scree criterion. This way the factor scores (results) were calculated for defined latent dimensions.

Results and discussion

Table 1 shows that distributions in all tests are normal except in two tests (SPNHCMUM and SPGHCMUM). A small asymmetry with slightly increased standard deviation is noticed in a few tests (SPNVVMUM, SPNVVMUV, SPNVVVUM, SPNVVVUV, SPGVCMUM, SPGHCMUM, SPGVCMUS, SPGHCMUS, SPGVCVUM, SPGHCVUM, SPGVCVUS, SPGHCVUS and SPGHCNNS). The examinees showed remarkable homogeneity in the applied tests of specific precision. It is probable that such a result was influenced by longer methodological training and technical training, which represents the most important part of the work at a football school class and a football club. This is also proved by the fact that the techniques of hitting the ball with the foot and the head are specific for football.

Table 1. Central and dispersal variables - parameters of specific precision.

Table 1 also shows that the examinees achieved good results in hitting the target with the foot and hitting the vertical target with the head (SPNMVMUM, SPNVVMUM, SPNMVMUV, SPNVVMUV, SPNMVVUM, SPNVVVUM, SPNMVVUV, SPNVVVUV, SPNVCNNS, SPGVCVUM, SPGVCVUS and SPGVCNNS), as well as in two tests of hitting the horizontal target with the head (SPGHCMUM and SPGHCMUS). On the contrary, they achieved not so good results in the tests of precision evaluation by hitting the horizontal target with the foot and the head from both standing and moving positions, both from shorter and longer distance, except for the two mentioned tests of hitting the horizontal target with the head.

Table 2 shows seven statistically significant extracted latent dimensions in the area of specific precision. The first one has the highest percentage of variance while the others have similar low percentage. Table 3 shows the matrix of the structure of latent dimensions in the area of specific precision in football.

Table 2. Statistically significant extracted components in the area of specific precision.

Table 3. Matrix of the structure of latent dimensions in the area of specific precision.

The structure of the first latent dimension consists of 7 tests (from 1 to 7). By analysis of the structure, this latent dimension can be interpreted as the factor of specific precision of hitting a target with the foot at short distance. The projections of all 7 tests on the first factor are high, especially for Tests 1 and 2.

The second latent dimension consists of 3 tests (from 8 to 10). By analysis of the structure, this latent dimension can be interpreted as the factor of specific precision of hitting a target with the head in a new situation.

The structure of the third latent dimension consists of 4 tests (from 11 to 14). By analysis of the structure, the third latent dimension can be interpreted as the factor of specific precision of hitting a horizontal and vertical target with the foot at long distance and in a new situation.

The fourth latent dimension consists of 3 tests (from 15 to 17). By analysis of the structure, this latent dimension can be interpreted as the factor of specific precision of hitting a horizontal target with the head.

The structure of the fifth latent dimension consists of 3 tests (from 18 to 20). By analysis of the structure, this latent dimension can be interpreted as the factor of specific precision of hitting a vertical target with the head.

The sixth latent dimension consists of 3 tests (from 21 to 23). By analysis of the structure, this latent dimension can be interpreted as the factor of specific precision of hitting a vertical target with the foot.

The seventh factor does not represent a latent dimension because it consists of just one test for assessing specific precision of hitting a horizontal target with the foot at long distance while standing (Test 24).

Table 4 shows the matrix of intercorrelations of latent dimensions in the area of specific precision. It says that the first isolated factor, the factor of specific precision of hitting a target with the foot at short distance, has the highest statistically significant correlations with all dimensions. Only the third and fifth latent dimensions have the average intensity of correlation, the other correlations are of low intensity. Isolated latent dimensions have their own relative independence except the first one which has high statistically significant correlations with all other latent dimensions.

Table 4. Matrix of intercorrelation of latent dimensions in the area of specific precision.

Discussion and Conclusions

Few previous studies identified primary precision so the need arose for further research of this motor dimension. On the other hand, research on situational precision proved that it was identified and that it was significant for success in some motor activities, especially in sport games.

Much research mainly studied the motor area as a whole, i.e., they determined its structure. Such research confirmed that it was impossible to identify hypothetical factors of precision of hitting and throwing [15]. However, it isolated seven latent dimensions of the structure of specific precision.

On the basis of the results obtained by descriptive statistics and according to the percentage (%) of achieving maximal hypothetical results, it is noticed that the examinees achieved especially good results in tests of hitting the vertical target with the foot and the head, while they achieved lower scores in the tests of precision assessment of hitting the horizontal target with the foot and the head while standing and moving at longer and shorter distances. This is clearer if the percentage (%) of achieving maximal hypothetical results from the same group is compared (different targets but the same technique of fulfilling the task). Better results were achieved mainly in tests of precision assessment of a vertical target. Interestingly, the highest percentage of achieving maximal hypothetical results occurred with the tests SPGHCMUM (55.90) and SPGHCMUS (48.57). These are the tests which assessed horizontal target precision and the only two tests with higher percent values (%) of achieving maximal hypothetical results compared with the tests of assessing vertical target precision. On the other hand, the tests of vertical target precision had the highest percentage (%) of achieving maximal hypothetical results with the tests SPNMVMUM (42.10), SPGVCVUS (40.83), SPGVCNNS (40.40), SPNMVMUV (34.60) etc.

According to this research, it can be concluded that 7 latent dimensions of specific precision were isolated, namely the factor of specific precision of hitting a target with the foot at short distance, the factor of specific precision of hitting a target by the head in a new situation, the factor of specific precision of hitting a horizontal and vertical target with the foot at long distance and in a new situation, the factor of specific precision of hitting a horizontal target with the head, the factor of specific precision of hitting a vertical target with the head, the factor of specific precision of hitting a vertical target with the foot, and the factor of specific precision of hitting a horizontal target with the foot at long distance while standing. It is likely to assume that further factorization in the latent area would lead to a general factor of specific precision, but at this moment it is just a hypothesis that should be proved.

Practical application

During the selection of footballers, trainers very often decide upon those who meet the following criteria: physical constitution, strength, and stamina. The reason for this is the trainers’ belief that they will prove themselves more easily and in a shorter period of time. It is necessary to select footballers on the criterion of precision. In football and especially in the teaching methods of training, greater attention should be paid to precision. Precision is an ability, which gives contemporary footballers the opportunity to accomplish a high level of efficiency and mastery. The importance of precision in a successful football game is very significant. Therefore, it is necessary for trainers of younger categories to identify this ability in boys as early as possible. When selecting young footballers for a football school, little attention is paid to precision as an inborn capability. Children should be given several unknown tasks under the same conditions. It is very important for the teaching methods of football training to know that precision is a highly inheritable characteristic and that inherited precision has a general character, but it can be substantially improved by training. This is especially shown in new situations during the game. Precision achieved by exercise of clearly defined technical and tactical elements in clearly defined conditions is specific. It is closely connected to the exercised elements and it only shows in training conditions. This fact is very important for the plan of training which focuses on precision of aiming at the goal and passing the ball.