Relative Age Effect, Biological Maturation, and Coaches’ Efficacy Expectations in Young Male Soccer Players

The talent identification and selection process in young male soccer players is mainly focused on anthropometrics and physical performance, but social factors are also considered in this process. The purpose of this study was to test the existence of the relative age effect and its possible influence on anthropometrics and physical performance and to analyze coaches' efficacy expectations.Data for 564 young male soccer players (Mage = 13.7 ± 1.5...