Technological tools and their contribution to training soccer players in youth categories

Abstract

Youth soccer faces the challenge of integrating advanced technologies without a methodological framework, causing an excess of data to overshadow the pedagogical and comprehensive development of children in the field. The objective of this study is to analyze the operational and pedagogical impact of the use of technology in youth categories to identify the barriers that limit its effectiveness. To this end, the research had a qualitative design based on structured interviews with five coaches and a sports coordinator, analyzing dimensions of fluidity, autonomy, and workload. Among the results, a 15% loss of effective practice time due to technical logistics and a high administrative overload for the coach were detected. Although children are digital natives, they lack the ability to interpret data without mediation. The study concluded that technology is used in a fragmented way and without standards. Success does not depend on the software, but on the creation of a framework that turns data into a pedagogical tool and not just metric. Hence, it is proposed to design a data literacy protocol in the future that automates processes and standardizes indicators according to the maturity stage of the soccer player in the youth categories.