When Should a Player Specialize in Soccer?

Last updated on December 15, 2024

A group of academics conducted a study to look at the development pathways of 328 top competitive under-16 soccer players from seven different countries – Brazil, England, France, Ghana, Mexico, Portugal, and Sweden. This is what they found.

There Is More then One Path to Success

The study indentified three main developmental pathways that the players in the study followed:

Early Engagement: The “early engagement” pathway involves a strong focus on soccer at a young age, with emphasis on informal play instead of structured practice. Players who followed this path tended to play soccer mostly for fun during their early years, with formal training and competition increasing as they approached their teens. Early engagement allows for the development of sport-specific skills in a more enjoyable and less pressured environment, potentially leading to better long-term outcomes.
Early Specialization: The “early specialization” pathway involves focusing intensely on soccer from a young age, with a heavy emphasis on structured practice and competition. Players who follow this path often participate in formal training programs and spend little time playing other sports.
Early Diversification: In the “early diversification” pathway, players engage in a variety of sports during their early years, which helps them develop a wide range of physical and mental skills. The idea is that playing multiple sports can lead to better overall athletic development and reduce the risk of burnout or injury. Athletes who follow this path often specialize in one sport later, typically in their early teens.

Which Pathway(s) Did Most Players Follow?

Across the seven countries studied, the players generally followed a combination of early specialization and early engagement, rather than early diversification. By the time they were 12 years old, many of them had already entered top-level training academies, where they focused more almost exclusively on soccer. The balance between play, practice, and competition varied by country.

How Did the Results from Each Pathway Compare?

The study provided insights into how players from different countries followed these pathways and how it affected their development:

Early Specialization: Players in countries like Mexico and Sweden tended to follow the early specialization pathway more closely. In Mexico, players accumulated more total hours in structured soccer practice than those in most other countries. These players started formal training and competition at a young age and spent significant time in these activities throughout their childhood and teen years. While early specialization can lead to rapid skill development, the study suggests it might also come with risks, such as burnout and injuries, particularly if not balanced with enough play and rest.
Early Diversification: The early diversification pathway was not widely followed by the players in this study. Most players, regardless of country, did not participate in many other sports besides soccer. The exception was England, where players were involved in an average of 4 other sports during childhood. Participation in multiple sports might have contributed to their overall athletic development, providing benefits like enhanced coordination and reduced risk of overuse injuries. Even in England, though, soccer remained the main focus from a young age, and players quickly shifted to more specialized soccer training as they approached their teens.
Early Engagement: The early engagement pathway was most clearly followed by players in Brazil, who spent a substantial amount of time in informal soccer play during their early years, such as street soccer or Futsal, and only transitioned to more structured training later in childhood. This approach allowed them to develop creativity, decision-making skills, and a deep love for the game. Despite engaging in less formal practice during early childhood, Brazilian players were able to reach top levels, which suggests that a strong foundation of informal play might be just as effective as, or even more beneficial than, early specialization.

Interesting Finds

The study highlighted several interesting differences between the countries in terms of how players developed their soccer skills:

Brazil: Brazilian players played informally a lot (mostly street soccer games (“peladas”) or futsal), which allowed them to develop their skills in a less structured environment. They did not start formal training until later in childhood compared to players from other countries. The Brazilian approach suggests that a focus on fun and informal play in the early years can lead to the development of high-level skills without the risks associated with early specialization.
England: English players were more likely to mix early specialization and diversification. They started formal soccer training at a young age and participated in structured practice and competitions from early childhood. English players were also involved in other sports, averaging about 4 different sports during childhood. This diversified approach might have contributed to the players’ overall physical development, making them well-rounded athletes while also allowing them to focus on soccer.
France: French players also started soccer at a young age, and balanced formal training with other sports to a lesser extent than English players. French players’ pathway tended to combine elements of early engagement and early specialization, with a focus on structured soccer activities alongside some informal play. This balanced approach likely helped them develop soccer skills while avoiding some of the risks associated with intense early specialization.
Ghana: Ghanaian players followed a pathway similar to Brazil, starting formal soccer activities later than players from most other countries. They engaged more in informal play during their early years and gradually transitioned to structured training as they grew older. This approach aligns with the early engagement pathway, emphasizing the importance of fun and enjoyment in soccer during childhood.
Mexico: Mexican players followed the early specialization pathway more closely than players from other countries. They accumulated more total hours in structured soccer practice and competition than their peers in most other countries. This intense focus on soccer from a young age may have contributed to their rapid skill development, but it also highlights the potential risks of early specialization, such as burnout and injury.
Portugal: Portuguese players followed a balanced approach, starting soccer at a young age and participating in structured training relatively early. They also engaged in other sports during their childhood, though not as many as English players. The Portuguese system seems to combine elements of early specialization and early engagement, allowing players to develop a strong foundation in soccer while exploring other athletic activities.
Sweden: Swedish players, like those in England, started formal training early and participated in a variety of sports during their childhood. On average, Swedish players were involved in about 2 to 3 different sports. This diversified sports participation likely contributed to the players’ overall physical development, while the structured soccer training helped them hone their soccer-specific skills.

Why It Matters

The study provides valuable insights into how different developmental pathways can shape the careers of top soccer players. While early specialization can lead to rapid skill development, it also comes with risks such as burnout and injury. On the other hand, early engagement, particularly when combined with informal play, can foster creativity, enjoyment, and long-term success in soccer. Early diversification, although less common in this study, may offer benefits by developing well-rounded athletes who are less prone to overuse injuries.

The key takeaway for coaches and parents is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to developing soccer talent. It is important to find a balance that suits players’ individual needs and preferences. Whether through structured training, informal play, or participation in different sports, what matters most is that children enjoy the game and remain motivated to improve.

By understanding the different pathways that elite players from around the world have taken, we can better support the next generation of soccer players in achieving their goals while maintaining their passion for the sport.

The paper referenced in this post is: “The developmental activities of elite soccer players aged under-16 years from Brazil, England, France, Ghana, Mexico, Portugal and Sweden” by Paul R. Ford, et al. (Journal of Sports Sciences, November 2012; 30(15): 1653–1663).

The paper can be found here.