Purpose: Current research within professional football has shown; 1) technical demands have significantly increased (Barnesefo/., 2014), 2) a positive association between greater ball possession and successful results (Liu ef o/., 2016), and 3) players from successful teams complete more technical actions (Rampinini ef al.. 2009). Therefore, from a talent development perspective, it is proposed that it is important to assess both unopposed technique and skill behaviours, to support the development strategies of these fundamental technical attributes in elite youth football. Although there are some studies that demonstrate elite youth football players elicit superior technical skills compared to their non-elite counterparts (Vaeyens ef al.. 2006). there is no research surrounding technical characteristics within an academy environment that predict developmental outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess technical attributes and skill behaviours to determine, over two consecutive football seasons, what outcomes support greater age-specific development within the Foundation Development Phase (FDP; under-9 to 11s) and Youth Development Phase (YDP; under-12 to 16s) in an English football academy. Methods: A total of four football-specific technical tests were used to assess technical ability. Eight match analysis statistics from competitive match-play were also observed to examine skill behaviours. A total of 87 players (aged 8 to 17 years) were analysed within their respective phase: FDP (n=36) and YDP (n=51). Development was measured by comparing the delta change between overall player profile scores from two seasonal player reports. Stepwise regression analyses were conducted to assess the predictive capability of these variables on overall development, with statistical significance set at p=0.05. Results: Within the FDP. average total touches per game change explained 7.4% of the variance (r2^0.074, p=0.003), whilst lob pass ability explained a further 2% of the variance (r2=0.094. p=0.011). Within the YDP. lob pass ability explained 11.7% of the variance (r^O.117, p=0.020) pass completion percentage change explained a further 8.3% of the variance (^=0.200, p=0.031). whilst reliability in possession percentage change explained a further 8.2% of the variance (^=0.282, p=0.024). Conclusion: Interestingly, lob pass ability was the only technical test that was associated with increased development in both age phases. Additionally, in possession skill behaviours were the attributes that were associated with superior development in both age phases. Together this research supports the proposition that professional football academies should emphasise developing passing accuracy and ability, through planning and delivering both unopposed technical practices and unpredictable game-based situations. Furthermore, it is suggested that strategies are incorporated to increase ball contact time during competitive match-play within the FDP. For example, competing with reduced player numbers during competitive match-play. to increase individual total touches, could subsequently enhance development opportunities.
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