Biobanding evaluation nets positive results among academy football teams

Matching young players according to their developmental or biological age, as opposed to their chronological age, has positive effects in terms of performance, talent identification and injury reduction in football, according to a new significant new study. The paper, published in the Journal of Sports Sciences , from researchers in our Department for Health was also the first to explore athletes' experiences of competing in a 'biobanded tournament'. Grouping players by biological age. Biobanding, a term growing in prominence among sports scientists, coaches and teams, is an effort to level the playing field when it comes to training and development for young players. Proponents suggest that by restricting players for training to those of similar size and strength, late developers have a better chance to shine and young players of all sizes have a better chance of improving their game. The tournament, an initiative organised by the Premier League , which took place earlier this year involved young players from 11-a-side academy teams from Reading, Southampton, Stoke City and Norwich City football clubs. The selection process can involve players playing up with older children, or playing down with young peers.