The concept of selection
The word “selection” in the language comes from the verb “to select, selects, selection… to select something means to choose it”. This subject is one of the important topics in the field of sport, since individuals are not equal in their potential and abilities, as there are individual differences between them, defined as “the variation and difference in mental, physical, motor and physique-related abilities.” For this reason, “discovering the motor abilities and physiological characteristics that distinguish each person, and then directing them to practise the type of sporting activity that suits what distinguishes them, hastens the attainment of success and the required standards while economising on time, effort and money.”
Selection in the sporting field is one of the basic pillars for reaching advanced levels, and the need for it arose from the differing physical, mental and psychological characteristics of individuals, in line with the theory of individual differences. Every sporting activity or event has requirements or model specifications that must be present in the athlete for them to be able to achieve advanced levels. The process of selection in the sporting field aims, in general, to choose the best athletes to practise a particular sporting activity and bring it to a high level in that activity. The need for this process arose from the differences between athletes and their physical, mental and psychological aptitudes. It has become accepted that an athlete’s chances of reaching top levels in sport improve if, from the outset, they can be selected and directed towards the type of sporting activity that suits their various aptitudes and abilities, and if the effect of training processes on the growth and development of those aptitudes and abilities can be predicted, in a way that enables the athlete to achieve continuous progress.
Definition of sporting selection.
Sporting selection is the process of choosing the best players from among young players who have special aptitudes and abilities consistent with the requirements of the type of sporting activity. It is an ongoing process through which male and female players are compared according to certain criteria, meaning choosing the best talented players to practise the type of activity that suits their various aptitudes and abilities.
The process of selecting talent in the sporting field aims to choose the best elements with a view to reaching the highest levels of physical performance, drawing on numerous aspects of talent, whether physical, psychological or hereditary.
The importance of selection in the sporting field
1 – Economising on time, effort and money
2 – Arriving at a choice of appropriate scientific methods for selecting the best elements, while determining the time needed to polish this talent and bring it to the best levels of performance.
3 – Designing and preparing training programmes with confidence that they can be achieved, based on the characteristics and abilities of the players.
4 – Predicting future levels of physical and technical performance.
5 – Increasing the volume and intensity of training with confidence.
6 – Properly improving the level of physical, technical, skill-related and psychological performance.
7 – Protecting the athlete from becoming involved in negative social behaviour.
8 – Helping the athlete gain self-confidence in training and competition.
9 – It is considered an ideal field for applying scientific theories in the field of sports training
James and William (1983) add to the importance of selection that this process also helps in evaluating players when drawing up carefully considered programmes for them, and also helps determine the point at which the coach should begin designing training programmes, in addition to clarifying the level and nature of the programmes the coach offers these players and how suitable they are for them.
Aims of selection in the sporting field
The selection process is not limited to discovering talented individuals and directing them to the sporting activities suited to their aptitude; it also includes many aims, the most notable of which are:-
1 – Determining the morphological, physical and motor specifications and requirements that must be present in an individual for them to excel in the sporting activity.
2- Early discovery of those with high aptitudes and abilities.
3 – Directing those wishing to practise sport towards the fields suited to their inclinations and tendencies.
4 – Creating a broad base of talented and sporting-minded individuals from which to choose the best elements over multiple periods of time.
5 – Economising on time, effort and money in the sports training process for those expected to excel in this sporting activity in the future.
6 – Rationalising the training process to develop and build up the individual’s potential and abilities in light of what needs to be achieved.
7 – Increasing motivation to practise sport, so as to bring the levels of the group of individuals closer together and achieve cohesion within the unit, and to move away from disparity between them.
8 – Focusing the training process on developing the potential and abilities of those expected to achieve high levels and accomplishments.
9 – Choosing the best individuals in a specific sporting activity to form teams to take part in a particular competition.
10 – Developing the processes and stages of sporting selection, in terms of organisation and effectiveness, through ongoing studies and scientific research.
Characteristics of selection
1 – The selection process should be carried out from a large base of individuals.
2 – It is characterised by continuity, and is not fixed at a single one of its stages.
3 – Reliance on experience in selection, whether personal experience or scientific experience.
4 – Integration during the selection process, in the sense of viewing the personality of the person being selected as a single, integrated unit encompassing all functional aspects.
5 – Individuality, meaning the characteristics specific to the individual that distinguish them from their peers, and their level of awareness and potential.(76:4)
The scientific foundations of selection:
There are certain principles that must be observed in selection processes, as follows:-
• The scientific basis of selection: meaning that diagnostic and measurement methods must be built on a scientific basis.
• Comprehensiveness of the aspects of selection: it must cover all aspects related to the player (physical, physique-related and psychological).
• Continuity of measurement and diagnosis: selection in the sporting field does not stop at a particular stage; rather, measurements are continuous throughout all stages.
• Suitability of selection measures: meaning that the measures must be flexible, with the possibility of adjustment according to different circumstances.
• The educational value of selection: this relates to the results of the selection processes, in that they should also serve the process of developing and updating training programmes.
• The human dimension of selection: taking into account individual differences and the psychological aspects relating to the player.
Advantages of using the scientific method in selection:-
1 – Reducing the time it takes the player to reach the best possible level
2 – Enabling coaches to work with the best available elements
3 – Giving the player the opportunity to reach high sporting levels
4 – Providing a degree of consistency among players.
