Train like you play? Comparing the technical and locomotor characteristics of female youth academy soccer players during practice and competition and the influence of growth and maturation

Despite increasing investment in female soccer, research on female‑specific youth talent development remains limited. This study examined age‑ and maturity‑related differences in the technical and locomotor demands of practice activities relative to competition in a professional female youth soccer academy in England. Fifty‑two (U12–U15) players were observed across two matches and eight practice sessions, each using foot‑mounted inertial measurement units. Generalised linear mixed models assessed effects of age group, activity type, and biological maturity. Technical practice activities elicited greater ball involvement per minute than competition, with time on the ball almost doubled (SRR = 1.87) and touches up to five times higher (SRR 1.65–4.91). Earlier‑maturing players showed greater total time on the ball and longer possession sequences, with fewer touches, releases, and one‑touch actions. Locomotor outputs were consistently lower in practice, where conditioned games, skill, and technical activities reduced total (SRR 0.39–0.71), high‑intensity (SRR 0.15–0.47), and sprint (SRR ≤ 0.37) distance per minute. Large‑sided games most closely approximated competition (SRR 0.91–2.74). Physical outputs increased with maturation, though circa‑maturation players showed transient reductions in high‑intensity running, accelerations, and decelerations. Findings indicate that practice emphasises technical development but may not replicate competition’s physical demands, highlighting the need for balanced practice design.