Change-of-Direction Performance and Deficit Across Varying Angles in Adolescent Male Soccer Players: Impact of Chronological and Biological Age

Change-of-direction (COD) ability is decisive in soccer, yet how COD performance and the COD deficit (CODD) vary across angles and are influenced by chronological versus biological age in adolescents remains unclear. In this cross-sectional observational study, ninety-four male adolescent soccer players (U14–U19) completed linear (20 m) and curve (17 m) sprints and 90°, zig-zag (135°) and modified 505 (180°) COD tests; CODD and maturity offset were calculated. Effect size (ES) and correlation (r) results are reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sprint and COD performance improved with age, with U14 being slower than older groups (largest ES: 90° COD, U14 vs. U18 = 3.33; 95% CI: 2.47–4.18). After adjusting for maturity offset, linear sprint and 90° COD differences disappeared, whereas curve sprint and 180° COD differences persisted (180° COD, U14 vs. U19: ES = 3.07; 95% CI: 2.15–3.98). CODD showed no consistent age- or maturity-related pattern and correlated negatively with sprint and curve performance (from r = −0.67, 95% CI: −0.77 to −0.55, to r = −0.21, 95% CI: −0.40 to −0.01). Chronological age influences COD performance across angles and maturation affects curve and 180° COD but not 90° COD, whereas CODD appears to be independent of both, indicating that it may complement conventional COD measures in individualized assessment.