Developing a tool to assess technical skills in talented youth table tennis players-a multi-method approach combining professional and scientific literature and coaches' perspectives.

This study revealed the crucial elements of technical skills that should be taken into account when assessing sport-specific technical skills of youth table tennis players (8-12 years). Moreover, it provided concise descriptions of what is considered to be flawed or excellent executions of technical skills. Based on these findings, a first observation sheet, the Oldenburg observation sheet for Table Tennis Technique (O3T), was created to be used for the assessment of the current technical skill level within a competitive context at the early stage of a table tennis player's career. Future research should focus on its measurement properties and its value within a multidimensional assessment for talent purposes.