Abstract
Over the last years there has been a substantial growth in research related to specific training methods in soccer with a strong emphasis on the effects of small-sided games. The increase of research in this topic is coincident with the increase of popularity obtained by specific soccer conditioning, which involves training players to deal with soccer match situations. Given the limited time available for fitness training in soccer, the effectiveness of small-sided games as a conditioning stimulus needs to be optimized to allow players to compete at the highest level. Available studies indicate that physiological responses (e.g. heart rate, blood lactate concentration and rating of perceived exertion), tactical and technical skill requirements can be modified during small-sided games by altering factors such as the number of players, the size of the pitch, the rules of the game, and coach encouragement. However, because of the lack of consistency in small-sided games design, player fitness, age, ability, level of coach encouragement, and playing rules in each of these studies, it is difficult to make accurate conclusions on the influence of each of these factors separately.
Highlights
Soccer is probably the most popular sport in the world
Despite its universal nature and its formal history extended back over a hundred years, there are still many uncertainties concerning its multidimensional requirements and uncertainties when planning for optimal training and conditioning
The opposite was suggested by Hill-Haas et al (2008), when these authors observed in their research that maximal and mean sprint duration and distance were increased with the amount of players involved
Summary
Soccer is probably the most popular sport in the world. Despite its universal nature and its formal history extended back over a hundred years, there are still many uncertainties concerning its multidimensional requirements (physiological, psychological, biomechanical) and uncertainties when planning for optimal training and conditioning. We found recent studies with conclusions which suggest that physiological responses (e.g. heart rate, blood lactate concentration and rating of perceived exertion) and technical/skill requirements can be modified during SSG in soccer by altering factors such as the number of players, the size of the pitch, the rules of the game, and coach encouragement (Casamichana and Castellano, 2010; Grant et al, 1999a; 1999b; Little and Williams, 2006; 2007; Owen et al, 2004; Platt et al, 2001; Impellizzeri et al, 2006; Tessitore et al, 2006; Jones and Drust, 2007; Rampinini et al, 2007; Williams and Owen, 2007; BarberoÁlvarez et al, 2008; Dellal et al, 2008; Gabbett and Mulvey, 2008; Kelly and Drust, 2008; Mallo and Navarro, 2008; Castagna et al, 2009; Coutts et al, 2009; Hill-Haas et al, 2008; 2009a,b,c; 2010; Katis and Kellis, 2009). The opposite was suggested by Hill-Haas et al (2008), when these authors observed in their research that maximal and mean sprint duration and distance were increased with the amount of players involved
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