Abstract
US Lacrosse’s Athlete Development Model (LADM) currently encourages small-sided game (SG) field dimensions to increase development and skill acquisition for youth athletes. No studies have evaluated changes in game-play subsequent to SG participation in boys’ youth lacrosse (BYL). PURPOSE: To describe game-play characteristics during SG (35-45 yd) and full-field games (FG, 60-70 yd) in BYL. METHODS: Data was collected from 33 BYL players in Virginia (8.5±0.5 years, 138.3±5.7 cm, 35.9±6.5kg) on SG (n=15) and FG (n=18) teams. All games were filmed using a digital camera affixed to a camera lift system. Game-play characteristics were measured by reviewing the game video and coding for characteristics of unsuccessful passes, successful passes, shots on goal, goalie saves, changes of possession, loose balls, and intercepted passes. Descriptive statistics were reported (Frequency, Mean) for all observed game-play characteristics. RESULTS: Teams participated in 12 games total with 159 total athlete-exposures. Total gameplay characteristics were: unsuccessful passes (SG=587, FG=399), successful passes (SG=165, FG=347), shots on goal (SG=81, FG=143), goalie saves (SG=28, FG=79), changes of possession (SG=419, FG=335), loose balls (SG=799, FG=670), and intercepted passes (SG=31, FG=24). The average characteristic per game were: unsuccessful passes (SG=97.8, FG=66.5), successful passes (SG=27.5, FG=57.8), shots on goal (SG=13.5, FG=23.8), goalie saves (SG=4.7, FG=13.2), changes of possession (SG=69.8, FG=55.8), loose balls (SG=133.2, FG=111.7), and intercepted passes (SG=5.2, FG=4.0). Further characteristics included: percent successful passes (SG=22%, FG=47%) and percent of successful shots on goal (SG=60%, FG=41%). CONCLUSION: Generally, FG had a greater percentage of successful passes than SG with comparable attempts per game between the two groups. In addition, SG had a greater successful shot percentage on less shots but had fewer goalie saves per game. Lastly, the SG team had more unsuccessful passes, loose balls, and turnovers. Further research is required to understand the effects of all aspects of the LADM on player development in BYL.
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