Abstract
It is well known that the interaction between athletes has a positive effect on performance. In a sequence of small-sided games, soccer players must analyze their interactions (interaction between forwards and defenders) to adjust their position and engage in the creation of opportunities to score a goal. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of interaction or relationship practices between players in football (forwards and defenders) through soccer small-sided games (SSG). Eighty soccer players (18.2 ± 1.01 years, 1.80 ± 0.05 m and 75.0 ± 7.6 kg; mean ± SD) were volunteered to perform two sessions for four minutes with a recovery period of two minutes in a football court measuring 35 × 30 m with small-sided games. Participants were divided in eight groups and eachteam was composed of five players with three defenders and two forwards (3D + 2F) for the first team, and three forwards and two defenders (3F + 2D) for the second team. The first session consists of playing the two teamsagainst each other whereas the second session consists of playing the forwards against the defenders (5F vs. 5D).In each session, numbers of passes were recorded using video analysis. Additionally, interaction between players was obtained with sociometry questionnaire. The main results showed a significant difference of the interaction in favour of the same player’s compartment compared to the players of different compartment (p < 0.05). However,the players of the same compartment emit the greatest number of passes and goals (p < 0.05). In conclusion, it’seffective during the sequences of soccer SSG to play groups of the same compartment. This homogeneity in the compartments may allow better performance during football matches.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of interaction or relationship practices between players in football through soccer small-sided games (SSG)
The psychosocial environment, or team climate as it is more commonly termed in sport, is comprised of the quantity, quality, and sequence of the interactions that occur among all team members (Carron et al, 2002)
Statistical analysis showed that the number of passes in DT between defenders was higher in comparison with the number of passes between defenders and forwards (p < 0.035)
Summary
The psychosocial environment, or team climate as it is more commonly termed in sport, is comprised of the quantity, quality, and sequence of the interactions that occur among all team members (athletes and coaches included) (Carron et al, 2002). These interactions create a specific team atmosphere, which is responsible for much of the influence exerted on group members’ behavior (Miles et al, 2011). There is no attempt to deny that successful team performance is one major responsibility of the coach, athletes are responsible for creating a team climate that emphasizes acceptance, understanding, and communication among other things (Sullivan & Feltz, 2003). In defensive play, they must make their teammates continually aware of potential problems regarding their own and the other team’s locations and activities on court in ways that are often more time-pressured and less dependent on practiced game plans than is the case for attacking play in order to promote successful collaborative action that counteracts the opposition’s attack (Lecouteur & Foe, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
