Abstract
Decision-making (DM) is an important ability targeted in the formation of young football players that can improve by using small-sided games (SSGs). The main purpose of this study was to assess players’ DM in different balanced and unbalanced SSG formats keeping the play area constant. The sample was composed of 10 field players plus 2 goalkeepers (13.55±0.51 years). This study consisted of 3 sessions, one day for each session, with an interval of 48 hours apart between sessions. Three different SSG formats (4vs.4; 4vs.5; 4vs.6), in a play area of 40x30 meters, were selected. The outcome was the decision-making index (DMI), assessed with the Game Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI). Results showed that on two of the three days, there were statistical differences in DMI across the three different SSG formats. In the 4vs.6 format a higher median score than in the 4vs.4 format was recorded on day 2 (U=13.0, z=-2.34, p=.025, r=.57) and day 3 (U=5.50, z=-2.98, p=.003, r=.72). In conclusion, the use of unbalanced SSG formats in the training may benefit DM development, and therefore may constitute an important factor to be considered in the formation of young football players.
Highlights
The evolution and development of new training methodologies are crucial for the progress of collective sports since it allows the optimization of the team performance and development of each player.The literature has shown for some time that future research should emphasize changes in basic knowledge of the game, motor patterns, and, above all, the behaviors and skills of the game (Turner & Martinek, 1995; French & McPherson, 2004)
This study aimed to investigate behaviors associated with the performance of the game, especially those of a tactical nature, estimating the decision-making index (DMI) of the players in different balanced and unbalanced small-sided games (SSGs) formats (4vs.4; 4vs.5; 4vs.6), in a play area with 40x30 meters
The aim of this study was to assess players’ DM in different balanced and unbalanced SSG formats keeping the play area constant.This study provides evidence that in the 4vs.6 format higher DMI scores than in the 4vs.4 format can be recorded when the play area is kept constant
Summary
The evolution and development of new training methodologies are crucial for the progress of collective sports since it allows the optimization of the team performance and development of each player.The literature has shown for some time that future research should emphasize changes in basic knowledge of the game, motor patterns, and, above all, the behaviors and skills of the game (Turner & Martinek, 1995; French & McPherson, 2004). The literature has recommended that the different formats of SSGs and the different variables that compose them await a scientific demonstration on their effectiveness, it advises that future studies should analyze changes in basic knowledge, in motor patterns, and, above all, in the behaviors and skills of playing associated with DM in young practitioners (French & McPherson, 2004; Baldi et al, 2016). Studies like Ric et al (2016) and Canton et al (2019) indicate that no research has assessed the effects of temporary numerical imbalances on the team’s exploratory behavior,and DM is one of the crucial factors in that game component
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