The impact of match venue on performance indicators and tactical behaviour in youth soccer players

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study analysed the effects of changing the match venue on match-related physiological, physical, and tactical responses on youth soccer age-dependent. Fifty outfield U-17 (n = 25) and U-20 (n = 25) youth players were monitored over the 2020 competitive season. Players’ and teams’ match demands were monitored by GPS devices, allowing the generation of physiological (heart rate), physical (distances, sprints, and accelerations), and tactical (positional variables) match-related variables. These variables were compared by a two-way analysis of variance (age category x match venue). The analysis indicated that the effect of match venue on players’ and teams’ responses was age-dependent. Specifically, higher heart rate, total distance, distance in all speed thresholds, and sprints were observed in home matches, although this effect was observed only in the U-17 group (except for the heart rate and total distance). Younger players also presented higher exploratory tactical behaviour, while less spatial exploration was observed in home matches. Also, teams adopted a more in-depth tactical positioning in away matches. We conclude that older, and hence more experient, youth soccer players tend to adopt more stable physiological, physical, and tactical responses in home and away matches, although the responses and the performance tend to be higher in home matches.