Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: Previous studies on soccer small-sided games (SSGs) chose between with and without offside rule conditions without evidence-based criteria. The current study aimed to compare the positional dynamics of 3v3 SSGs with and without the offside rule. Methods: Twenty-four Brazilian U-17 national-level soccer players were recruited. They were split into eight teams and played SSGs with and without the offside rule . Positional data were gathered by a Global Positioning System, and teams’ length, width, the length per width ratio (LPWratio), stretch index and players’ spatial exploration index were calculated. Data were compared between the experimental conditions by a paired t-test. Results: Results showed that SSGs with the offside rule presented lower values of length (~16.63%, large effect), the LPWratio (~19.74%, large effect), and players’ spatial exploration (~4.13%, small-to-moderate effect). Conclusion: We conclude that the offside rule impacts players’ positional behavior in SSGs, inducing a less exploratory behavior mainly in the width axis. For this reason, we recommend caution when interpreting previous results on SSG when the offside rule was not applied since adopting this rule might elicit different responses to the players . Coaches can manipulate this rule aiming to achieve specific tactical goals for the training session.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: 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.