Small-sided And Conditioned Games Research Articles

Developing cognitive and motor decision-making skills through tactical principles and small-sided games in youth soccer

ABSTRACT This study aimed to verify the influence of 25 training sessions based on tactical principles and small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG) in developing cognitive and motor decision-making skills of U-12 soccer players. Participants were 25 U-12 elite male soccer players from a Brazilian first division national club. Perceptual-cognitive decision-making skills (quality and response time) were assessed with an objective video-based test (TacticUP®). Perceptual-motor decision-making skills (tactical efficiency) were assessed with the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUT-SAT). Both instruments were developed based on the same theoretical background (core tactical principles). The 25 training sessions were organised based on tactical principles and SSCG. The sessions were designed considering the individual needs to improve decision-making skills. Results showed improvements (p < .05) in: 1) perceptual-cognitive decision-making skills related to the decision-making time for both offensive and defensive actions and 2) perceptual-motor skills for defensive actions. We also found unexpected results for the quality of decision-making. It decreased for the defensive phase in post-test. We concluded that 25 training sessions based on core tactical principles and SSCG improved perceptual-cognitive related to decision time and perceptual-motor decision-making skills. Improvement of decision-making time apparently is related to improvement in tactical efficiency of U-12 soccer players.

Analysis of Physiological, Physical, and Tactical Responses in Small-Sided Games in Women’s Soccer: The Effect of Numerical Superiority

Small-sided and conditioned games (SSGs) are pedagogical tools that help in soccer training, being used to solve tactical problems with the specific demands of the game. In this context, this study aimed to compare physical, physiological, and tactical responses in elite women’s soccer in SSGs with numerical equality (3-a-side) and superiority (3-a-side + 1) in the offensive phase. The sample consisted of 16 female athletes participating in official national competitions. Two consecutive days of data collection were conducted, and a 4 min duration series was carried out. The variables analysed were the total distance covered, the distance covered at different speeds, maximum heart rate (HRmáx), mean heart rate, the spatial exploration index, the stretching index, length, width, and LpWratio. The results showed an increase in distance covered at speeds of 7.20–14.29 km/h (m) (effect size: medium) and a decrease in HRmáx (effect size: small) in the numerical superiority. Regarding tactical response, there was a decrease in the spatial exploration index (effect size: large), length (effect size: medium), and stretching index (effect size: large) for games played in the numerical superiority. Thus, it was observed that SSGs with numerical superiority in women’s soccer suggest more clustered, less exploratory, and more positional behaviour of the athletes.

Applying Different Strategies of Task Constraint Manipulation in Small-Sided and Conditioned Games: How Do They Impact Physical and Tactical Demands?

This study aimed to investigate how different strategies of task constraint manipulation impact physical and tactical demands in small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG). Ten recreational U-17 soccer players participated in this study (16.89 ± 0.11 years). We used different strategies of task manipulation to design two 4 vs. 4 SSCG: Structural SSCG and Functional SSCG. In Structural SSCG, pitch format and goal sizes were manipulated, while in Functional SSCG, players were allowed to kick the ball twice and at least 5 passes to shoot at the opponent’s goal. Players participated in four Structural and Functional SSCG, of five minutes duration with a two-minute interval in between. Players’ physical performance and tactical behavior were assessed using the WIMU PROTM inertial device. Structural SSCG stimulated players to cover more distance in sprinting (p = 0.003) and high-speed running (p < 0.001). Regarding tactical behavior, Structural SSCG stimulated players to explore game space better (p < 0.001). Moreover, Functional SSCG stimulated players to be closer to the ball, decreasing the effective playing space (p = 0.008). We conclude that these strategies of task constraint manipulation impact physical and tactical demands of the game.

How the Number of Players and Floaters’ Positioning Changes the Offensive Performance during Futsal Small-Sided and Conditioned Games

This study aims to analyse the effects of floater positioning within futsal Gk + 3vs3 + Gk and Gk + 2vs2 + Gk small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG) on youth offensive performance on an action per minute per player basis. Three experimental conditions were carried out through the manipulation of floater positioning: floaters off (FO), final line floaters (FLF) and lateral floaters (LF). Thirty male futsal players (U19 age category) participated in the study and played once within each situation in a random order on different days. Offensive performance based on “action per minute per player” was analysed through indirect and external systematic observation. Results showed significant differences between both SSCGs (2vs2 and 3vs3). Specifically, according to the game principles analysed, 3vs3 is associated with higher values of passing and dribbling action to progress towards the goal without beating a defensive line (moderate to large effect size), while 2vs2 is associated with higher values of passing and dribbling actions that beating a defensive line (moderate to very large effect size). In addition, 2vs2 is associated with dribbling and shooting actions to shoot at goal with the lowest level of opposition (moderate effect size). Indeed, whilst the 2vs2 game format seems to promote more 1vs1 situations, the 3vs3 game format encourages more ball possession and collective tactical behaviours. Thus, training tasks intended to improve dribbling and shooting actions should use a smaller number of players whereas tasks intended to improve passing actions for ball possession should include a higher number of players with or without floaters. It seems that the number of players can influence the tactical behaviour of the team. These findings should be considered for the design of futsal training tasks, according to the main objective of the training session. For example, if the coach aims to promote the number of dribbles and shots within a SSCG, 2vs2 SSCG situations should be prioritised.

How football team composition constrains emergent individual and collective tactical behaviours: Effects of player roles in creating different landscapes for shared affordances in small-sided and conditioned games

The aim of the present study was to examine how team composition of players with different roles constrains individual and collective tactical behaviours, and ball possession effectiveness, during competitive 3 vs 3 small-sided and conditioned games (SSCGs) in youth soccer players. Fifteen male players (under 15 yrs, mean age 13.2 ± 1.03 years, mean years of practice: 4.2 ± 1.10 years) from the same club participated in this study. For analysis purposes, on advice from the coaching staff, participants were categorised according to their main team performance role, resulting in sub-samples of 5 defenders (centre-backs = 2 and full- backs = 3), 7 midfielders (central midfielders = 3 and wide midfielders = 4) and 3 attackers (forwards). In order to assess participant tactical behaviours, a notational analysis system was created with four categories: i) team behaviours, ii) individual players’ offensive actions, iii) individual players’ defensive actions, and iv), ball possession effectiveness. Analysis of players’ offensive actions revealed that the team composed only of midfielders revealed a higher frequency of diagonal and vertical passes in relation to the attackers’ team. In offensive individual actions, the attackers’ team revealed more dribbles in relation to the teams of defenders and midfielders. Analysis of ball possession effectiveness revealed that the team of defenders achieved higher values of shots on goal compared to the team of midfielders. These findings exemplified how playing role constrains the emergence of different collective behaviours and individual actions in 3 vs 3 SSCGs.

Tactical rule and pitch size change the physical and technical performance of young soccer players during small-sided games

Abstract The present study examined the effects of small-sided and conditioned games (SSCGs) manipulating tactical rules (ball-possession [BP] vs goal-scoring with goalkeepers [GS]) and pitch size (square [SP] vs rectangular [RP]) on the running performance and technical skills of young soccer players. Ten male soccer players (chronological age: 12.45 ± 0.51 years; body mass: 41.99 ± 7.97 kg; height: 152.85 ± 10.03 cm) were monitored using GPS units during SSCG formats. The distance covered at different running intensities and number of technical actions were used in analyses. SSCG-induced changes in 30 m sprint and CMJ performances were also evaluated. Compared to BP, GS elicited significantly lower distances covered at low intensity running (p=0.003; d=-0.95), more sprints (p=0.050; d=0.67), and longer distances covered in terms of walking (p=0.035; d=2.60) and sprinting (p=0.029; d=0.75); (ii) number of passes (short [p=0.002; d=1.10] and long [p=0.013; d=0.82]) were more frequent during BP than GS games, while RP game format allowed for greater occurrence of long passes (p=0.036; d=0.64) than under the SP condition; (iii) jumping and sprinting performance did not change (p&gt;0.05) using different SSCG formats. In conclusion, GS games demand more sprint running episodes in terms of number and distance covered than BP games. In addition, RP game formats can be used to increase the occurrence of longer passes in young soccer players aged 11-13 years.

Tactical Behaviour of Youth Soccer Players: Differences Depending on Task Constraint Modification, Age and Skill Level.

This study aimed to investigate: i) how Small-Sided and Conditioned Games based on different representation and exaggeration modification strategies, from the Teaching Games for Understanding pedagogical principles, affected team performance and exploratory behaviour; and ii) how teams and players of different ages and skill levels were affected by the use of these different modification strategies. In total, forty-eight youth male soccer players participated in the study (U15, n = 24 mean age = 13.06 ± 1.53 years; U17, n = 24 mean age = 16.89 ± 0.11 years). In both categories, players were organized into three groups according to their tactical efficiency level (Group 01 = High Skilled Players (HSP), Group 02 = Intermediate Skilled Players (ISP), and Group 03 = Low Skilled Players (LSP)). The HSP and LSP groups performed two types of Gk+4vs4+Gk Small-Sided and Conditioned Games (SSCGs) based on different representation and exaggeration modification strategies. The first type of SSCGs was modified by structural constraints (Structural SSCG) and the second type was modified by rule manipulation (Manipulation SSCG). Team performance and exploratory behaviour were analysed through the Offensive Sequences Characterization System and Lag Sequential Analysis, respectively. SSCG modification strategies affected differently tactical performance and exploratory behaviour of teams composed of players of different skill levels. It was found that SSCG modification strategy through rule manipulation provided players and teams with a higher level of difficulty, compromising their performance and inhibiting exploratory behaviour. This information is crucial to practitioners wishing to apply more appropriate pedagogical strategies to improve a specific tactical problem using a player-centred and game-based approach.

Development of Defensive Actions in Small-Sided and Conditioned Games With Offensive Purposes in Futsal.

Based on ecological dynamics approach, non-linear pedagogy (NLP) have emerged with the goal of promoting a holistic approach through the use of small-sided and conditioned games (SSCGs), to optimize specific tactical defensive and offensive behaviors of players. This study analyzed the indirect effects of an intervention program, based on NLP (task design based on tactical principles of attack and numerical advantage of attacking team), in decision-making (DM) and execution (Ex) in defensive technical–tactical actions in U16 futsal. Eight futsal players (U16 years) participated in 12 training sessions, spread over two phases: preintervention and intervention. The Game Performance Evaluation Tool (GPET) instrument was used to analyze the DM and Ex of 2,600 defensive actions measured during competitive matches. Results showed significant improvements in marking actions (to the player with the ball: DM, p = 0.001; Ex, p = 0.001; and to the player without the ball: DM, p = 0.039; Ex, p = 0.046), improvements in blocking actions (DM, p = 0.015), and improvements in help-coverage actions (Ex, p = 0.014). No significant differences were found in the interception and tackling actions. This study has shown evidence that the NLP approach is an appropriate theoretical framework to enhance acquisition of defensive tactical behavior in futsal. However, not all actions improved. Therefore, coaches should design representative tasks to optimally develop technical–tactical training processes based on the phases of futsal game (offensive and defensive) and considering the level of opposition.

Capturing and Quantifying Tactical Behaviors in Small-Sided and Conditioned Games in Soccer: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT Purpose: To systematically describe and analyze the tracking systems, the variables, and the statistical methods used to evaluate the players and teams’ tactical behavior in small-sided and conditioned games (SSCGs). Methods: A search was done in Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scielo databases to identify manuscripts published between 2008 and 2019 that manipulated small-sided and conditioned games (SSCGs) and analyzed tactical behaviors of players and teams. Results: From 349 articles identified, 31 were selected for review. To collect positional data, the global positioning system (GPS), the local position measurement (LPM) system, and TACTO were identified as reliable tracking systems. Twenty-one positional variables were identified to evaluate tactical behaviors, grouped into five main categories: team balance, playing space, width and length of playing space, and interpersonal distance. Tactical behavior patterns were analyzed using approximate entropy, sample entropy, Shannon entropy, and patterns of coordination between players and teams were analyzed using relative phase and running correlation. Discussion: The tracking systems analyzed were reliable but revealed different advantages and disadvantages of their use. Authors should define the use of each tracking system based on their purpose and level of precision required for analysis. A great duplication was observed on the variables used with similar purposes of tactical analysis. The identification of the variables according to their purpose of analysis will allow a better understanding of their use in the future.

Effect of an Inside Floater on Soccer Players Tactical Behaviour in Small Sided and Conditioned Games.

The aim of this study was to verify the effect of an inside floater on soccer players’ tactical behaviour in small-sided and conditioned games (SSCGs). The sample comprised 54 Brazilian top-level academy players. The instrument used to assess players’ tactical behaviour was the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUT-SAT). Tactical behaviour was analysed through the number of tactical actions and the percentage of correct actions regarding the core tactical principles of soccer. Repeated measures test was used to compare tactical behaviour between games (SSCGs) with and without an inside floater. Pearson’s r was used to verify the effect size of the inside floater on tactical behaviour. As for tactical actions, SSCGs with an inside floater displayed significantly lower means for the tactical principles of penetration (2.76 ± 1.63; p < .001), delay (6.11 ± 2.68; p < .018), defensive coverage (1.64 ± 1.14; p < .001) and significantly higher means for the tactical principle of defensive unity (14.98 ± 4.57; p < .032). With respect to the percentage of correct actions, SSCGs with an inside floater displayed significantly lower means for all tactical principles, except for offensive coverage (90.5 ± 18.48; p < 1.000). It was concluded that the inside floater allowed players to modify their behaviour in such a way that they adapted to the constraints imposed by the presence of an inside floater. Furthermore, the inside floater provided more difficulty for players, and thus may be considered an important task constraint to be added in SSCGs.

Influence of limiting the number of ball touches on players’ tactical behaviour and network properties during football small-sided games

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to compare the frequencies of core tactical principles, the percentages of successful tactical principles, and the general network properties of football small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG) with and without the limitation of the number of ball touches. Thirty-six under-15 national level football players participated in this study and performed atotal of 15,067 tactical actions. They performed four SSCG bouts with 4 minutes of passive recovery between each bout, in two experimental conditions: free-play SSCG and two-touch SSCG. Tactical behaviour and performance were analysed using the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer and the Social Network Analysis, was used to measure players’ interactions. Results showed that two-touch SSCG increased the frequency of actions of width and length without the ball (p = 0.001), depth mobility (p = 0.029), concentration (p = 0.001), and defensive unity (p = 0.001). The two-touch format also increased defensive performance (p = 0.005), density (p = 0.001), and clustering coefficient (p = 0.007). Therefore, coaches should adopt the two-touch rule for increasing ball circulation or to reduce the tactical complexity of the task for the defending team.

Changing Rules and Configurations During Soccer Small-Sided and Conditioned Games. How Does It Impact Teams’ Tactical Behavior?

The present study aimed to investigate how team’s tactical behavior varies within and between age categories in different Small-Sided and Conditioned Games’ configurations and conditions. Twenty non-elite youth male soccer players (U15, n = 10, mean age = 13.5 ± 1.2 years; U17, n = 10, mean age = 16.3 ± 0.5 years) were selected. Thirty-six Small-Sided and Conditioned Games (SSCG) were played in both categories, namely three Representative SSCG (R-SSCG), three Maintaining Ball Possession Games (MBPG) and three Progression to Target Games (PTG) performed for each configuration (Gk+3vs3+Gk and Gk+4vs4+Gk). Teams’ tactical behavior was analyzed based on simple and composite performance indicators, as well as through Lag Sequential Analysis. Rules manipulation and SSCG configurations influenced teams’ tactical behavior on both categories, but in different ways. Teams composed by younger players presented greater difficulties in MBPG played in smaller games configuration, while Gk+4vs4+Gk configuration can be used to enhance teams’ tactical performance of younger players in R-SSCG and MBPG conditions. Moreover, increasing rules manipulations appeared to negatively impact on teams’ exploratory behavior. Therefore, practitioners should carefully manipulate key constraints to adapt task demands to players’ age category and training session’s goals in order to enhance tactical performance.

The influence of floaters on players’ tactical behaviour in small-sided and conditioned soccer games

This study examined players’ tactical behaviours based on core tactical principles during small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG) with and without floaters on the sidelines. A total of 24,068 tactical actions performed by 168 Under-17 academy soccer players were assessed using the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUTSAT) across two different SSCG: “Floaters off” (Gk+3 vs. 3+Gk) and “Floaters sidelines” (Gk+3 vs. 3+Gk+2 floaters). Results revealed that players showed different tactical behaviours depending on the SSCG format and playing phase. In “Floaters off” SSCG, players more frequently performed the core tactical principles of concentration during the defensive phase and penetration for the offensive phase of play creating more opportunities for 1 vs. 1 situation. In contrast, in the “Floaters sidelines” SSCG, players made more effective use of playing space (width and length) in the opponent’s half during the offensive phase and limited the space for the opponent by compacting the defence in their own half (defensive unity) due to numerical disadvantage during defensive phase. Findings suggest that the use of floaters (on the sidelines) encourage players to keep ball possession during offensive organisation, as well as promote the team’s defensive stability by decreasing the spaces between teammates during defensive organisation.

Effects of small-sided soccer games on internal and external load and lower limb power: a pilot study in collegiate players

PurposeThe aim of the study was to examine the influence of small-sided and conditioned games (SSG) on the internal load (heart rate [HR] and perceived exertion), external load (Global Positioning System variables), and lower limb power (squat jump [SJ] and countermovement jump [CMJ]).MethodsSix collegiate male soccer players (age 20.3 ± 4.8 years; maximal oxygen uptake 42.9 ± 2.7 ml/kg/min; maximal HR 184.7 bpm) performed three 2-min bouts of 1 vs. 1 and two 3-min bouts of 3 vs. 3 format with a work-to-rest ratio of 1:1.5. Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures tested the effects of bouts and SSG formats on the internal and external load and on the lower limb power.ResultsThe 3rd bout had significantly higher HRaverage and %HRmax values than the 2&lt;sup&gt;nd&lt;/sup&gt; bout (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.027 and &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.026, respectively). The 1st SSG bout presented higher total distance than the 2nd bout (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.007). The comparison among bouts revealed higher values of pace and player load intensity in the 1&lt;sup&gt;st&lt;/sup&gt; bout than in the 2&lt;sup&gt;nd&lt;/sup&gt; one (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.015 and &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.019, respectively). No differences were found in SJ and CMJ among bouts (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.981 and &lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.307, respectively). SSG formats differed for total distance (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.001; &lt;i&gt;ES&lt;/i&gt; = 0.891; longer distance in 3 vs. 3 format), but not for %HRmax (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; = 0.953; &lt;i&gt;ES&lt;/i&gt; = 0.001).ConclusionsPhysiological and physical responses varied during bouts. Nevertheless, small differences between SSG formats were found. SSG bouts did not have significant impact on the lower limb power.

Network analysis in small-sided and conditioned soccer games

The purpose of this article was to investigate the influence of additional players and playing position on the network properties during 2x4 minutes small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG) in soccer. Eighteen&amp;nbsp;young soccer players (age 16.4±0.7 years), six defenders, six midfielders, and six forwards, voluntarily participated in SSCGs with different task conditions (4vs.3, with an additional player inside the pitch, 3vs.3+2, with two support players at the side of the pitch, and 3vs.3, numerical equality). General (density, total links and clustering coefficient) and individual (degree centrality, degree prestige, and page rank) network properties were analyzed using the SocNetV® software. Results showed higher values of density (F=59.354, p=.001), total links (F=40.951, p=.001), and clustering coefficient (F=21.851, p=.001) during the 4vs.3 SSCG. Besides, midfielders showed higher values of degree centrality than defenders and forwards (F=10.669, p=.001). Midfielders and forwards also showed higher values of degree prestige than defenders (F=5.527, p=.005). These results indicate that both task condition and playing position influence the general and individual network properties during SSCGs. For this reason, it is suggested that both task condition and team composition need to be adjusted to the coaches’ purpose for each training session in order to maximize the possibilities of cooperation among the teammates.

The influence of rules manipulation on offensive patterns during small-sided and conditioned games in football

This study analyzed the influence of rules manipulation on offensive patterns in different Small-Sided and Conditioned Games (SSCGs). Fourteen young soccer players (13.82 ± 1.94 years) performed two different SSCG formats (6v6+Gk): Maintenance of Ball Possession Game (MPG) and Progression to the Target Game (PTG). Both games were played on a field 52 m long by 32 m wide. We used the Offensive Sequences Characterization System (OSCS) and SoccerEye software to analyze offensive sequences. For statistical analysis, we used the Mann-Whitney test to compare variables that compose the OSCS between the two SSCGs, while the SDIS-GSEQ software allowed us to detect offensive patterns. We concluded that the rule manipulation of SSCGs influenced changes in teams' offensive patterns, in which they self-organized according to manipulation of key task constraints.

Sports teams as complex adaptive systems: manipulating player numbers shapes behaviours during football small-sided games.

Small-sided and conditioned games (SSCGs) in sport have been modelled as complex adaptive systems. Research has shown that the relative space per player (RSP) formulated in SSCGs can impact on emergent tactical behaviours. In this study we adopted a systems orientation to analyse how different RSP values, obtained through manipulations of player numbers, influenced four measures of interpersonal coordination observed during performance in SSCGs. For this purpose we calculated positional data (GPS 15 Hz) from ten U-15 football players performing in three SSCGs varying in player numbers (3v3, 4v4 and 5v5). Key measures of SSCG system behaviours included values of (1) players’ dispersion, (2) teams’ separateness, (3) coupling strength and time delays between participants’ emerging movements, respectively. Results showed that values of participants’ dispersion increased, but the teams’ separateness remained identical across treatments. Coupling strength and time delay also showed consistent values across SSCGs. These results exemplified how complex adaptive systems, like football teams, can harness inherent degeneracy to maintain similar team spatial–temporal relations with opponents through changes in inter-individual coordination modes (i.e., players’ dispersion). The results imply that different team behaviours might emerge at different ratios of field dimension/player numbers. Therefore, sport pedagogists should carefully evaluate the effects of changing RSP in SSCGs as a way of promoting increased or decreased pressure on players.

Field dimension and skill level constrain team tactical behaviours in small-sided and conditioned games in football

This study analysed the influence of field dimension and players’ skill level on collective tactical behaviours during small-sided and conditioned games (SSCGs). Positioning and displacement data were collected using global positioning systems (15 Hz) during SSCGs (Gk+4 v. 4+Gk) played by two groups of participants (NLP- national-level and RLP-regional-level players) on different field dimensions (small: 36.8 × 23.8 m; intermediate: 47.3 × 30.6 and large: 57.8 × 37.4 m). Team tactical performance was assessed through established dynamic team variables (effective playing space, playing length per width ratio and team separateness) and nonlinear signal processing techniques (sample entropy of distances to nearest opponents and the teams’ centroids’ mutual information). Results showed that the effective playing space and team separateness increased significantly with pitch size regardless of participant skill level (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.78 and P < 0.001, η2 = 0.65, respectively). Playing length per width ratio increased with pitch size for the NLP but was maintained at a relatively constant level by RLP across treatments indicating different playing shapes. There was significantly more irregularity in distances to nearest opponents for the NLP in small (P = 0.003) and intermediate fields (P = 0.01). Findings suggest that tactical behaviours in SSCGs are constrained by field size and skill level, which need to be considered by coaches when designing training practices.

How Small-Sided and Conditioned Games Enhance Acquisition of Movement and Decision-Making Skills

This article summarizes research from an ecological dynamics program of work on team sports exemplifying how small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG) can enhance skill acquisition and decision-making processes during training. The data highlighted show how constraints of different SSCG can facilitate emergence of continuous interpersonal coordination tendencies during practice to benefit team game players.