No abstract

This study investigated the test-retest reliability in both within and between-session reliability of commonly adopted tactical measures in small-sided games. GPS-based and observational tactical variables from three instruments were collected from a 4 versus 4 small-sided game played by 16 U-17 elite players. The games were played three times in the same training session (within-session reliability) and repeated after 1 week (between-session reliability). The reliability of the data was analyzed by calculating the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) for all dependent variables. Results showed good-to-excellent reliability and a low error for GPS-based tactical variables, mainly the width and length positioning (ICC  > 0.9, SEM < 10%, p < 0.05). Observational variables showed poor-to-moderate reliability, except the offensive performance measured by the FUT-SAT in the between-session analysis. It is concluded that GPS-based tactical variables show acceptable reliability and might be used for talent identification and training outputs assessment in soccer. The variability inherent to small-sided games is associated with both the open nature of the task and poor measurement quality. Increasing the quality of the instruments will likely provide a better view of the actual variability of this training tool.

The present study aimed to test different designs of counter-attacking training on tactical behaviour by manipulating the number of players and time pressure (limitation on the duration of the players’ offensive action). Specifically, we compared the influence of time pressure and numerical superiority (through an additional player) on the players’ performance and tactical behaviour in small-sided games (SSGs). Forty under-17 soccer athletes participated in the study. The athletes performed 4 SSGs in the following configurations: numerical equality and time pressure (GR-4  ×  4-GR – TP); numerical equality and no time pressure (GR-4  ×  4-GR – NTP); numerical superiority and time pressure (GR-5  ×  4-GR – TP) and numerical superiority and no time pressure (GR-5  ×  4-GR – NTP). Tactical performance was evaluated using the Game Performance Evaluation Tool (GPET), and tactical behaviour using positional data measured by the Global Positioning System. The statistical analysis was performed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. There was a better tactical performance in decision-making (0.669  ±  0.135, p  =  .02 and r  =  .27) and execution (0.602  ±  0.134, p  =  .002 and r  =  .44) of technical-tactical actions in the SSG without the time pressure rule. Furthermore, the space exploration index showed lower values (5.634  ±  0.604, p  =  .007 and r  =  .32) in games with time pressure than in games without this rule, and there were no significant differences for player length and width behaviour between protocols. It is concluded that the time pressure rule reduces the exploratory behaviour of the players. Understanding these effects allows coaches to plan better training sessions that address the contents of counter-attacks in SSG.

This study compared the influence of changing floaters’ rules on player positioning in small-sided games (SSG) played by different age groups. A total of 48 youth soccer players (24 U-13 and 24 U-14) took part in the study, playing three different SSGs: regular 3vs3, 1-floater condition (one floater playing for both teams), and 2-floater condition (one floater per team, with alternate participation). Positional data were collected by 5 Hz GPS devices, generating individual (spatial exploration index) and collective (team’s length, width, length per width ratio, and stretching index) positional variables. The results revealed that the 2-floater format significantly reduced the length (p = 0.001), and both formats with floaters increased the width (p < 0.001). Also, the 1-floater format presented the lowest stretching index (p < 0.001). Concerning age-group differences, older players presented higher values of length (p < 0.001), length per width ratio (p < 0.001), and spatial exploration index (p < 0.001) than their younger counterparts. The 2-floater SSG format is a more facilitated and simplified version of numerically unbalanced SSGs, which might be considered by coaches when designing tasks adjusted to the level of the athletes.

Recently developed technological approaches using positional data and network analysis were adopted in this study to investigate the existence of drops in tactical performance from the first to the second half of official matches in two different age groups. Fifty outfield players from U-17 ( n = 25) and U-20 ( n = 25) youth academies were monitored over the 2020 competitive season. Players’ positional data were collected by GPS devices, and all matches were recorded for adoption of the Social Network Analysis approach. The individual and collective performances were monitored for both halves of the matches and compared between age group and match period using a mixed two-way ANOVA. Results indicated the absence of drops in collective tactical performance over the halves, although, on the individual scale, players reduced the spatial exploration from the first half to the second half. Older players presented higher density, LPWRatio and lower spatial exploration than younger players. Teams showed stable collective performance within the match, although drops in individual tactical performance were observed and were not age-dependent. Finally, older players tended to present a higher individual and collective performance.