Can match play kicking and physical performance outcomes be replicated in an Australian football small-sided game?

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated if the technical and physical match performance outcomes can be replicated in a 5v6 small-sided game (SSG). Methods: Sixteen youth Australian Football (AF) players (mean ± SD; age 16.5 ± 1.0 years, height 179.1 ± 8.0 cm, weight 69.5 ± 9.5 kg) were randomly recruited. Participants were assessed in the SSG during the week prior to the assessed match play. The technical variables assessed were kicking proficiency, number of kicks executed and the amount of time each player had with the ball before kick execution (i.e., under 2s, 2-4s, over 4s). The physical variables assessed were odometer, meters travelled per minute, maximum velocity and percentage of high intensity running. Results: The results suggest kicking proficiency, the number of kicks executed, meters travelled per minute and percentage of high intensity running were all higher in the SSG than during match play. Furthermore, the SSG had less technical variability in comparison to match play. During match play, players had less time affordance to execute a kick and achieved higher maximum running velocities than during the SSG. Conclusion: This research provides coaches with greater insights into the technical and physical performance demands of match play.

Profiling the kicking and handballing accuracy of female Australian football players across five competition levels

“…Therefore, as the skills tests used lack some level of representativeness, generalisability regarding the findings from this study may be limited [34]. Recent research has been published on new AF kicking tests aimed to capture more representative tasks [35,36] and using small-sided games [37]; however, to the author's knowledge, these have yet to be conducted in female players or designed with constraints specific to the female game. This offers an enticing platform for future research by sport scientists and researchers to incorporate representative learning designs [34], thereby extending our findings.…”

Future Directions and Considerations for Talent Identification in Australian Football

“…Coaches; however, should be mindful of how the constraints manipulated in these games compare to match play. When comparing an Australian football 5v6 small-sided game to Australian football match play, small-sided games have been shown to produce higher kicking proficiency, number of kicks executed, meters traveled per minute and percentage of high intensity running (Bonney et al, 2020b). In comparison, players had less time affordance to execute a kick and achieve higher maximum running velocities during match play (Bonney et al, 2020b).…”

“…When comparing an Australian football 5v6 small-sided game to Australian football match play, small-sided games have been shown to produce higher kicking proficiency, number of kicks executed, meters traveled per minute and percentage of high intensity running (Bonney et al, 2020b). In comparison, players had less time affordance to execute a kick and achieve higher maximum running velocities during match play (Bonney et al, 2020b). In soccer, researchers have found match play to produce greater player total distance covered per minute, total number of duels and lost ball possessions (Dellal et al, 2012).…”

Kick proficiency and skill adaptability increase from an Australian football small-sided game intervention

“…Contemporary Australian football research has provided greater insights into training constructs in an attempt to better prepare players for match-play conditions (6)(7)(8). In particular, exposing players to decision-making interventions has been suggested to improve player performance.…”