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

Abstract

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.

Developing the Physical Performance in Youth Soccer: Short-Term Effect of Dynamic–Ecological versus Traditional Training Approach for Sub-Elite U13 Players—An Ecological Exploratory Cluster Randomised Trial

“…Dynamic–interactive scenarios, guided discovery, and free exploration tasks require young soccer players to maintain high exercise intensities, which can highly impact players’ physical efficiency. Considering the outcomes of this study and the sample composed of young soccer players, it may be affirmed that the ecological approach significantly increases specific functional motor abilities needed in soccer, such as explosive strength, acceleration, and agility, which are relevant factors for soccer performance [ 28 ] Furthermore, the coaching style and method choice impact the process of learning a sport’s technique and influence motor skills [ 15 , 16 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. This aspect, rarely emphasised in a sport’s technique, but explored in the literature, emerges from studies.…”

“…Furthermore, the dynamic–ecological approach often results in a better transfer of skills to actual performance settings than conventional training methods [ 21 ]. Thus, this approach is relevant in young soccer player training because it requires environment exploration and problem-solving motor/cognitive activity, increases motor engagement time, and allows for high exercise intensity [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. For this reason, it has been deeply adopted in recent years to acquire more versatile motor skills, especially in youth soccer [ 15 , 16 ].…”

T-Pattern Detection and Analysis of Football Players’ Tactical and Technical Defensive Behaviour Interactions: Insights for Training and Coaching Team Coordination

“…However, there are many behaviours that an individual player can perform in football, but there are also too many combinations of behaviours among players. Also, it seems relevant for practice weighting how well an action is performed ( Pizarro et al, 2020 ). Besides, most researchers choose not to incorporate all the complexity because it is likely that the results would not have a coherent interpretation or interpretation would not be possible.…”

Factors determining the structure of sports training of a student futsal team

“…Futsal is a favorite sport for students and is included in the competition program of higher education institutions. In the process of preparing a team for university competitions, it is quite difficult for the coach of the national futsal team to clearly regulate the training load in the process of performing game exercises [1,2,3], because the players of the national team have different ages, training and individual characteristics. The most rational approach is to structure the parameters of the load during the whole period of study in a higher education institution, which ensures a gradual improvement of the sports form of the player and the team as a whole [4].…”