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

Abstract

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.

Exploring the Effects of Tasks with Different Decision-Making Levels on Ball Control, Passing Performance, and External Load in Youth Football

“…For this purpose, coaches may change the boundary conditions during SSGs. For example, Práxedes, Moreno, Gil-Arias, Claver, and Del Villar [36], Machado, Barreira, Teoldo, Travassos, Júnior, Santos, and Scaglia [56], and Pizarro et al [57] revealed improvements in performances in passing DM and execution in the low-difficulty/DM scenarios (i.e., numerically unbalanced tasks or during SSGs with a lower number of players). Apart from variations in the number of players during SSGs, coaches often vary the level of task DM by adopting more prescriptive and repetitive passes or tasks without opposition [7,40].…”

Space and players' number constrains the external and internal load demands in youth futsal

“…Understanding and quantifying external and internal load demands in futsal provides important information for coaches and may be useful in designing appropriate training programs ( 17 ). For instance, Pizarro et al ( 18 ) analyzed the effects of number of players and floater position on offensive performance during small-sided games (SSGs) in U19 male futsal players. The study revealed notable distinctions between 2 vs. 2 and 3 vs. 3, highlighting the impact of player numbers on team tactical behavior.…”

Study of Body Composition and Motor Skills of Futsal Athletes of Different Competitive Levels

“…Futsal is an indoor sport played by five players on each team and ruled internationally by FIFA; according to this organization, there are approximately 12 million players worldwide. Despite being a more dynamic sport, it is considered a variant of football due to its greater intensity [1], requiring athletes to quickly adapt their actions during the game to their team and opponents in less time and space [2]. This sport requires movement in various directions, as well as accelerations, decelerations, and intense direction changes, with an average of around 670 of these actions being observed during the match [3].…”