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

Abstract

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.

Effects of Small-Sided Game Interventions on the Technical Execution and Tactical Behaviors of Young and Youth Team Sports Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Moreover, none of the selected studies introduced non-arbitrary pedagogical strategies to control and progress the training contents in the intervention group. Adjusting the task complexity to players' current levels is expected to facilitate the learning (Machado et al, 2020). Therefore, the absence of a control condition for the training process might have reduced the expected impact of the longest intervention programs on players' technical execution.…”

Contrasting Learning Psychology Theories Applied to the Teaching-Learning-Training Process of Tactics in Soccer

“…For instance, a game could be designed so that players strike on goals or change them to end-zones where players have to pass the ball. These designs can make it more or less complex and/or difficult to perform in that exercise-game and help players depending on the needs of learning ( Machado et al, 2020a , b ). In addition to the importance of coherent conditions, the teaching approach should emphasize that the lessons that have to be pulled out of the play from the situations-problems will help the player take ownership of the content that can help him/herself make better decisions.…”

“…The fewer possibilities, the more difficult it gets for players to perform actions that will directly help their team reach an objective (e.g., score a point; see Machado et al, 2019b ). Together with complexity, the difficulty of a game will have an influence on the response to its situations-problems ( Machado et al, 2020b ). Naturally, the more competent players are, the better they should manage the situations and provide an advantage to their team.…”

Designing small-sided games for counter-attack training in youth soccer

“…Based on the literature, it is hypothesised that including the time pressure will momentarily reduce the quality of the decision-making and technical efficacy of the players as it might increase the complexity of the task – which is expected to impair the performance acutely. 23,27 Also, it is expected that the time pressure will increase the teams’ length during the game, as this constraint is supposed to lead to a more vertical playing strategy, which is in line with counter-attack actions in soccer. 10 Finally, defending teams are expected to adopt a zonal defensive strategy when in numerical inferiority, which would require the offensive team to increase their width.…”