The influence of offside rule and pitch sizes on the youth soccer players' small-sided games external loads

Locomotor and Physiological Demands of Small-Sided Soccer Games in Wildcard and Regular Players: Effects of Goalkeepers and Type of Wildcard

BACKGROUND

Small-sided games (SSGs) are frequent training drills in soccer. This study investigated whether type of game (ie, with/without goalkeepers) and wildcard ( without vs internal vs external wildcard) impact the physiological (heartrate [HR]) and locomotor (total distance [TD] covered) demands in regular and wildcard players and to evaluate between-player and within-player variability.

HYPOTHESIS

Demands are influenced by wildcard and game type, with higher demand (distance covered at high intensities and sprint speed) in regular players and with higher variability in SSG with wildcard players.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive/comparative study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4.

METHODS

Twenty-four soccer players completed 6 SSG as 3 versus 3 without (NG) or with (GK) goalkeepers, and with internal (NG+IW and GK+IW) and external (NG+EW and GK+EW) wildcard. Average HR (HRavg), rate of perceived exertion, and locomotor demands (TD, medium [MID = 7.0-13.9 km h-1], high [HID = 14.0-20.9 km h-1] and sprint [SPD >21.0 km h-1] distance and peak speed [PS]) were registered.

RESULTS

The inclusion of GK and internal wildcard led to decreased HRavg and TD in regular players. Wildcard players positioned internally exhibited higher TD, PS, and lower HRavg than externally positioned wildcards. Regular players demonstrated higher TD, PS, MID, HID, HRavg and time spent in Z3 (>90% HRmax) compared with wildcard players in SSG played with external wildcard. Regular and wildcard players displayed great between- and within-player variability in high-intensity metrics.

CONCLUSION

Specific game type and wildcard inclusion impact the physiological and locomotor demands in SSG, with variations observed between regular and wildcard players.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study provides comprehensive information on the physiological and locomotor demands of SSG depending on the inclusion and position of goalkeepers and wildcards, which can be useful for strength and conditioning coaches when designing specific training tasks, individualizing training load and applying return-to-play programs.

Effects of variable intensity and constant intensity flywheel resistance training programs on specific soccer players' performance

Resistance training programs play a crucial role in optimizing soccer performance. The aim of this study is to compare performance outcomes in sport-specific tasks after implementing two different flywheel resistance training (FRT) programs: variable intensity (VI) and constant intensity (CI). Seventeen (n = 17) amateur footballers were divided into VI and CI groups with the same training volume. For the VI group, a decrease in inertial load was implemented every four sessions, whereas the CI group maintained a constant load during the entire program. After different familiarization sessions and testing (sprint, change of direction, jump, one-repetition maximum and flywheel strength variables), ten sessions of FRT were performed over 5 weeks. Both groups showed similar improvements in the one-repetition maximum (p < 0.01) but the CI group had significant improvements in the 10-m sprint (p = 0.04; ES = 0.72), emphasizing the potential benefits of medium inertial loads to maximize power and specificity in sport tasks. However, no significant differences were observed in the countermovement jump, change of direction and 30-m sprint, possibly attributed to neuromuscular fatigue from a high-volume training schedule and friendly matches. The study highlights the importance of considering training load distribution in FRT programs. The findings emphasize the need for complementary training to maximize the jump and change of direction abilities and caution against high-volume training and friendly match scenarios. In conclusion, FRT programs, whether varying in intensity or not, can yield medium-term performance improvements for soccer players.

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

Introduction

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of space and number of players manipulation on the external and internal load demands of youth futsal athletes.

Methods

Forty-two male U17 players (age = 15.62 ± 0.58 years) from three futsal teams participated in the study. In this cross-sectional study that lasted 8-week, the player's sample practiced six futsal tasks (T1-T6) and a futsal game played under the official rules (T7). From T1-T6, two task constraints were manipulated: (i) the number of players and, (ii) the space of play. The WIMU PRO™ Ultra-Wideband (UWB) tracking system was used to measure the external and internal load during the futsal tasks. External load was quantified using kinematic and mechanical variables extracted from positional data and, the internal load was quantified using Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). Repeated measures ANOVA was used for comparison purposes.

Results

In general, the results showed high external (total distance, distance 18.1-21, above 21 Km/h, and high intensity acceleration and deceleration, p < 0.001) and internal load (heart rate average and rating of perceived exertion, p < 0.001) in the tasks with low number of players and high area. In relation to the match, the tasks with small relative area per player (GK + 2 vs. 2 + GK and GK + 3 vs. 3 + GK in 20 × 20 m) promoted low external load.

Conclusion

It was concluded that increasing the relative area by reducing the number of players involved in the tasks in the form of small-sided games (GK + 2 vs. 2 + GK and GK + 3 vs. 3 + GK), in relation to the futsal game (GK + 4 vs. 4 + GK), can be considered a pedagogical strategy to increase the external and internal load demands of young futsal players.

Effect of Rule Modifications on Kinematic Parameters Using Maturity Stage as a Moderating Variable in U-10 Football Players

The aim of the present study was to analyse the effects of regulatory modifications in competitive situations on cinematic variables, considering maturity stage as a moderating factor, in youth football players. A quasi-experimental study was conducted in which 45 players with a mean age of 9.47 ± 0.54 participated. The independent variable analysed was the modification of rules (playing time, scoring, and specific rules). The dependent variables analysed were cinematic variables. These variables were recorded with WimuTM. The maturity stage was considered a moderating factor in this effect. The main results indicate that the modified competition reduced the total distance covered, maximum acceleration speed, and distance covered in acceleration and deceleration in different speed zones. In addition, the maturity stage was found to moderate the effect of the intervention on the total distance covered, distance covered by accelerating in zone 3, and distance covered by decelerating in zone 3. Thus, the proposed modification appeared to reduce the physical demand for competition. Furthermore, it reduced the differences between players with early maturational development and those with late maturational development.

The effects of individual and collective variability on youth players' movement behaviours during football small-sided games

This study aimed to identify the effects of playing with additional individual (IND), collective (COL) or individual-collective (MIX) variability on youth football players' performance during small-sided games. Twelve youth football players (U17, age = 16.1 ± 0.9 years) played a goalkeeper (Gk) + 6 outfield players a-side (Gk+6vs6+Gk) under four conditions: (i) playing in the 1:2:3:1 formation without any other rule (control condition, CTR); (ii) 1:2:3:1 formation with additional body restrictions changing each minute (individual condition, IND); (iii) using different tactical formations modified each minute (collective condition, COL; (iv) using different tactical formations and body restrictions varied each minute (individual-collective condition, MIX). Generally, there were similar behaviours across conditions, especially for the CTR and the MIX. Nevertheless, the CTR condition presented moderate higher values in the lateral direction (p ≤ .05), while also higher longitudinal synchronization compared to the IND (p ≤ .05). The COL condition presented higher spatial exploration (p ≤ .05), which may justify the higher values for distance covered while running and sprinting (p ≤ .05). Overall, coaches may use the IND condition to refine players' technical actions, while the COL condition to develop players' ability to perform in different playing positions and team structures.

Effect of Small-Sided Games with and without the Offside Rule on Young Soccer Players: Reliability of Physiological Demands

This study aimed to compare the physiological demand between three vs. three small-sided games (SSGs) with (3vs.3_WITH) and without (3vs.3_WITHOUT) the offside rule, as well as the within- and between-session reliability of this demand. Twenty-four U-17 soccer athletes performed various three vs. three (plus goalkeepers) SSGs with and without the offside rule. The data collection was performed within an eight-week period. Athletes' heart rate was monitored during the SSG. The variables analyzed were the percentage mean heart rate (HR_MEAN%) and the percentage peak heart rate (HR_PEAK%). For the analysis of within-session reliability, the mean value of the first two and last two SSG bouts performed within one day were used. The between-session reliability was calculated using the mean value of the four SSG bouts of each SSG type performed on two different days. In both SSGs, the values for reliability were significant and were classified as moderate to excellent. There were no significant differences in the physiological demand among SSG types. We concluded that the offside rule does not influence the physiological demand in a three vs. three SSG and the HR_MEAN% and HR_PEAK% present moderate to excellent reliability in a three vs. three SSG with and without the offside rule.

Effects of mental fatigue on technical performance in soccer players: A systematic review with a meta-analysis

Background

Mental fatigue largely influences technical performance in soccer, including offensive and defensive skills. However, these effects on technical performance among the soccer players have not yet been aggregated to be assessed systematically.

Objective

The purpose of the review was to evaluate the impact of mental fatigue on soccer players' overall technical skills.

Methods

Drawing on Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost (CENTRAL and SPORTDicus), an in-depth search was conducted. PICOS established the eligibility criteria to select the studies as follows: (i) population-healthy soccer players; (ii) intervention-involving any mental-fatigue-prompted protocol; (iii) comparison-control conditions (active or passive without inducing mental fatigue); (iv) outcomes-technical performance (offensive and defensive skill); and (v) study design-randomized controlled trials.

Results

A total of eight studies were qualified for inclusion in the systematic literature review. Overall, the results indicate that mental fatigue had significant effects on technical skills, including offensive and defensive skills. Specifically, there were significant effects on errors (ES = 0.977; p < 0.001), number of tackles (ES = -0.739; p = 0.005), and the percentage of successful tackles (ES = -0.628; p = 0.022), while there were no significant effects on the number of passes (ES = 0.240; p = 0.328), the percentage of accurate passing (ES = -0.008; p = 0.985), and the number of successful passes (ES = -0.322; p = 0.217).

Conclusion

Overall, a significant effect of mental fatigue on the technical performance (e.g., tackles and errors) of soccer players was detected, while no significant effects on passing skills were detected. Future studies may consider investigating technical performance together with other important results (e.g., decision-making skills or internal load).

Systematic Review Registration

https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-2-0008/, Inplasy protocol 202220008.

Relationships between Players’ Physical Performance and Small-Sided Game External Responses in a Youth Soccer Training Context

The aim of this study was twofold: 1) To compare players’ physical performance and small-sided game (SSG) external responses among three young soccer age categories (i.e., under 14 (U14), under 16 (U16), and under 18 (U18)); and 2) to examine their relationships among physical performance and SSG external responses in each age category. Players’ physical performance was evaluated via several tests and external responses were collected during a four vs. four plus goalkeepers SSG. Main results showed that while older players presented better linear straight sprinting tests (LSSTs) (U18 and U16 vs. U14, p < 0.01), repeated sprint ability (RSA) (U18 vs. U16 and U14 p < 0.01), and change of direction ability (CODA) (U18 and U16 vs. U14, p < 0.01, ES = 2.34−2.72) performances, these differences were not consistent with their SSG external responses (U16 vs. U14, p < 0.01; U18 vs. U16, p < 0.01). Conversely, higher number of associations between players’ physical performance and SSG external responses were found in younger players in comparison to the older ones. These results suggest that while greater physical performance in younger players (i.e., U14) could allow them to exhibit higher external responses, greater physical performance did not influence older players’ (i.e., U18) SSG external responses.