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Physical and technical comparisons between various-sided games within professional soccer.
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|September 12, 2013
Summary
Small-sided games (SSGs) in soccer increase playing speed but reduce high-intensity efforts compared to larger formats. Different sided games show distinct physical and technical demands, with reliable outcomes for training periodization.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Soccer Performance Analysis
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Soccer training commonly utilizes various small-sided games (SSGs) to enhance player development.
- Understanding the specific physical and technical demands of different SSG formats is crucial for effective periodization.
- Previous research has not comprehensively compared the physical and technical outputs across a spectrum of SSG sizes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the technical activity and physical movement characteristics of small-, medium-, and large-sided games (SSGs, MSGs, LSGs) in professional soccer.
- To assess the test-retest reliability of these different-sided games.
- To provide data to inform the integration of SSGs into structured weekly training programs.
Main Methods:
- Ten elite male soccer players participated in the study.
- Players performed SSGs (4v4), MSGs (5v5 to 8v8), and LSGs (9v9 to 11v11), each lasting 3x5 minutes.
- Technical actions (passes, dribbles, shots, headers) and physical movements (speed, high-intensity efforts, sprints) were recorded and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Significant physical differences (p<0.05) were observed across SSGs, MSGs, and LSGs for most measured variables.
- SSGs resulted in significantly faster playing speed (150.5 m.min⁻¹) compared to MSGs (108.3 m.min⁻¹) and LSGs (120.4 m.min⁻¹) (p<0.01).
- LSGs elicited significantly more repeated high-intensity efforts, high-intensity running, and sprint distance compared to SSGs (p<0.01).
- Significant differences (p<0.05) in technical demands (passes, dribbles, shots, headers) were found between the game formats.
- High test-retest reliability (ICC=0.99) was achieved when maintaining consistent game-sidedness, pitch size, and possession rules.
Conclusions:
- Different-sided games impose distinct physical and technical loads on elite soccer players.
- SSGs promote higher playing speed, while LSGs better replicate the high-intensity demands of match play.
- The high reliability of these SSGs supports their use in structured, periodized training schedules for soccer.
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