Effects of the players’ level and age group category on positional tactical behaviour during 7- and 8-a-side football youth games

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to explore the effects of players’ level and age group on positional tactical behaviour during 7- and 8-a-side football games. A total of 280 youth players from 11 Spanish under 12 football teams participated in 22 games. The players’ positional data were gathered and several pitch position-derived variables were computed for the team in possession. The level of the players (i.e. regional vs. local), age group (under 11 vs. under 12) and game format were used as factors. The results showed that most skilled and older players were more efficient in covering the available space in both game scenarios while in the offensive phase, what may suggest higher tactical awareness. These findings show that players may face different tactical problems during 7- and 8-a-side formats promoting adaptations in their dynamical positioning. Overall, specific features of these factors need to be considered to better design football learning programmes.

KEYWORDS:

• Tactical awareness
• positional data
• learning environment
• youth competition
• youth development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Cátedra Real Madrid - Universidad Europea de Madrid, grant number [2017/RM23].