Network analysis and tactical behaviour in soccer small-sided and conditioned games: influence of absolute and relative playing areas on different age categories

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to compare the effect of manipulating the absolute and relative area of SSCG on players’ behaviour. 36 players were selected from the U-13 and U-14 category. The SSCG were played in three different formats: 3 vs. 3 (36 × 27 m, 162 m²), 3 vs. 3 + 1 (36 × 27 m, 139 m²), and 3 vs. 3 + 1 large (40 × 29 m, 162 m²). Tactical behaviour and network properties were assessed using the FUT-SAT and the Social Network Analysis, respectively. A two-way ANOVA was used to compare the dependent variables between the different SSCG and ages. Results showed that U-14 players performed more actions of offensive coverage (p = 0.01; small-to-medium effect) and presented a lower dispersion of the eigenvector centrality (p = 0.002; small effect). Moreover, increases in the relative playing area induced an increase of offensive coverage actions (p = 0.01; medium effect). The simultaneous reduction of absolute and relative playing area induced a higher frequency of offensive unity (p = 0.02; medium effect), increased the level of interaction between players (p = 0.001; large effect). We conclude that, for young players, U-13 and U-14 category, it is important to reduce the area of SSCG during training sessions to increase tactical performance.

KEYWORDS:

• Football
• performance analysis
• task constraints
• sports training

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais