Abstract
Small-sided games are used for the training of soccer athletes because they replicate the physical and technical demands in a game-related context. Different game configurations are possible, such as differences in the number of players, i.e., 3vs.3 or 4vs.4. However, unbalanced situations are common during a competition, but have been little studied in small-sided games. This study compared the physical demands of 3vs.3, 4vs.3 (additional player in the attacking team) and 3vs.3+2 (two supporting players around the field). Eighteen young male soccer players participated in the study. Data were obtained with a 15-Hz GPS unit equipped with a 100-Hz triaxial accelerometer. Thirty-six small-sided games were observed and each session consisted of two 4-minute small-sided games and 4 minutes of passive rest. The Shapiro-Wilk normality test, one-way ANOVA for repeated measures and paired t-test were used to analyze the data. A reduction in physical demands was observed for small-sided games performed in unbalanced situations (4vs.3), including a shorter total distance covered, distance covered at higher intensities, and acceleration demands. Similar results were observed for additional players compared to regular players. In conclusion, the presence of additional players changed the physical demands of soccer players. This result permits coaches to adjust training configurations to their intentions during each session.
Key words:
Physical education and training; Soccer; Task performance and analysis
