Different pitch configurations constrain the external and internal loads of young professional soccer players during transition games

Different sizes of position games and official matches in youth professional soccer player

The objectives of this study were to compare the external load of position games and matches in soccer players and to assess the effect of different pitch sizes on position games in relation to competition. Twenty-five players (age: 21.9 ± 1.9 years; height: 177.9 ± 5.2 cm; weight: 75.5 ± 4.8 kg) were evaluated during 37 official matches and 18 position games classified according to their pitch sizes: Small, Medium and Large (50.8 ± 6.6 m2, 80.5 ± 4.6 m2 and 115.9 ± 25.2 m2 relative area per player, respectively). Using a GPS system, total distance (DC), DC > 21 km · h-1, peak speed, and maximal accelerations and decelerations lower and higher than 3 m · s-2 (Acc<3; Acc>3; Dec<3 and Dec>3, respectively) were recorded. Mixed model analyses were used to compare the effects of the game condition and of space dimensions on the dependent parameters. During the position games, lower values of DC, DC > 21 km · h-1, peak speed, Acc<3, Dec<3, maximal accelerations and maximal decelerations were reported than in matches. Position games showed higher values than matches for the Acc>3 and Dec>3. All analysed variables reached statistical significance (all p < 0.001). Small, Medium and Large position games significantly achieved lower DC > 21 km · h-1, peak speed, Acc<3, Dec<3, maximal accelerations and maximal decelerations, but significantly higher Acc>3 and Dec>3 (all p < 0.05) than matches. The data showed that position games of 9 vs. 9 + 2 with a relative area per player ≤ 115.9 m2 present a different external load than matches.

Assessing Individual Running Demands in Position Games: A Comparison Between Official Matches and Different Task Sizes in Young Professional Soccer Players

The objectives of this study were to compare external loads between matches and position games based on player roles and to evaluate the load disparities between matches and different position games, individually considering each position. Twenty-five players (age: 21.9 ± 1.9 years; height: 177.9 ± 5.2 cm; weight: 75.5 ± 4.8 kg) were evaluated during 37 official matches and 18 position games classified according to their pitch sizes: small, medium, and large (50.8 ± 6.6 m2, 80.5 ± 4.6 m2, and 115.9 ± 25.2 m2 relative area per player, respectively). Players were categorized as: central defenders (CD), fullbacks (FB), defensive midfielders (CM), offensive midfielders (OM), wide midfielders (WM), and forwards (F). Using GPS, various metrics were recorded: distance covered (DC), DC > 21 km·h-1, peak speed, maximum accelerations and decelerations, and lower and higher than 3 m·s-2 (Acc<3; Acc>3; Dec<3; and Dec>3, respectively). Variables were normalized per minute (except peak speed, maximum accelerations, and decelerations). In all positions, matches consistently exhibited higher DC > 21 km·h-1 (p < 0.01), peak speed (p < 0.01), ACC<3 (p ≤ 0.01), DEC<3 (p < 0.01), and maximum accelerations and decelerations (p < 0.01). Small and large formats showed the same disparities across all positions (p < 0.05), whereas in medium position games, this trend was observed exclusively among FB and F (p < 0.05). Position games displayed greater ACC>3 and DEC>3 than matches for certain player positions, but these depended on the size of the drill (p < 0.05). Position games present different external loads than matches, depending on the players' positions and the size of these tasks.

Influence of the Number of Players on the Load of Soccer Players During Transition Games

The aims of this study were to determine the effect of different compositions in transition games (TGs) on the load of soccer players and to evaluate their performance in physical tests. Using a GPS system, 18 players were monitored during: 3vs2, 2vs1 and 1vs1. Distance covered (DC), DC 18-20.9 km·h-1, 21-23.9 km·h-1,>24 km·h-1, peak speed, accelerations (Acc) and decelerations (Dec)>1.0 m·s-2 and>2.5 m·s-2 and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded. Before and after each TG, countermovement-jump (CMJ), 15- (S15) and 30 m (S30) speed tests were assessed. TG3vs2 showed greater DC and Dec>1.0 m·s-2 than TG2vs1, and DC, DC 18.0-23.9 km·h-1, Acc>1.0 m·s-2 and Dec>2.5 m·s-2 than TG1vs1 (p<0.01). TG2vs1 achieved higher DC, DC 18.0-23.9 km·h-1, and Acc>2.5 m·s-2 (p<0.01) but lower peak speed (p=0.02) and RPE (p=0.02) than TG1vs1. Post-intervention, TG1vs1 showed lower CMJ and higher S15 (p=0.02), while TG3vs2, showed improvements in CMJ (p<0.01). The three tasks showed large variations for DC>24 km·h-1, Acc>1.0 m·s-2, Dec>1.0 m·s-2 and Dec>2.5 m·s-2. The load of TGs is sensitive to their player composition.

Analysis of Differences in Running Demands between Official Matches and Transition Games of Young Professional Soccer Players according to the Playing Position

The aim of this study was to compare the running demands of transition games (TGs) and official matches, analysing their requirements according to the performance of each position. An observational design was used to examine the activity of 20 soccer players during official matches and TGs. GPS technology was used to monitor the total distance covered (DC), distance at speeds between 14-17.9 km•h-1, 18-21 km•h-1, and above 21 km•h-1, peak speed, accelerations and decelerations above 2.5 m•s-2, and Player Load for both activities. All players were assigned to groups: centre-backs (CBs), fullbacks (FBs), defensive midfielders (DMFs), offensive midfielders (OMFs), wide midfielders (WMFs) and strikers (Ss). TGs showed greater total DC, DC 14-17.9 km•h-1, DC 18-21 km•h-1, DC >21 km•h-1, accelerations and decelerations >2.5 m•s-2, and Player Load (p < 0.01). CBs, FBs and Ss showed more DC, DC 14-17.9 km•h-1, DC 18-21 km•h-1, DC >21 km•h-1, accelerations and decelerations >2.5 m•s-2 and Player Load in TGs (p < 0.01). In the midfielder positions, transition game players showed greater DC 18-21 km•h-1, DC >21 km•h-1, accelerations and decelerations >2.5 m•s-2 than in matches (p < 0.05). DMFs showed higher total DC (p < 0.05) and WMFs greater DC and DC 14-17.9 km•h-1 (p < 0.01) in these drills. During transition games CBs showed greater DC 14-17.9 km•h-1 than FBs, and greater DC than Ss (p < 0.05). FBs performed more decelerations >2.5 m•s-2 than DMFs and OMFs (p < 0.05). TGs produced a homogenized load in soccer players, independent of their position, which exceeded the external load of official matches.

The role of offensive processes and age development for female soccer players' anticipation

Anticipation has been confirmed as a more valid measure for recognizing talented athletes than pattern recall alone. Anticipation of offensive processes in soccer, such as counter attacks and positional attacks, is essential for the sport. Additionally, the anticipation of elements such as the soccer ball, offensive and defensive players may also be affected by varied offensive processes. In this study, we combined anticipation with the pattern recall paradigm to measure the perceptual-cognitive skills of female soccer players across different age groups and offensive processes. Adult (U23) and adolescent (U15) female soccer players were recruited to complete the pattern anticipation task using coach-rated video segments. Our results show that adult female soccer players demonstrated greater accuracy in anticipating locations during positional attacks compared to adolescents, but no significant difference was observed during counter attacks. Furthermore, location anticipation accuracy is higher in all groups towards elements of the soccer ball and offensive players, but not defensive players, during counter attacks compared to positional attacks. These findings suggest that positional attack is the main advantage in perceptual-cognitive skills for adult female soccer players. Additionally, offensive processes and elements should be carefully considered when measuring perceptual-cognitive skills.