Inspecting the performance of neutral players in different small-sided games

Abstract

Abstract-The aim of this study was to inspect the effects of format and task conditions on neutral players' heart rate responses and time-motion characteristics. Four formats of play using neutral players and three task conditions were inspected. Moreover, the factor repetition (3 games per each SSG) was also analysed. Ten male amateur soccer players (26.36 ± 5.33 years old, 8 ± 3.2 years of practice, 66.18 ± 10.16 bpm at rest) participated in this study. The repeated measured revealed that no differences were found between repetitions (Pillai's Trace = .075; F 8, 100 = 1.007; p-value = .436; = .075; Power = .445; small effect size). In the game 1 significant interaction effects between the two factors on heart rate responses and time-motion profiles were observed (Pillai's Trace = 0.699; F 24,428 = 3.774; p-value = .001; = .175; Power = 1.000; moderate effect size). In the game 2 , significant interaction effects between the two factors on heart rate responses and time-motion profiles were observed (Pillai's Trace = .712; F 24,428 = 3.860; p-value = .001; = .178; Power = 1.000; moderate effect size). Finally, in the game 3 significant interaction effects between the two factors on heart rate responses and time-motion profiles were observed (Pillai's Trace = .729; F 24,428 = 3.972; p-value = .001; = .182; Power = 1.000; moderate effect size). Briefly, it was possible to conclude that the biggest formats statistically increased the heart rate responses and time-motion characteristics of neutral players. It was also possible to observe that the mean values of heart rate responses found in neutral players throughout small-sided games were appropriated to very light or recovery workouts.Keywords: soccer, small-sided games, task conditions, performance, neutral players Resumo-"Avaliando o desempenho de jogadores neutros em diferentes jogos reduzidos." O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do formato e condições da tarefa nas respostas cardíacas e perfis de movimento de jogadores neutros. Adotaram-se quatro formatos de jogo e três condições da tarefa utilizando jogadores neutros. Participaram no estudo dez jogadores de futebol amador (26,36 ± 5,33 anos de idade, 8 ± 3,2 anos de prática, 66,18 ± 10,16 bpm em descanso). O teste de medidas repetidas não mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre repetições (Pillai's Trace = 0,075; F 8, 100 = 1,007; p-value = 0,436; = 0,075; Power = 0,445). No jogo 1 identificaram-se diferenças estatisticamente significativas na interação entre factores nas variáveis de frequência cardíaca e velocidade (Pillai's Trace = 0,699; F 24,428 = 3,774; p-value = 0,001; = 0,175; Power = 1,000). No jogo 2 identificaram-se diferenças estatisticamente significativas na interação entre factores nas variáveis de frequência cardíaca e velocidade (Pillai's Trace = 0,712; F 24,428 = 3,860; p-value = 0,001; = 0,178; Power = 1,000). Finalmente, no jogo 3 identificaram-se diferenças estatisticamente significativas na interação entre factores nas variáveis de frequência cardíaca e vel...

Effect of outside floaters on soccer players’ tactical behaviour in small-sided conditioned games (Efecto de los comodines externos en el comportamiento táctico de los jugadores de fútbol en los juegos reducidos y condicionados)

“…In SSCGs with outside floaters along the side lines, youth players displayed lower % heart rate during 3 vs. 3+1 and 3 vs. 4 with mini goals game formats, played in a 37m x 28m area, for 24 minutes (Hill-Haas et al, 2010). On the other hand, in a 3 vs. 3+2 game format, played in 3 bouts of 4 minutes without goalkeepers, male amateur soccer players displayed higher average heart rate and %HRres, when compared to a 3 vs. 3+2 game format with mini goals (Clemente et al, 2015;Clemente, Wong, Martins, & Mendes, 2014). Besides, in 7-a-side game with goalkeepers and two floaters along the side lines played in 6-minute bouts in a 40 m x 25m field, undergraduate sports science students had more possession of the ball and increased their distance in width from the opposition than in a 7-a-side game without floaters (Castellano, Silva, Usabiaga, & Barreira, 2016).…”

“…Also, outside floaters support the team in possession by controlling the ball and making passes without opposition (Hill-Haas et al, 2010;Mallo & Navarro, 2008). This support generates numerical advantage for the attacking team and disadvantage for the defending team (Clemente, Martins, Mendes, & Campos, 2015). Outside floaters may play along the side lines, with the purpose of enabling teams to circulate the ball through wide passes.…”

“…Despite the relevance of the utilization outside floaters along the side lines for players' performance, floaters can also play along the goal lines (Clemente et al, 2015). Positioning outside floaters along the goal lines enables players to perform in-depth passes with the purpose of progressing toward the opponent's half (Teoldo, Guilherme, & Garganta, 2015).…”

How the Number of Players and Floaters’ Positioning Changes the Offensive Performance during Futsal Small-Sided and Conditioned Games

“…Previous studies have attempted to provide a broader comprehension of the impact of altering SSCG characteristics (task constraints), such as the number of players per team [ 12 , 13 ], the court size [ 1 ], number of targets [ 14 ] or even the manipulation of the numerical relation between teams using floaters (jokers in other studies) [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Interestingly, one of the task constraints that have been studied recently is the accomplishing of tactical principles of attack performance [ 22 ].…”

Network analysis in small-sided and conditioned soccer games

“…It is suggested that the specific knowledge acquired by a player during the training process in a certain playing position (Kannekens, Elferink-Gemser, & Visscher, 2011) results in different behaviors during the SSCG, including the cooperation patterns established among players to achieve the game's goals. In addition, given the specificity of the playing position of the floaters (Clemente, Martins, Mendes, & Campos, 2015b;Praça, Custódio, & Greco, 2015), it is suggested that these players might present behaviors different from others and/or alter the cooperation patterns of the teams.…”