The development of tactical skills in U-14 and U-15 soccer players throughout a season: a comparative analysis

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P:

Rochael

Francklin

et al. 2021

Recently developed technological approaches using positional data and network analysis were adopted in this study to investigate the existence of drops in tactical performance from the first to the second half of official matches in two different age groups. Fifty outfield players from U-17 ( n = 25) and U-20 ( n = 25) youth academies were monitored over the 2020 competitive season. Players’ positional data were collected by GPS devices, and all matches were recorded for adoption of the Social Network Analysis approach. The individual and collective performances were monitored for both halves of the matches and compared between age group and match period using a mixed two-way ANOVA. Results indicated the absence of drops in collective tactical performance over the halves, although, on the individual scale, players reduced the spatial exploration from the first half to the second half. Older players presented higher density, LPWRatio and lower spatial exploration than younger players. Teams showed stable collective performance within the match, although drops in individual tactical performance were observed and were not age-dependent. Finally, older players tended to present a higher individual and collective performance.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence of age group and match period on tactical performance in youth soccer: A full season study

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P:

Rochael

Francklin

et al. 2021

“…The age group of the present study is in the phase of the direction of the training process 21 , and did not fully develop their tactical, technical, physical and psychological abilities. Accordingly, studies have shown differences in the performance of athletes between different categories [22][23][24] , which evidence the need for hours of practice towards expertise and consequently a more specific performance regarding position functions. Also related to the teaching-learning-training process, in the age group of the present study, athletes evolve significantly throughout the season 24 , so the moment when the evaluation was performed may have influenced the observed results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Existem diferenças nas ações técnicas realizadas por jogadores de diferentes posições durante os pequenos jogos?

Silva

Sousa

Rev. Bras. Cineantropom. Desempenho Hum.

et al. 2018

Self Cite

This study aimed to compare technical actions of soccer players from different playing position during small-sided games in which teams were composed of players from the same position (e.g., three defenders). In total, 14 U-14 soccer players (14.43 ± 0.16 years), four defenders, four midfielders and four forwards, as well as 2 non-evaluated goalkeepers, participated in this study. The incidence of technical actions performed by players was analyzed through proportion chi-square test and omega effect sizes, and significance level was set at 5%. Results showed no differences in technical actions performed by players from different playing positions (p>0.05, small effect size). Thus, it is suggested that the 3v3 small-sided game, with teams composed of athletes with the same playing position, is characterized by a more general training stimulus, which can be particularly useful during the first years of deliberate practice.

“…The System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer 6 allows the investigation of players' behaviors and tactical performance through the frequency and successful application of different tactical principles in both offense and defense. Previous studies have shown that young players present a lower defensive compared to offensive performance in both transversal 13 and longitudinal 14 designs. These results indicate the need to adequately design SSCG to induce adaptive behaviors in defense.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Changes in tactical behavior during small-sided and conditioned games performed within a training session

Rev. bras. cineantropom. desempenho hum.

Barbosa

Moreira

et al. 2020

Self Cite

This study aimed to verify the acute effects of 3vs.3 soccer small-sided and conditioned games (SSCG) on the tactical behavior of youth soccer athletes within one training session. Twenty-four soccer athletes (U-13 and U-14 categories) from a professional club participated in the study. They played four 4-minute 3vs.3 SSCG with 4 minutes of passive recovery in-between. All SSCG were recorded and players’ tactical behavior was analyzed using the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer. We compared the frequencies and percentages of successful tactical principles over the four 3vs.3 SSCG bouts performed within the training session. Results showed an increased number of defensive unity actions (p= 0.005; large effect size) and a higher percentage of successful defensive principles (p<0.001; moderate effect size) in the fourth bout. We can conclude that players’ tactical behaviors change over the SSCG bouts performed within one training session. This suggests that players adapt their tactical behavior according to the tactical problems presented in the SSCG performed within the training session. We can suggest that the long-term improvement in the tactical skills of soccer athletes may be based on these small acute changes in tactical behavior observed in each training session.