Small-Sided Games in Young Soccer Players: Physical and Technical Variables

Aim: The Small-sided games are very widespread football training exercises to improve both the physical condition and the technical abilities. The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the internal load of the young football player using the heart rate (HR) and the perceived exertion (RPE) and to describe the type and amount of some technical skills in 3vs3, 4vs4 and 5vs5. Methods: 16 young soccer players. Results: The study shows that the size with small number of players allows to have a greater internal load both in reference to the HR (3vs3: 87,2 ± 3,3%; 4vs4: 83,8 ± 3,8% p <0.05; 5vs5: 83,7 ± 3,6% p <0.05) both for the RPE (3vs3: 17,5 ± 0,7 AU; 4vs4: 16,4 ± 1,3 AU p < 0.05; 5vs5: 15,8 ± 1,1 AU p < 0.001); while the format with large number of participants makes it possible to achieve a higher number of technical skills (76% successful passes; 24% bad passes; n° 59 tackles). Conclusion: The results showed that the 3vs3 is more effective for a high-intensity aerobic training, because it generates a cardiac response that comes close to 90% of the HR max while the format with a larger number of players produced an increase in the number of specific technical skills.