Sigrid B H Olthof1, Wouter G P Frencken2, Koen A P M Lemmink3. 1. University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, A. Deusinglaan 1/P.O. Box 196, 9713 AV/9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: s.b.h.olthof@umcg.nl. 2. University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, A. Deusinglaan 1/P.O. Box 196, 9713 AV/9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands; Hanze University of Applied Sciences, School of Sports Studies, Zernikeplein 7/P.O. Box 70030, 9747 AS/9700 RM Groningen, The Netherlands; Football Club Groningen, Boumaboulevard 41, 9723 ZS Groningen, The Netherlands. 3. University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, A. Deusinglaan 1/P.O. Box 196, 9713 AV/9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands; Hanze University of Applied Sciences, School of Sports Studies, Zernikeplein 7/P.O. Box 70030, 9747 AS/9700 RM Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Young soccer players need excellent tactical skills to reach the top. Tactical behavior emerges through interactions between opposing teams. However, few studies have focused on on-field tactical behavior of teams with talented soccer players. Therefore, this study aimed to determine teams' tactical behavior during small-sided games in two age categories, Under-17 and Under-19. METHODS: Positional data of thirty-nine elite-standard soccer players were collected during twenty-four small-sided games to calculate longitudinal and lateral inter-team distances, stretch indices and length per width ratios. Corresponding interaction patterns and game-to-game variability were also determined. RESULTS: Under-19 showed a significantly larger lateral stretch index and a significantly lower length per width ratio compared with Under-17. Furthermore, teams of both age groups showed similar large proportions of in-phase behavior. Variability of tactical performance measures within and between games was similar for Under-17 and Under-19. CONCLUSIONS: Variability within games seems to be functional for attacking teams for creating goal-scoring opportunities. In conclusion, the main difference was that Under-19 adopted a wider pitch dispersion than Under-17, represented by a larger lateral stretch index and smaller length per width ratio. Coach instructions and training exercises should be directed at exploiting pitch width to increase the pursuit of goal-scoring.
PURPOSE: Young soccer players need excellent tactical skills to reach the top. Tactical behavior emerges through interactions between opposing teams. However, few studies have focused on on-field tactical behavior of teams with talented soccer players. Therefore, this study aimed to determine teams' tactical behavior during small-sided games in two age categories, Under-17 and Under-19. METHODS: Positional data of thirty-nine elite-standard soccer players were collected during twenty-four small-sided games to calculate longitudinal and lateral inter-team distances, stretch indices and length per width ratios. Corresponding interaction patterns and game-to-game variability were also determined. RESULTS: Under-19 showed a significantly larger lateral stretch index and a significantly lower length per width ratio compared with Under-17. Furthermore, teams of both age groups showed similar large proportions of in-phase behavior. Variability of tactical performance measures within and between games was similar for Under-17 and Under-19. CONCLUSIONS: Variability within games seems to be functional for attacking teams for creating goal-scoring opportunities. In conclusion, the main difference was that Under-19 adopted a wider pitch dispersion than Under-17, represented by a larger lateral stretch index and smaller length per width ratio. Coach instructions and training exercises should be directed at exploiting pitch width to increase the pursuit of goal-scoring.
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