Citation

Olthof SB, Frencken WG, Lemmink KA. Hum. Mov. Sci. 2015; 41: 92-102.

Affiliation

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.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.humov.2015.02.004

PMID

25769114

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.

Language: en