David Casamichana

Time–motion, heart rate, perceptual and motor behaviour demands in small-sides soccer games: Effects of pitch size

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine physical, physiological, and motor responses and perceived exertion during different soccer drills. In small-sided games, the individual playing area (∼275 m2, ∼175 m2, and ∼75 m2) was varied while the number of players per team was kept constant: 5 vs. 5 plus goalkeepers. Participants were ten male youth soccer players. Each session comprised three small-sided game formats, which lasted 8 min each with a 5-min passive rest period between them. A range of variables was recorded and analysed for the three drills performed over three training sessions: (a) physiological, measured using Polar Team devices; (b) physical, using GPS SPI elite devices; (c) perceived exertion, rated using the CR-10 scale; and (d) motor response, evaluated using an observational tool that was specially designed for this study. Significant differences were observed for most of the variables studied. When the individual playing area was larger, the effective playing time, the physical (total distance covered; distances covered in low-intensity running, medium-intensity running, and high-intensity running; distance covered per minute; maximum speed; work-to-rest ratio; sprint frequency) and physiological workload (percent maximum heart rate; percent mean heart rate; time spent above 90% maximum heart rate), and the rating of perceived exertion were all higher, while certain motor behaviours were observed less frequently (interception, control and dribble, control and shoot, clearance, and putting the ball in play). The results show that the size of the pitch should be taken into account when planning training drills, as it influences the intensity of the task and the motor response of players.

The Use of Match Statistics that Discriminate Between Successful and Unsuccessful Soccer Teams.

The Use of Match Statistics that Discriminate Between Successful and Unsuccessful Soccer Teams Three soccer World Cups were analysed with the aim of identifying the match statistics which best discriminated between winning, drawing and losing teams. The analysis was based on 177 matches played during the three most recent World Cup tournaments: Korea/Japan 2002 (59), Germany 2006 (59) and South Africa 2010 (59). Two categories of variables were studied: 1) those related to attacking play: goals scored, total shots, shots on target, shots off target, ball possession, number of off-sides committed, fouls received and corners; and 2) those related to defence: total shots received, shots on target received, shots off target received, off-sides received, fouls committed, corners against, yellow cards and red cards. Discriminant analysis of these matches revealed the following: (a) the variables related to attacking play that best differentiated between winning, drawing and losing teams were total shots, shots on target and ball possession; and (b) the most discriminating variables related to defence were total shots received and shots on target received. These results suggest that winning, drawing and losing national teams may be discriminated from one another on the basis of variables such as ball possession and the effectiveness of their attacking play. This information may be of benefit to both coaches and players, adding to their knowledge about soccer performance indicators and helping to guide the training process.

Comparing the Physical Demands of Friendly Matches and Small-sided Games in Semiprofessional Soccer Players

Casamichana, D, Castellano, J, and Castagna, C. Comparing the physical demands of friendly matches and small-sided games in semiprofessional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 26(3): 837–843, 2012—This study compared the physical demands of friendly matches (FMs) and small-sided games (SGs) in semiprofessional soccer players by means of global positioning system technology. Twenty-seven semiprofessional soccer players were monitored during 7 FMs and 9 sessions involving different SGs. Their physical profile was described on the basis of 20 variables related to distances and frequencies at different running speeds, the number of accelerations, and through global indicators of workload such as the work:rest ratio, player workload, and the exertion index. Results showed significant differences (p < 0.01) between SGs and FMs for the following variables: overall workload (SG > FM); the distribution of the distance covered in the speed zones 7.0–12.9 km·h−1 (SG > FM) and >21 km·h−1 (FM > SG); the distribution of time spent in certain speed zones (FM > SG: 0.0–6.9 and >21 km·h−1; FM > SG: 7.0–12.9 km·h−1). More sprints per hour of play were performed during FMs, with greater mean durations and distances, greater maximum durations and distances, and a greater frequency per hour of play for sprints of 10–40 and >40 m (p < 0.01). The frequency of repeated high-intensity efforts was higher during FM (p < 0.01). The results show that coaches and strength and conditioning professionals should consider FMs during their training routine to foster specific adaptations in the domain of high-intensity effort.

Influence of different training regimes on physical and physiological demands during small-sided soccer games: continuous vs. intermittent format.

Abstract Casamichana, D, Castellano, J, and Dellal, A. Influence of different training regimes on physical and physiological demands during small-sided soccer games: Continuous vs. intermittent format. J Strength Cond Res 27(3): 690–697, 2013—The aim of this study was to examine the physical and heart rate (HR) response of soccer players during 16 minutes of training using the same 5 vs. 5 small-sided game (SSG) in 3 different training regimes: a continuous format of 16 minutes and 2 intermittent formats (4 periods of 4 minutes; and 2 periods of 8 minutes) with the same work/rest ratio of passive recovery between the different periods (4:1). Ten male players (age 21.3 ± 3.4 years) belonging to a team of the third Spanish division participated in this study. Analyses were carried using a training regimen vs. drill time design (i.e., training × duration), that is, differentiating 2 training regimen (intermittent vs. continuous SSG formats) and the 4-minute periods (0–4, 4–8, 8–12, and 12–16 minutes) to determine the extent to which fatigue affected the variables studied in each regimen. During each SSG, HR and total distance covered in different speed categories and accumulated accelerations (i.e., training load) were measured. Results showed significant differences for (a) in intermittent format of 2 × 8 minutes, the distance covered at a speed of 7–12.9 km·h−1 was greater in the 0- to 4-minute period than in the 12- to 16-minute period, and (b) the distance covered at a speed of 7–12.9 km·h−1 during the 8- to 12-minute period was greater in intermittent format of 2 × 8 minutes than in continuous format (16 minutes). This study showed that drill regimen may affect physical responses during training SSG. The resulting evidence suggests that the continuous SSG format induces greater physical loads on players as compared with intermittent SSG format and that should help coaches to establish a better distribution of playing according to the objectives of the training.

Number of Players and Relative Pitch Area per Player: Comparing Their Influence on Heart Rate and Physical Demands in Under-12 and Under-13 Football Players.

The aim of the present study is to analyse the influence of different large-sided games (LSGs) on the physical and physiological variables in under-12s (U12) and -13s (U13) soccer players. The effects of the combination of different number of players per team, 7, 9, and 11 (P7, P9, and P11, respectively) with three relative pitch areas, 100, 200, and 300 m2 (A100, A200, and A300, respectively), were analysed in this study. The variables analysed were: 1) global indicator such as total distance (TD); work:rest ratio (W:R); player-load (PL) and maximal speed (Vmax); 2) heart rate (HR) mean and time spent in different intensity zones of HR (<75%, 75–84%, 84–90% and >90%), and; 3) five absolute (<8, 8–13, 13–16 and >16 Km h-1) and three relative speed categories (<40%, 40–60% and >60% Vmax). The results support the theory that a change in format (player number and pitch dimensions) affects no similarly in the two players categories. Although it can seem that U13 players are more demanded in this kind of LSG, when the work load is assessed from a relative point of view, great pitch dimensions and/or high number of player per team are involved in the training task to the U12 players. The results of this study could alert to the coaches to avoid some types of LSGs for the U12 players such as: P11 played in A100, A200 or A300, P9 played in A200 or A300 and P7 played in A300 due to that U13>U12 in several physical and physiological variables (W:R, time spent in 84–90%HRmax, distance in 8–13 and 13–16 Km h-1 and time spent in 40–60%Vmax). These results may help youth soccer coaches to plan the progressive introduction of LSGs so that task demands are adapted to the physiological and physical development of participants.

Effect of Number of Touches and Exercise Duration on the Kinematic Profile and Heart Rate Response During Small-Sided Games in Soccer

Abstract This study aimed to examine the effect of exercise duration and the number of touches allowed during possession on time-motion characteristics and the physiological responses of soccer players in 6 vs. 6 small-sided games (SSGs) lasting 12 minutes. The analysis divided each game into two 6-min periods and we compared two formats: free play (SSGfp) vs. a maximum of two touches per individual possession (SSG 2T). Participants were 12 semi-professional players (age: 22.7±4.3 years; body height: 177.5+4.9 cm; body mass: 74.9±6.3 kg) and the following variables were measured by means of heart rate monitors and GPS devices: mean heart rate (HRmean), time spent in each exercise intensity zone, total distance covered, total distance covered in different speed zones, number of accelerations at different intensities, maximum speed reached, player load, and the work-to-rest ratio. The results showed that in SSGFP there was a decrease in the intensity of physical parameters during the second 6-min period (6-12 min), whereas this decrease was not observed when a maximum of two touches per individual possession was allowed. During the second period (6-12 min) of SSG2T there was an increase in HRmean and in the time spent in high exercise intensity zones, but these differences were not observed in SSGFP. The value of these findings for soccer coaches is that they illustrate how different technical, tactical or conditioning objectives could be addressed by altering the length and format of the SSG used in training.

What are the differences between first and second divisions of Spanish football teams

We compared the performance of teams in the first and second divisions of the Spanish soccer league (BBVA and Adelante Leagues, respectively) in 2013-14. We analysed 320 first-division (L1) matches and 335 second-division (L2) matches. Variables related to use of space (width/depth of play and height of defense) and physical performance (total kilometers)) were coded using TRACAB®, while technical-tactical actions (shots, centre kicks, corner kicks, total passes, and percentage of successful passes) were coded by OPTA®. The 42 teams were divided into four groups: top 10 and bottom 10 teams in L1 (L11 and L12) and top 10 and bottom 12 teams in L2 (L21 and L22). Significant differences were found for all the indicators, with L11 teams performing better than the other three groups for almost all variables. It is noteworthy that L12 teams performed significantly better than L21 teams in terms of width and depth of play and height of defense. Our findings add to the body of knowledge of game models employed by elite soccer teams in match situations and may help coaches to design training drills focusing on specific skills and tactics, physical requirements, and use of space to optimise game dynamics and overall performance.

Influence of the number of players and the relative pitch area per player on heart rate and physical demands in youth soccer.

Abstract Castellano, J, Puente, A, Echeazarra, I, and Casamichana, D. Influence of the number of players and the relative pitch area per player on heart rate and physical demands in youth soccer. J Strength Cond Res 29(6): 1683–1691, 2015—The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of different large-sided games on the physical and physiological variables in under-13 soccer players. The effects on heart rate (HR) and physical demands of different number of players (NP) (7, 9, and 11) together with the relative pitch area (RPA) (100, 200, and 300 m2) during two 12-minute repetitions were analyzed in this study. The variables analyzed were mean, maximum and different intensity zones of HR; total distance (TD); work:rest ratio (W:R); player load (PL); 5 absolute and 3 relative speed categories. The results support the hypothesis that a change in pitch dimensions affects locomotor activity more than the NP does but also refute the hypothesis that the change in the NP has a greater effect on HR. To be more specific, an increase in the RPA per player (300/200/100 m2) was associated with higher values of the following variables: TD (2,250–2,314/2,003–2,148/1,766–1,845 m), W:R (0.5–0.6/0.4–0.5/0.3 arbitrary unit [AU]), PL (271–306/246–285/229–267 AU), %HRmean (85–88/85–89/81–83%), %HRmax (95–100/97–100/95–98%), and affected the percentage of time spent in both absolute (above 8 km·h−1) and relative speed (above 40% Vmax) categories (p ⩽ 0.05, effect size: 0.31–0.85). These results may help youth soccer coaches to plan the progressive introduction of large-sided games so that task demands are adapted to the physiological and physical development of participants.

Influence of the Type of Marking and the Number of Players on Physiological and Physical Demands During Sided Games in Soccer.

Abstract The aim of this research was to examine the influence of two variables, the type of marking (with or without man-marking) and the number of players per team (3, 6, or 9) on the physical and physiological demands of sided games in soccer. Eighteen amateur players were monitored with GPS and heart rate devices. The following variables were analyzed: a maximum heart rate, a mean heart rate, time spent in each intensity range, total distance covered and distance covered in different speed ranges, a player load, maximum speed reached, and a work:rest ratio. The results showed that the type of marking influenced the physical demands of players, with greater total distance, a player load and a work:rest ratio when man-marking was used in the 3 vs. 3 (737 m, 95 Arbitrary Units (AU) and 3.4 AU, respectively) and 6 vs. 6 (783 m, 95 AU and 5.3 AU, respectively) games (p<0.05). The number of players also had an effect on physiological intensity, with more time being spent at the <80%HRmax during the 9 vs. 9 and 6 vs. 6 games (more than 30%) compared with the 3 vs. 3 format (less than 15%) (p<0.05). These findings could help coaches to understand how the modification of different variables in sided games influences the physical and physiological demands of players.

Cardiac Parasympathetic Reactivation in Elite Soccer Players During Different Types of Traditional High-Intensity Training Exercise Modes and Specific Tests: Interests and Limits

Background: The cardiac parasympathetic reactivation is currently used in soccer with a daily or weekly monitoring. However, previous studies have not investigated how this cardiac parasympathetic reactivation is in elite soccer players along different types of traditional high-intensity training exercise and specific tests. In this context, the present study aim to analyse it and to determine the interests and limits of this type of physiological information. Objectives: The present study aims to examine how different traditional training exercise modes affect the cardiac parasympathetic reactivation function in elite soccer players. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two international soccer players participating in UEFA Champion’s League took part in this study (age: 24.3 ± 4.2 years; height: 178.1 ± 6.2 cm; body mass: 80.3 ± 5.7 kg). Players performed different training methods including: short-duration intermittent exercises (INT) in-line and with changes of direction (COD) (10 - 10 seconds, 15 - 15 seconds, 30 - 30 seconds, e.g. an alternance of 10 - 10 seconds is 10 seconds of running according to the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and 10-sec of recovery), INT including agility and technical skills (8 - 24-seconds), small-sided-games (SSGs) with and without goalkeepers (2 vs. 2, 3 vs. 3, 4 vs. 4), and repeated sprint ability (RSA) efforts (10 × 20 m, 10 × 30 m, 15 × 20 m). Heart rate (HR) decline was recorded 3 minutes after each exercise. Results: HR declines were greater after the RSA compared to SSGs (P < 0.001) and INT (P < 0.01), especially at 1 min post-exercise. In addition, when the analysis focused on each type of exercise, greater HR declines were observed in on-field players at 1 minute when there was: inclusion of goalkeepers in SSGs (for 2 vs. 2 and 3 vs. 3, P < 0.01); increase of sprint distances or number of sprint repetitions in RSA (P < 0.01); increase of intensity (% of maximal aerobic speed), and the use of COD or inclusion of technical skills during INT, especially for the 30 - 30-seconds. Conclusions: This study revealed that cardiac parasympathetic reactivation function varied after INT, RSA and SSG, but also according to the rules manipulation. Therefore, this study provides interesting information for the training monitoring and players’ recovery profile, with the aim of facilitating a more efficient planning and manipulation of training recovery strategies according to their fitness markers.