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goals, lines to cross, etc.) (13), limitations
Small-sided games (SSGs) are regu- popular tasks used in training sce-
larly used in soccer training. SSGs are
in terms of the number of ball touches
narios. The SSGs are smaller and allowed (17), use of wildcards (i.e., play-
used because of their capacity to adjusted versions of the official format
replicate the demands of a real match ers who provide a transitory numerical
of the game, and they are intended to advantage) (37), and type of marking (8).
or control the overall workload of stimulate both physiological/physical
players. However, some threats may All these task conditions work concur-
and technical/tactical capacities (11,22)
result from the use of SSGs. Thus, it is rently to change the dynamics of the
of soccer players. One of the main argu-
important to highlight those threats to exercise and possibly the overall capac-
ments supporting the use of such drills is
improve the effectiveness of SSG im- ity of the drill to simulate the physical
that they require an exertion of effort
plementation. Based on that, we demands of a real game (28).
that is similar to the effort exerted in
examine and discuss comparisons a real game (10). Typically, SSGs are The physical demands within the
between external load SSGs and real- characterized by augmenting the play- same SSG can differ significantly con-
game scenarios, the intra- and inter- er’s perception of a given tactical princi- sidering the fitness status of the players
players physical variability during the ple or tactical behavior (16). However, or the playing positions, and for that
smaller formats of play, the conse- there are many task conditions used by reason, coaches should consider that
quences of SSGs in terms of the coaches to augment a given tactical prin- variations to the preplanned stimulus
proper physical stimulation of players, ciple, and some of these task conditions during exercise may occur (11). More-
and injury prevention. over, SSGs should be carefully used
may create a gap between the physical
specificities of a real game and those of
KEY WORDS:
SSGs (12). The most commonly studied
association football; drill-based games; high
task conditions include the manipulation
intensity running; sprinting; training load;
Address correspondence to Dr. Filipe M. of the format of play (i.e., the number of
performance
Clemente, filipe.clemente5@gmail.com. players involved) (34), size of the pitch
100 VOLUME 42 | NUMBER 3 | JUNE 2020 Copyright Ó National Strength and Conditioning Association
Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
based on the high levels of inter- and recorded during SSGs (15.3 times in real 1 and 2 versus 2 formats, and values of
intraplayer variability occurred among game versus 7.5 in SSGs, per hour of between 6.6 m (speed endurance pro-
these games regarding determinant game; 15.2 m in real game versus duction) and 48.7 m (speed endurance
running speeds and specific physiolog- 4.3 m in SSGs, per hour of game) (7). maintenance) were observed for
ical variables (26,38). Therefore, it is In the same study (7), it was also revealed generic running exercises (1). There-
important to summarize some SSG- that the maximal velocity recorded was fore, it seems that smaller SSG formats
related factors that have been ne- 27.0 km/h21 during a real game, whereas do not effectively stimulate the deter-
glected in recent years. Although SSGs the maximal velocity recorded during minant variables of HSR, sprinting dis-
show benefits as a drill-based high- SSGs was only 20.3 km/h21. A study tance, and maximal velocity.
intensity exercise, they are not a fool- conducted on male professional soccer Another interesting reality that differen-
proof training method, and coaches players compared SSGs (5 versus 5 tiates SSGs from real-match scenarios is
must be aware of this fact to use them played in a relative pitch area of the level of player load based on accel-
properly. Thus, the purpose of this arti- 124 m2; 6 versus 6 played in a relative erations/decelerations. The smaller
cle is to discuss the disadvantages pitch area of 120 m2; and 9 versus 9 pitch sizes in SSGs may contribute to
of SSGs. played in a relative pitch area of an increase in the frequency and vol-
194 m2) with a real game (played in a rel- ume of accelerations/decelerations in
SMALL-SIDED GAMES VERSUS ative pitch area of 260 m2 with a length:- comparison to a real game. In the
REAL MATCH: APPARENTLY THE width ratio of 1.45:1) (12). The study above-mentioned study that compared
SAME BUT CERTAINLY DIFFERENT revealed that HSR was meaningfully 5 versus 5, 6 versus 6, and 9 versus 9
The argument of specificity is com- greater in the real game (;5 m/min) SSGs with official matches (12), it was
monly pointed out as a benefit of using than in the small SSG (5 versus 5: found that player load (i.e., the sum of
SSGs. However, the data from differ- ;0 m/min), medium SSG (6 versus 6: instantaneous accelerations along 3
ent comparative studies do not support ;1.5 m/min), and large SSG (9 versus 9: axes, measured as arbitrary units
this argument (7,12,15,20). In fact, the 2 m/min). Another study conducted in [A.U.]) was slightly greater in the 5 ver-
comparisons between determinant var- professional male soccer players (15) re- sus 5 format (;6 A.U./min) than in the
iables such as high-speed running vealed that 4 versus 4 and 6 versus 6 real match (;5 A.U./min). Another
(HSR), sprinting, and accelerations SSGs resulted in meaningfully lower val- study compared the number of acceler-
reveal that SSGs and real games are ues of HSR (4.1 and 2.7 m, respectively) ations and player load between 4 versus
quite different from one another than were recorded during a real game 4 SSGs, 6 versus 6 SSGs, and a real
(7,12,15,20). (8.2 m). Similar evidence was observed in match (15). The 4 versus 4 SSG was
Sprinting distance, HSR, and maximal the same study (15) for sprinting distance associated with values similar to those
velocity have been consistently (4 versus 4: 0.2 m; 6 versus 6: 0.21 m; real recorded during the peak moment of
described as important preventive fac- game: 1.7 m). the match (4 versus 4: 1.7 n and 248
tors that, if properly simulated during The comparative studies mentioned A.U., respectively, for number of accel-
training sessions, reduce the risk of above (7,12,15) clearly show that erations and player load; peak of real
injury (30,31). However, to achieve HSR and maximal velocity are mean- match: 1.6 n and 227 A.U., respectively,
adequate values of HSR (.19.8 km/ ingfully lower in SSGs than in real for number of accelerations and player
h21), sprinting (.25.2 km/h21), or matches. Compounding this, studies load). When extreme formats (1 versus
maximal velocity (;37 km/h21) in soc- have shown that generic running drills 1 and 2 versus 2) were compared with
cer players, associated longitudinal are more capable than SSGs of repro- generic running speed-endurance drills,
space and opportunity must be appro- ducing the stimuli of HSR. Speed- it was discovered that SSGs resulted in
priate (33). This, however, is difficult to endurance drills in running exercises a meaningfully greater number of max-
ensure in small formats and on small were compared with those in SSGs imal accelerations and decelerations
pitches. in a study conducted in elite male (.3 m/s2) than the generic running
A study compared 3 SSG formats (3 youth soccer players (1). The study re- speed-endurance drills.
versus 3, 5 versus 5, and 7 versus 7) vealed that during 1 versus 1 (30 sec- In summarizing the reported evidence,
played in a relative pitch area of onds) and 2 versus 2 (60 seconds) SSG it is clear that SSGs are not the same as
210 m2 per player (1.45:1 length:width drills, HSR values of 5.6 and 3.9 m, real matches in terms of physical stim-
ratio) with real games played in a relative respectively, were achieved; during ulation measured by typical external
pitch area of 300 m2 per player (1.45:1 generic running drills, values of load measures. When compared with
length:width ratio) across 9 training ses- 88.1 m (speed endurance production) a real match, SSGs produce signifi-
sions among male professional soccer and 73.2 m (speed endurance mainte- cantly lower stimuli in terms of HSR,
players. The study revealed that the nance) were recorded. In the same sprinting, and maximal velocity but pro-
number and distance of HSR in real study, values of ;0 m sprinting dis- duce equivalent or greater stimuli in
games more than doubled the values tance were observed in both 1 versus terms of accelerations/decelerations.
101
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Threats of SSGs
Thus, SSGs can be a source of under- progression of the training process. A maximal velocity. In fact, it seems that
or overload depending on the variables more controlled variability level may the measures with lower variability are
that coaches want to stimulate. be better when considering that train- the least intense ones (walking, jogging,
Achieving adjusted and individualized ing load should be logically progressed, total distance, and metabolic load).
values of HSR and at least 90–95% of individualized, and standardized (19). Such evidence should be considered
maximal velocity can be essential for Moreover, extreme or small SSG for- in the SSGs implementation. It is
ensuring a reduction in injury risk or mats potentially ignore the need for highly recommended to consistently
maintaining/improving the specific ca- stimuli to be individualized based on monitor the external load and identify
pacities of soccer players (30,31). the demands and behaviors required the players who are doing significantly
Therefore, coaches should consider by different playing positions. more or less than expected by the
supplementing SSGs with generic One of the first studies to present the coach. Using such information, it will
high-intensity running exercises between-sessions variability values of be possible to standardize the training
(5,24). In fact, generic running seems external load measures during SSGs process and eventually to design new
to be the most effective and controlled (2 versus 2, 4 versus 4, and 6 versus SSGs or to compensate the training
approach to ensure the individualized with more analytical tasks. In fact,
6) was conducted in elite youth players
and proper stimulus of HSR, sprinting, SSGs can be complemented by other
(25). The study revealed that the total
or maximal velocity (32). If coaches opt training procedures to ensure the stan-
distance and distances covered at low
dardization of load per player.
to use SSGs extensively in daily prac- speeds (,6.9 km/h21) had low typical
tice, it is vital that they monitor exter- error (measure of variability) (3.8–6.4% SMALL-SIDED GAMES TRAINING
nal load during these SSGs (as well as and 2.9–4.5%, respectively). However, PROGRAMS: CONSEQUENCES
during other drills) and complement the values of variability in determinant FOR FITNESS DEVELOPMENT
the stimuli with generic and individu- measures such as running (13.0–15.9 The variable nature of SSGs regarding
alized running drills to ensure that the km/h21) and HSR (.18 km/h21) external load measures and their small
desired levels of HSR, sprinting, and were much greater (14.2–23.5% and impact in terms of HSR, sprinting, and
maximal velocity are achieved every 25.7–56.0%, respectively). This sug- maximal velocity may lead to different
week (24). It is also important that gests that high-demanding running results in terms of adaptations. In fact,
coaches control high-impact accelera- speeds are highly variable (25). findings consistently reveal that SSG-
tions and decelerations during SSGs, based programs can enhance players’
mainly in the initial stages of imple- Also, researchers have analyzed the
aerobic capacity (23). However, implica-
mentation, considering that such accel- variability of external load measures
tions for sprinting performance (29,35),
eration/deceleration demands may during 6 versus 6 SSGs played by pro-
repeated sprint ability (34), and agility (9)
contribute to increase the injury risk fessional and amateur players (38).
are reduced and not meaningful.
in players’ weak hamstrings (e.g., his- They observed that the total distance
tory of hamstrings injuries, great asym- (3.5%) and metabolic power (4.4%) In a study conducted over a period of 4
metries) (14) or in players who have presented a low coefficient of varia- weeks in professional soccer players
recently returned to training after tions. Conversely, high speed (.14.4 (34), it was observed that an SSG-
a hamstring injury. km/h21) and very high power (.35 based program contributed to signifi-
w/kg21) were highly variable (13.9 cant increases in volume of oxygen
VARIABILITY IN SMALL-SIDED and 11.1% coefficients of variation, (V̇ O2) and meaningful drops in exercise
GAMES: THE UNEXPECTABLE respectively) (38). Finally, the individ- heart rate during running at 9 km/h21
REAL WORLD
ual variability of professional soccer and 11 km/h21 after the program.
A game is a dynamic system based on players was tested during medium- However, in the same study, no signif-
the relationship between 2 teams sized SSGs (36). Maximum accelera- icant pre-SSG and post-SSG program
under different contextual factors differences were found for repeated
tions/decelerations and HSR were
(21). Because of this, all training sce- sprint performance or speed during
more variable than distance covered
narios involve some level of unpredict- those repeated sprints (34). Another
and the total numbers of accelerations
ability, and such unpredictability study (27) compared SSG-based and
and decelerations.
naturally leads to an increase in the running-based (aerobic power, pro-
variability of stimuli (26). Such variabil- Based on the studies and reports men- longed intermittent intensity running,
ity can be seen as an important condi- tioned here (25,36,38), it is important sprint training, and repeated-sprint
tion of certain positive adaptations in to consider the variability between training) programs for 7 weeks. The
the case of the technical and tactical teammates and, especially, the variabil- results indicate that only the aerobic
aspects of a soccer match (16). How- ity between sessions. These factors capacity tested via the Yo-Yo Intermit-
ever, a large source of variability in should be carefully analyzed by tent Recovery Test (level 1) was
physical demands may not be the best coaches so that they can properly stim- improved by both programs. Other ca-
option to follow an appropriate ulate HSR, sprinting distance, and pacities such as repeated-sprint ability
103
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Threats of SSGs
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Conflicts of Interest and Source of Funding:
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105
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