Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.26582/k.51.2.15

The effects of positional role on tactical behaviour in a four-a-side small-sided and conditioning soccer game

Guilherme Machado ; Centre of Research and Studies in Soccer (NUPEF), Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
Maickel Bach Padilha ; 1Centre of Research and Studies in Soccer (NUPEF), Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil ; Center of Studies of Sports Games (CEJD), Center of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport, University of Por
Sixto González Víllora ; Faculdad de Educación de Cuenca, Universidad Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain
Filipe Manuel Clemente ; Escola Superior de Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Melgaço, Portugal
Israel Teoldo ; Centre of Research and Studies in Soccer (NUPEF), Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil

Abstract

In soccer, different tactical behaviours of individuals are necessary to perform well as a team. The demands put on players from different positional roles can be manipulated in training through small-sided and conditioned games and tactical behaviours might be stimulated. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of positional role in tactical behaviour of U-17 youth soccer players based on core tactical principles in a four-a-side small-sided and conditioned game. The sample was comprised of 268 U-17 youth Brazilian soccer players. They were of five positional roles: centre backs; fullbacks; defensive midfielders; offensive midfielders; and forwards. The instrument used to collect and analyse data was the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUT-SAT). Results revealed that players of different positional roles showed no differences in the quantity of tactical actions performed. Moreover, forwards showed lower quality of tactical behaviour in the defensive phase (M=69.1, SD=16.0; p<.05) compared to fullbacks (M=77.0, SD=13.1; p<.05) and worse in actions far from the ball that ensured team cohesion in the defensive phase (M=69.7, SD=22.8; p<.05) compared to fullbacks (M=80.1, SD=18.4; p<.05). This study showed that the four-a-side format allows U-17 players to perform a similar quantity of tactical actions regardless of their positional role, but the player’s positional role influence quality of their tactical behaviour. Therefore, this structure might be used for trainings that promotes similar tasks and stimuli for players’ development that do not focus on specific tactical roles.

Keywords

youth sport; football; tactical actions; playing position; performance analysis; team sports

Hrčak ID:

228465

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/228465

Publication date:

31.12.2019.

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