Effect of the number of ball contacts within bouts of 4 vs. 4 small-sided soccer games

Alexandre DELLAL, Carlos LAGO-PENAS, Pui Lam WONG, Karim CHAMARI

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlespeer-review

108 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of the number of ball touches authorized per possession on the physical demands, technical performances and physiological responses throughout the bouts within 4 vs. 4 soccer small-sided games (SSGs). Methods: Twenty international soccer players (27.4 ± 1.5 y, 180.6 ± 2.3 cm, 79.2 ± 4.2 kg, body fat 12.7 ± 1.2%) performed three different 4 vs. 4 SSGs (4 × 4 min) in which the number of ball touches authorized per possession was manipulated (1 touch = 1T; 2 touches = 2T; Free Play = FP). The SSGs were divided in 4 bouts (B1, B2, B3 and B4) separated by 3 min of passive recovery. The physical performances, technical activities, heart rate responses, blood lactate and RPE were analyzed. Results: The FP rule presented greater number of duels, induced the lowest decreases of the sprint and high-intensity performances, and affected less the technical actions (successful passes and number of ball losses) from B1 to B4 as compared with 1T and 2T forms. Moreover, the SSG played in 1T form led to reach higher solicitation of the high-intensity actions while players presented more difficulty to perform a correct technical action. Conclusions: The modification of the number of ball touches authorized per possession affects the soccer player activity from the first to the last bout of SSG, indicating that the determination of this rule has to be precisely planned by the coach according to the objectives of the training. Copyright © 2011 Human Kinetics, Inc. The journal website is located at: http://journals.humankinetics.com/ijspp
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)322-333
JournalInternational Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
Volume6
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2011

Citation

Dellal, A., Lago-Penas, C., Wong, D. P., & Chamari, K. (2011). Effect of the number of ball contacts within bouts of 4 vs. 4 small-sided soccer games. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 6(3), 322-333.

Keywords

  • Timemotion characteristics
  • Technical actions
  • Elite soccer players
  • Physical fitness training
  • Physiological responses

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of the number of ball contacts within bouts of 4 vs. 4 small-sided soccer games'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.