Emergence of exploratory, technical and tactical behavior in small-sided soccer games when manipulating the number of teammates and opponents
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Date
2016
Authors
Torrents Martín, Carlota
Ric Diez, Ángel
Hristovski, Robert
Torres-Ronda, Lorena
Vicente Vives, Emili
Sampaio, Jaime
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Abstract
The effects that different constraints have on the exploratory behavior, measured by the
variety and quantity of different responses within a game situation, is of the utmost importance for successful performance in team sports. The aim of this study was to determine
how the number of teammates and opponents affects the exploratory behavior of both professional
and amateur players in small-sided soccer games. Twenty-two professional (age
25.6 ± 4.9 years) and 22 amateur (age 23.1 ± 0.7 years) male soccer players played three
small-sided game formats (4 vs. 3, 4 vs. 5, and 4 vs. 7). These trials were video-recorded
and a systematic observation instrument was used to notate the actions, which were subsequently
analyzed by means of a principal component analysis and the dynamic overlap
order parameter (measure to identify the rate and breadth of exploratory behavior on different
time scales). Results revealed that a higher the number of opponents required for more
frequent ball controls. Moreover, with a higher number of teammates, there were more
defensive actions focused on protecting the goal, with more players balancing. In relation to
attack, an increase in the number of opponents produced a decrease in passing, driving and
controlling actions, while an increase in the number of teammates led to more time being
spent in attacking situations. A numerical advantage led to less exploratory behavior, an
effect that was especially clear when playing within a team of seven players against four
opponents. All teams showed strong effects of the number of teammates on the exploratory
behavior when comparing 5 vs 7 or 3 vs 7 teammates. These results seem to be independent of the players' level.
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PLoS ONE, 2016, vol. 11, núm. 12, e0168866