Tactical behavior in soccer small-sided games: influence of team composition criteria

Abstract This study aimed to compare the tactical behavior of young soccer players during small-sided games played with team composition criteria based on procedural tactical knowledge, aerobic power and speed performance. Eighteen male soccer players played 3vs.3 small-sided games with teams balanced according to players’ performance on Sprint Test, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test and the field test of the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer. Data related to the incidence of tactical principles were analyzed through the proportions chi-square test with Bonferroni’s correction. One-way ANOVA was used to compare players’ offensive and defensive tactical performance. Results showed different incidence of offensive and defensive tactical principles in games with different teams’ composition criteria. It has also been shown a higher defensive performance when the teams’ composition criteria was based on players’ procedural tactical knowledge.