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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
This study explored how the number of allowed ball touches per player possession affected the performance of different
age groups (U9, U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19) during a Gk þ 4vs4þGk small-sided games. Each day, players randomly
performed the following three conditions (for a total of 6 days): i) free-play (FP); ii) maximum of 2 touches (2 T); iii) 1
touch (1 T). Players’ positional data was used to compute time-motion and positional-related variables, while video
analysis was used to capture technical performance.
In general, no effects were identified in relation to the players distances (team centroid, opponents’ centroid, nearest
teammate, and nearest opponent). There were small to moderate decreases in the longitudinal synchronization while
playing with 1 T and 2 T in the U9 and U17, but a moderate increase in the U15. There was a general decrease in the
distance covered and distance covered while running (small to moderate effects) when playing with limited touches in all
age groups. Limiting the touches promoted small to moderate increases in the number of successful passes in the U9,
U15, and U17 and a general increase in unsuccessful actions. Overall, playing with limited touches emphasized the
passing skill while it also contributed to more unsuccessful actions and lower physical demands. As so, coaches may use
the 2 T in young age groups (U9-U13) as they seem less able to successfully cope with 1 T, while using 1 T in older age
groups due to their higher ability to interact with environmental information.
Description
Keywords
Global position system Tactics