The interactional effects of deliberate practice and its task constraints are insufficiently explained in the process of skill acquisition of young soccer players. Based on the constraints-led approach [1], this study aimed to analyze the Offensive Sequences (OS) produced by different experienced groups of young soccer players in two small-sided game formats (Gk+3v3+Gk and Gk+6v6+Gk). Methods Thirty U-15 male players were distributed to two groups according to their deliberate practice experience: the Non-Experienced group (N-Exp) and the Experienced (Exp) group (3.87 ± 0.99 years of experience). The experimental protocol consisted of three independent sessions separated by one week intervals. In each session both groups performed the two small-sided games during 10 minutes. Two levels of performance indicators were used to characterize the OS in all drill conditions. The simple indicators were simple counts of the game performance: Duration of ball possession, Number of Players, Ball Touches, Number of Passes, Number of Shots. The composite indicators were defined as "ratios" obtained by dividing two simple indicators: Number of Players/Duration, Ball Touches/Duration, Number of Passes/Duration, Ball Touches/Number of Players, Number of Passes/Number of Players, Number of Passes/Ball Touches and Goal/Shots. A non-parametric MANOVAs were used to analyze the effects of experience and small-sided game format on the OS characteristics. Results & Discussion Considering all matches, the factor "experience level" revealed a significant effect on simple and composite indicators that characterize the OS (÷2(5) = 30.966; p = 0.0001 and ÷2(6) = 32.554; p = 0.0001, respectively). The "small-sided game format" evidenced a significant effect on simple (÷2(5) = 32.604; p = 0.000) and composite (÷2(6) = 11.445; p = 0.001) indicators that characterize the OS produced by the N-Exp group. Regarding the Exp group, a significant effect on simple indicators (÷2(5) = 31.79; p = 0.000) was identified. This effect was not noted on composite indicators (÷2(6) = 2.057; p = 0.914). Conclusion For both groups (N-Exp and Exp), the manipulation of the small-sided game format (i.e., pitch size and the number of players) influenced the OS characteristics. This evidence supports the usefulness of the constraints-led approach in the skill acquisition and performance enhancing in team sports.
© Copyright 2011 7th World Congress on Science and Football (WCSF), 2011. All rights reserved.