The aims of this study are 1) to compare sided games` (SGs) external responses encountered by players according to pitch size and to 2) examine the relationships between sprint performance and SGs` external physical responses. Twenty soccer players under 15years of age (U-15) participated in this study. Each player performed a sprinting test (10 m and 30 m sprints) and played a SG on two different pitch sizes (small at 100 [SSG] and large at 200 [LSG] m2 per player). Higher external responses (p<0.01, ES=-6.41-1.22) were found in LSG in comparison to SSG, except to distance accelerating and decelerating (p>0.05, ES=-0.26-0.27). Players who were faster over 10 and 30 m covered higher distances cruising and sprinting (r=-0.47/-0.66; ± 0.23/± 0.30, respectively, p <0.05), performed a greater number of sprints, achieved higher maximum velocity (Velmax) during LSG and covered a greater distance at high-intensity accelerating (r=-0.50/-0.70; ±0.21/±0.29, respectively, p <0.05) during both SG. LSG demanded a higher external load in comparison with SSG. In addition, the improved sprint capacity could allow players to perform greater running activities and short-term actions at high-intensities during SG.
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