Purpose: To compare the tactical-technical behavior of volleyball players according to the manipulation of court size in small-sided games. Method: We analyzed the tactical-technical behaviors of 16 male players (12.2 ± 0.5 years and 1.2 ± 0.8 years of practice) using the components of the GPAI instrument (Adjustment, efficiency, decision-making and effectiveness) validated for volleyball. To this end, we examined 1614 transition actions (defense, setting and attack) from games played in four court dimensions (3.0 × 3.0m, 4.0 × 4.0m, 4.6 × 4.6m and 5.2 × 5.2m). Altogether 96 Volleyball games were analyzed. Results: The smaller area per player favored technical skills development, specifically defensive and offensive ones. On the other hand, a larger area per player promoted higher scores in decision-making and effectiveness. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the players’ behaviors in small-sided games depend on the game configurations, since modifications in the tactical-technical behavior emanate from the game ecology. Thus, the court size manipulation is a powerful pedagogical tool that deeply relates to learning outcomes. Coaches must consider such constraints in the teaching-learning process, since small-sided games manipulations should be linked with clear learning goals.
DavidsKAraújoDCorreiaV, et al.How small-sided and conditioned games enhance acquisition of movement and decision-making skills. Exerc Sport Sci Rev2013; 41: 154–161.
2.
SilvaBGargantaJSantosR, et al.Comparing tactical behaviour of soccer players in 3 vs. 3 and 6 vs. 6 small-sided games. J Hum Kinet2014; 41: 191–202.
3.
OlthofSBHFrenckenWGPLemminkKAPM. A match-derived relative pitch area facilitates the tactical representativeness of small-sided games for the official soccer match. J Strength Cond Res2019; 33: 523–530.
4.
SilvaAFConteDClementeFM. Decision-making in youth team-sports players: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health2020; 17: 1–23.
5.
PráxedesADel Villar ÁlvarezFMorenoA, et al.Effects of a nonlinear pedagogy intervention programme on the emergent tactical behaviours of youth footballers. Phys Educ Sport Pedagog2019; 24: 332–343.
6.
BonneyNBerryJBallK, et al.Can match play kicking and physical performance outcomes be replicated in an Australian football small-sided game?Sci Med Footb2020; 4: 314–321.
7.
ClementeFMSarmentoHCostaIT, et al.Variability of technical actions during small-sided games in young soccer players. J Hum Kinet2019; 69: 201–212.
8.
Serra-OlivaresJGarcía-LópezLMCalderónA. Game-based approaches, pedagogical principles and tactical constraints: examining games modification. J Teach Phys Educ2016; 35: 208–218.
9.
Fernández-EspínolaCRoblesMTAFuentes-GuerraFJG. Small-sided games as a methodological resource for team sports teaching: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health2020; 17: 1884.
10.
SarmentoHClementeFMHarperLD, et al.Small sided games in soccer—a systematic review. Int J Perform Anal Sport2018; 18: 693–749.
11.
TimmermanEAFarrowDSavelsberghGJP. The effect of manipulating task constraints on game performance in youth field hockey. Int J Sport Sci Coach2017; 12: 588–594.
12.
TimmermanEASavelsberghGJPFarrowD. Creating appropriate training environments to improve technical, decision-making, and physical skills in field hockey. Res Q Exerc Sport2019; 90: 180–189.
13.
FröhnerBZimmermannB. Selected aspects of the developments of men's volleyball. Coach1996; 4: 14–24.
14.
PalaoJMSantosJAUreñaA. Effect of team level on skill performance in volleyball. Int J Perform Anal Sport2004; 4: 50–60.
15.
Ortega-ToroEBlanca-TorresJCGiménez-EgidoJM, et al.Effect of scaling task constraints on the learning processes of under-11 badminton players during match-play. Children2020; 7: 164.
16.
LimpensVBuszardTShoemakerE, et al.Scaling constraints in junior tennis: the influence of net height on skilled players’ match-play performance. Res Q Exerc Sport2018; 89: 1–10.
17.
Gimenez-EgidoJMOrtega-ToroEPalaoJM, et al.Effect of modification rules in competition on technical–tactical action in young tennis players (Under-10). Front Psychol2020; 10: 1–15.
18.
JaraDOrtegaEGómezMÁ, et al.Effect of pitch size on technical-tactical actions of the goalkeeper in small-sided games. J Hum Kinet2018; 62: 157–166.
19.
CastilloDRaya-GonzálezJManuel ClementeF, et al.The influence of offside rule and pitch sizes on the youth soccer players’ small-sided games external loads. Res Sport Med2020; 28: 324–338.
20.
MachadoJCRibeiroJPalhetaCE, et al.Changing rules and configurations during soccer small-sided and conditioned games. How does it impact teams’ tactical behavior?Front Psychol2019; 10: 1554.
21.
ClementeFMAfonsoJSarmentoH. Small-sided games: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. PLoS One2021; 16: e0247067.
22.
TravassosBAraújoDDavidsK, et al.Informational constraints shape emergent functional behaviours during performance of interceptive actions in team sports. Psychol Sport Exerc2012; 13: 216–223.
23.
VilarLAraújoDDavidsK, et al.Spatial-temporal constraints on decision-making during shooting performance in the team sport of futsal. J Sports Sci2013; 31: 840–846.
24.
VilarLDuarteRSilvaP, et al.The influence of pitch dimensions on performance during small-sided and conditioned soccer games. J Sports Sci2014; 32: 1751–1759.
25.
WoodsCTMcKeownIRothwellM, et al.Sport practitioners as sport ecology designers: how ecological dynamics has progressively changed perceptions of skill “acquisition” in the sporting habitat. Front Psychol2020; 11: 654.
26.
EricssonKAHoffmanRRKozbeltA, et al.The Cambridge handbook of expertise and expert performance. Cambridge University Press, 2018.
27.
RochaACRFreireABSilva JuniorAd, et al.How context influences the tactical-technical behavior of learners: the case of volleyball. Rev Bras Cineantropometria Desempenho Hum2020; 22: 1–10.
28.
AlcântaraCHTeixeiraASTeixeiraRM, et al.Manipulation of number of players and bouts duration in small-sided games in youth soccer players. Sport Sci Health2021; 17: 597–605.
29.
ChristopherJBeatoMHultonAT. Manipulation of exercise to rest ratio within set duration on physical and technical outcomes during small-sided games in elite youth soccer players. Hum Mov Sci2016; 48: 1–6.
30.
ColletCNascimentoJdRamosV, et al.Construção e validação do instrumento de avaliação do desempenho técnico-tático no voleibol. Rev Bras Cineantropometria e Desempenho Hum2010; 13: 43–51.
31.
das Neves SallesWColletCPorathM, et al.Fatores associados à eficácia no desempenho das ações técnico-táticas do voleibol. Rev Bras Cineantropometria e Desempenho Hum2017; 19: 74–83
32.
PorathMColletCMilistetdM, et al.Level of technical-tactical performance of youth Volleyball teams. Motricidade2016; 12: 8–17.
33.
CohenJ. Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Hillsdale, NJ1988: 20–26.
34.
BonacichPLloydP. Eigenvector-like measures of centrality for asymmetric relations. Soc Networks2001; 23: 191–201.
35.
FreemanLC. Centrality in social networks conceptual clarification. Soc Networks1978; 1: 215–239.
36.
LaportaLValongoBAfonsoJ, et al.Game-centred study using eigenvector centrality in high-level women's Volleyball: play efficacy is independent of game patterns… Or is it?Montenegrin J Sport Sci Med2021; 10: 19–24.
37.
HurstMLoureiroMValongoB, et al.Systemic mapping of high-level women's Volleyball using social network analysis: the case of serve (K0), side-out (KI), side-out transition (KII) and transition (KIII). Int J Perform Anal Sport2016; 16: 695–710.
38.
LoureiroMHurstMValongoB, et al.A comprehensive mapping of high-level men's Volleyball gameplay through social network analysis: analysing serve, side-out, side-out transition and transition. Montenegrin J Sport Sci Med2017; 6: 35–41.
39.
ClementeFMMartinsFMLMendesRS. Social Network Analysis Applied to Team Sports Analysis, 2016; pp. 1–93. http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-319-25855-3.
40.
GiatsisGPapadopoulouS. Effects of reduction in dimensions of the court on timing characteristics for men's beach volleyball matches. Int J Volleyb Res2003; 6: 6–9.
41.
CoutinhoDGonçalvesBSantosS, et al.Effects of the pitch configuration design on players’ physical performance and movement behaviour during soccer small-sided games. Res Sport Med2019; 27: 298–313.
42.
FleayBJoyceCBanyardH, et al.Manipulating field dimensions during small-sided games impacts the technical and physical profiles of Australian footballers. J Strength Cond Res2018; 32: 2039–2044.
43.
GiatsisGPapadopoulouSDimitrovP, et al.Comparison of beach volleyball team performance parameters after a reduction in the court's dimensions. Int J Volleyb Res2003; 6: 1–5.
44.
LaportaLAfonsoJMesquitaI. Interaction network analysis of the six game complexes in high-level volleyball through the use of eigenvector centrality. PLoS One2018; 13: 1–14.
45.
AfonsoJEstevesFAraújoR, et al.Tactical determinants of setting zone in elite men's volleyball. J Sport Sci Med2012; 11: 64–70.
46.
González-SilvaJFernández-EcheverríaCConejeroM, et al.Characteristics of serve, reception and set that determine the setting efficacy in men's volleyball. Front Psychol2020; 11: 222.
47.
González-SilvaJDomínguezAMFernández-EcheverríaC, et al.Analysis of setting efficacy in young male and female volleyball players. J Hum Kinet2016; 53: 189–200.
48.
GuQZouLLoprinziPD, et al.Effects of open versus closed skill exercise on cognitive function: a systematic review. Front Psychol2019; 10: 1707.
49.
AfonsoJMesquitaIMarcelinoR, et al.Analysis of the setter's Tactical action in high-performance women's volleyball. Kinesiology2010; 42: 82–89.
50.
RonglanLTGrydelandJ. The effects of changing the rules and reducing the court dimension on the relative strengths between game actions in top international beach volleyball. Int J Perform Anal Sport2006; 6: 1–12.
51.
MahederoPCalderónAArias-EsteroJL, et al.Effects of student skill level on knowledge, decision making, skill execution and game performance in a mini-volleyball sport education season. J Teach Phys Educ2015; 34: 626–641.
52.
AraújoDDavidsK. Team synergies in sport: theory and measures. Front Psychol2016; 7: 1449.
53.
TravassosBDavidsKAraújoD, et al.Performance analysis in team sports: advances from an ecological dynamics approach. Int J Perform Anal Sport2013; 13: 83–95.
54.
PráxedesAMorenoAGil-AriasA, et al.The effect of small-sided games with different levels of opposition on the tactical behaviour of young footballers with different levels of sport expertise. PLoS One2018; 13: 1–14.
55.
CorreiaVCarvalhoJAraújoD, et al.Principles of nonlinear pedagogy in sport practice. Phys Educ Sport Pedagog2019; 24: 117–132.
