Demands and variability in free,restricted area,and positional role for small-sided games: Effects of presentation order within sessions

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of different tactical setups in small-sided games on perceptual and locomotor demands, and to evaluate the impact of session timing (beginning vs. end) on variability within and between conditions. Twenty young soccer players participated in 3 small-sided games with 6 conditions: free roles (SSG_FREE), positional tactical roles (SSG_POS), and restricted areas (SSG_RA), applied at the beginning and end of the session. Perceptual and locomotor responses were measured. All games were played in a 30 × 50 m area, and locomotor data were collected using GPS devices. SSG_FREE resulted in lower RPE than positional formats, with higher RPE at the session's end in SSG_POS and SSG_RA (p < 0.05). Players in SSG_FREE covered more TD than in positional setups, and SSG_POS showed greater TD than SSG_RA at the beginning (p < 0.05). VHSD was higher in SSG_POS, particularly at the session's end (p < 0.05). Higher TD, ACC, and VHSD were observed at the beginning of the session across all formats, with greater variability between sets (p < 0.05). Coaches should schedule free-play tasks early to reduce perceived effort and tactical drills later to increase intensity, fatigue, and variability.