Research Article

The Effect of Tactical Small-Sided Games on Anaerobic Performance in Football

Volume: 9 Number: 2 August 30, 2025
EN TR

The Effect of Tactical Small-Sided Games on Anaerobic Performance in Football

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of tactical small-sided games (SSGs), designed according to the specific phases of play in football attack, defense, and transitions on anaerobic performance. Method: The study involved a total of 43 young male football players, divided into three groups: 16 participants in the tactical SSG group (age: 14.81±0.40 years, height: 172.88±4.98 cm, body weight: 59.51±5.04 kg, BMI: 19.89±1.15 kg/m²), 16 in the SSG group (age: 15.69±0.48 years, height: 177.46±7.86 cm, body weight: 67.08±7.14 kg, BMI: 21.27±1.45 kg/m²), and 11 in the control group (age: 14±0 years, height: 167.68±6.74 cm, body weight: 52.64±6.67 kg, BMI: 18.66±1.51 kg/m²). The study was conducted over 8 weeks, with training sessions performed twice per week. The tactical group implemented small-sided games that incorporated structured adaptations for attacking, defending, and transitional phases, whereas the small-sided group participated in sessions without any tactical interventions. The control group continued football training routine. All small-sided games were conducted in two formats: 5v5 with 2 goalkeepers on a 40x52 m² pitch, and 3v3 with 2 goalkeepers on a 30x40 m² pitch. Each game was conducted in four 3-minute bouts, with 1-minute rest intervals between repetitions. Anaerobic performance was assessed using a Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) before and after the training program. According to the Skewness-Kurtosis method, the data were found to be normally distributed. One-way ANOVA test was used for between-group comparisons. Results: After 8 weeks, the greatest improvement in anaerobic performance was observed in the tactical group, followed by the SSG group (p<0.05). No significant improvement was detected in the control group (p>0.05). However, the fatigue index showed a numerical increase in all three groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Tactical small-sided games conducted over 8 weeks were demonstrated to be more effective in improving anaerobic performance compared to SSGs.

Keywords

References

  1. Adamczyk, J. (2011). The estimation of the RAST test usefulness in monitoring the anaerobic capacity of sprinters in athletics. Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism, 18(3), 214-218.
  2. Akyuz, C., & Camliguney, A. F. (2020). The Impact of 8-Week Deceleration Training on Dynamic Balance Skills of Young Soccer Players. Journal of Educational Issues, 6(1), 383-394.
  3. Ansori MK, Tomoliyus, Sudarko RA, Primasoni N, Widodo H, Emayanti Anggraeni. Effect of small-sided game versus high-intensity interval training method in increasing anaerobic endurance in youth football athletes (15-17 years). Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports, 2024;28(5):353–359. https://doi.org/10.15561/26649837.2024.0503
  4. Apriliyanto, R. (2019). Pengaruh Pelatihan Small Sided Games Terhadap Peningkatan Kapasitas Aerobik Maksimal Dan Keterampilan Dribbling Pada Pemain Sepakbola. Biormatika: Jurnal ilmiah fakultas keguruan dan ilmu pendidikan, 5(01), 56-64.
  5. Arslan E, Orer G, Clemente F. Running-based high-intensity interval training vs. small-sided game training programs: effects on the physical performance, psychophysiological responses and technical skills in young soccer players. Biology of Sport, 2020;37(2): 165–173. https://doi.org/10.5114/ biolsport.2020.94237
  6. Bangsbo, J., Iaia, FM., & Krustrup, P. (2007). Metabolic response and fatigue in soccer. Int J Sports Physiol Perform, 2(111), 27.
  7. Bangsbo, J., Mohr, M., & Krustrup, P. (2006). Physical and metabolic demands of training and match-play in the elite football player. J Sports Sci, 24(7), 665–674.
  8. Bravo, D. F., Impellizzeri, F. M., Rampinini, E., Castagna, C., Bishop, D., & Wisloff, U. (2008). Sprint vs. interval training in football. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 29(8). https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-989371

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sports Training

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

August 26, 2025

Publication Date

August 30, 2025

Submission Date

April 21, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 26, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: 2

APA
Akyüz, C., & Çamlıgüney, A. F. (2025). The Effect of Tactical Small-Sided Games on Anaerobic Performance in Football. Spor Eğitim Dergisi, 9(2), 266-277. https://doi.org/10.55238/seder.1680474
AMA
1.Akyüz C, Çamlıgüney AF. The Effect of Tactical Small-Sided Games on Anaerobic Performance in Football. Journal of Sports Education. 2025;9(2):266-277. doi:10.55238/seder.1680474
Chicago
Akyüz, Cem, and Asiye Filiz Çamlıgüney. 2025. “The Effect of Tactical Small-Sided Games on Anaerobic Performance in Football”. Spor Eğitim Dergisi 9 (2): 266-77. https://doi.org/10.55238/seder.1680474.
EndNote
Akyüz C, Çamlıgüney AF (August 1, 2025) The Effect of Tactical Small-Sided Games on Anaerobic Performance in Football. Spor Eğitim Dergisi 9 2 266–277.
IEEE
[1]C. Akyüz and A. F. Çamlıgüney, “The Effect of Tactical Small-Sided Games on Anaerobic Performance in Football”, Journal of Sports Education, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 266–277, Aug. 2025, doi: 10.55238/seder.1680474.
ISNAD
Akyüz, Cem - Çamlıgüney, Asiye Filiz. “The Effect of Tactical Small-Sided Games on Anaerobic Performance in Football”. Spor Eğitim Dergisi 9/2 (August 1, 2025): 266-277. https://doi.org/10.55238/seder.1680474.
JAMA
1.Akyüz C, Çamlıgüney AF. The Effect of Tactical Small-Sided Games on Anaerobic Performance in Football. Journal of Sports Education. 2025;9:266–277.
MLA
Akyüz, Cem, and Asiye Filiz Çamlıgüney. “The Effect of Tactical Small-Sided Games on Anaerobic Performance in Football”. Spor Eğitim Dergisi, vol. 9, no. 2, Aug. 2025, pp. 266-77, doi:10.55238/seder.1680474.
Vancouver
1.Cem Akyüz, Asiye Filiz Çamlıgüney. The Effect of Tactical Small-Sided Games on Anaerobic Performance in Football. Journal of Sports Education. 2025 Aug. 1;9(2):266-77. doi:10.55238/seder.1680474

Journal of Sports Education © 2017 by Ibrahim Erdemir is licensed under CC BY 4.0