Comparison of Different Coach Competition Micro-Cycle Planning Strategies in Professional Soccer

Coaches propose training strategies to develop their playing model, but the impact on the conditional demand of players is unknown. The objective of this study aimed to assess the conditional demands associated with five competitive micro-cycle (Mi) planning strategies put forth by professional soccer coaches. The dependent locomotor variables were: total distance traveled (TD, in m), high-speed running distance (TD21, >21 km·h−1, in m), sprint distance (TD27, >27 km·h−1, in m), acceleration load (aLoaD, in AU) and number of accelerations (ACC2, >2 m·s−2 in n) and decelerations (DEC2, <−2 m·s−2 in n). The activity profile of the players was monitored during each training session using a global positioning system (GPS) during four seasons (2018–2019 to 2021–2022). Regardless of the coach, the sessions furthest from Mi (MD+1, MD-4 and MD-3) were the most conditionally demanding, where TD27 was especially stimulated on MD-3 (ES = 0.7, 0.2/1.2, mean and range; p < 0.05); furthermore, MD-2 was the least demanding session of all the trainers (ES = −2.4, −2.6/−1.5, mean and range; p < 0.01). However, there were nuances regarding the conditional demand among the coaches: Co1 and Co2 proposed a higher conditional demand in the MD-2 and MD-1 sessions (p < 0.05). The conclusion was twofold: elite soccer coaches proposed a horizontal alternation in the weekly distribution of training stimuli; nevertheless, the differences in the style of play of each coach affected the week-planning strategy

Validation of a Football Competence Observation System (FOCOS), Linked to Procedural Tactical Knowledge

The use of instruments for the evaluation of a player’s procedural tactical knowledge (PTK) in sociomotor sports, such as football, is a line of research of growing interest since it allows a pertinent description of the player’s football competence. The aim of this study is to configure and validate an ad-hoc observational tool that allows evaluating the player’s PTK, understood as football competence, from the observation, coding and recording of the roles, the actions of the acquired subroles and the operational and specific principles of football in the attack and defense phases. Based on the Delphi method, a field format coding instrument was designed and validated where each criterion is a system of categories, exhaustive and mutually exclusive. The results showed excellent content validity (9.02 out of 10), and high values of intra-observer stability (k = 0.747) and inter-observer agreement (k = 0.665). Generalizability analysis showed an excellent reliability (G = 0.99). Additionally, the construct validity of the tool was calculated through a small-sided game Gk + 4v4 + Gk, using two independent samples: semi-professional and amateur players. The results reflected significant differences (α < 0.05) between both samples in the variables total score, offensive score and defensive score. Therefore, this study provides a valid and reliable instrument that allows data collection in a rigorous and pertinent way, as well as their analysis and evaluation in attack and defense according to the roles of the players and based on the motor behaviors that they perform using the subroles that they acquired, associated with the technical dimension, along with the principles that they develop in parallel, in support of the tactical dimension.The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of a Spanish government subproject Mixed method approach on performance analysis (in training and competition) in elite and academy sport [PGC2018-098742-B-C33] (2019-2021) [del Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MCIU), la Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)], that is part of the coordinated project New approach of research in physical activity and sport from mixed methods perspective (NARPAS_MM) [SPGC201800X098742CV0]

Average Game Physical Demands and the Most Demanding Scenarios of Basketball Competition in Various Age Groups

The purpose of this study was to compare average physical demands and the most demanding 60-s scenarios of basketball match-play between five different age groups. Sixty-four male basketball players from five different age groups were monitored across eight regular-season home games. Physical demands were examined using a local positioning system and included total distance covered, distance >18 km.h(-1), the number of accelerations (>= 2 m.s(-2)) and decelerations (18 km.h(-1) in basketball players was assessed. More specifically, the Under-12 age group achieved the lowest values and showed significant differences with the other four teams in both game analysis techniques (p < .001; effect size = 0.53 - 1.32). In conclusion, average game demands are shown to remarkably underestimate the most demanding scenarios of basketball match-play, and there are multiple significant differences between particular age groups.The authors of this article would like to thank the basketball players who took part in this study and all the FC Barcelona performance department staff members who assisted in player monitoring. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the support of a Spanish government subproject Mixed method approach in performance analysis (in training and competition) in elite and academy sport [PGC2018-098742-B-C33] [Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovacion y Universidades (MCIU), la Agencia Estatal de Investigacion (AEI) y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)]), which is part of the New approach of research in physical activity and sport from mixed methods perspective (NARPAS_MM) [SPGC201800X098742CV0] coordinated project

Physical demands in three different basketball competitions played by the same under-18 players

[EN] The goal of this study was to compare the physical demands of the same team in three different basketball com- petitions (EBA league (EBA), U18 regional league (U18L), and a U18 international tournament (U18T)) during the same season. Data from eleven U18 players (age: 16.92 ± 0.67 years) were collected using inertial movement units. As external load variables, Player Load (PL), accelerations (ACC), decelerations (DEC), changes of direction (COD), and jumps (JUMP) were expressed in their total (t) and high intensity (h) values. The analysis of variances (ANOVA) and effect size (ES, Cohen’s d) with their respective 90% confidence intervals were applied to identify differences between the competitions. U18T showed the highest values in PL, tACC, tDEC, hDEC, tCOD, tJUMP, and hJUMP (small to moderate ES). However, the hACC and hCOD values were greater in EBA (small ES) than in U18L and U18T. In conclusion, all three competitions presented different external load demands for the same group of players. This data could help basketball coaches to optimize the training process based on the competition in which their team plays. Furthermore, data could also indicate the most suitable competition for players’ development

Assessment of a New Change of Direction Detection Algorithm Based on Inertial Data

The purpose of this study was to study the validity and reproducibility of an algorithm capable of combining information from Inertial and Magnetic Measurement Units (IMMUs) to detect changes of direction (COD). Five participants wore three devices at the same time to perform five CODs in three different conditions: angle (45°, 90°, 135° and 180°), direction (left and right), and running speed (13 and 18 km/h). For the testing, the combination of different % of smoothing applied to the signal (20%, 30% and 40%) and minimum intensity peak (PmI) for each event (0.8 G, 0.9 G, and 1.0 G) was applied. The values recorded with the sensors were contrasted with observation and coding from video. At 13 km/h, the combination of 30% smoothing and 0.9 G PmI was the one that showed the most accurate values (IMMU1: Cohen’s d (d) = −0.29;%Diff = −4%; IMMU2: d = 0.04 %Diff = 0%, IMMU3: d = −0.27, %Diff = 13%). At 18 km/h, the 40% and 0.9 G combination was the most accurate (IMMU1: d = −0.28; %Diff = −4%; IMMU2 = d = −0.16; %Diff = −1%; IMMU3 = d = −0.26; %Diff = −2%). The results suggest the need to apply specific filters to the algorithm based on speed, in order to accurately detect COD.The authors are grateful for the support received from the Government of Spain in the sub-project “Mixed methods approach in performance analysis (in training and competition) in elite and academy sports” [PGC2018-098742-B-C33] (Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, State Program for Knowledge Generation and Scientific and Technological Strengthening of the R+D+i System)

Evaluating Physical and Tactical Performance and Their Connection during Female Soccer Matches Using Global Positioning Systems

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the tactical and physical performance during official matches of a women’s soccer league and to correlate both dimensions in periods of 15 min. To do this, eight official matches of a semi-professional soccer team belonging to the Women’s Second Division of Spain (Reto Iberdrola) were analysed during the 2020–2021 season. The variables recorded were classified into two dimensions: tactical variables (i.e., Width, Length, Height and Surface Area) and physical variables (i.e., Total Distance Covered (TD), Total Distance Covered in High-Speed Running (HSR) and Total Distance Covered in Sprint). The main results were: (1) there were no differences between the periods in any of the tactical dimension variables; (2) in the physical dimension, a significant decrease in TD and HSR was described at the end of the match (period 60–75); and (3) some positive correlations were found among some variables of the tactical and physical dimension at the beginning and at the end of the match (periods 0–15, 60–75 and 75–90). The findings of the study suggest that connecting the tactical and physical dimension in the interpretation of team performance would allow for a better understanding of player and team performance and during competition.This study was supported by the Spanish government subproject Mixed-method approach on performance analysis (in training and competition) in elite and academy sport [PGC2018-098742-B-C33] (2019-2021) (Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MCIU), la Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)), that is part of the coordinated project New approach of research in physical activity and sport from mixed-methods perspective (NARPAS_MM) [SPGC201800X098742CV0]

Number of Players and Relative Pitch Area per Player: Comparing Their Influence on Heart Rate and Physical Demands in Under-12 and Under-13 Football Players

The aim of the present study is to analyse the influence of different large-sided games (LSGs) on the physical and physiological variables in under-12s (U12) and -13s (U13) soccer players. The effects of the combination of different number of players per team, 7, 9, and 11 (P7, P9, and P11, respectively) with three relative pitch areas, 100, 200, and 300 m(2) (A100, A200, and A300, respectively), were analysed in this study. The variables analysed were: 1) global indicator such as total distance (TD); work:rest ratio (W:R); player-load (PL) and maximal speed (V-max); 2) heart rate (HR) mean and time spent in different intensity zones of HR (90%), and; 3) five absolute (16 Km h(-1)) and three relative speed categories (60% V-max). The results support the theory that a change in format (player number and pitch dimensions) affects no similarly in the two players categories. Although it can seem that U13 players are more demanded in this kind of LSG, when the work load is assessed from a relative point of view, great pitch dimensions and/or high number of player per team are involved in the training task to the U12 players. The results of this study could alert to the coaches to avoid some types of LSGs for the U12 players such as:P11 played in A100, A200 or A300, P9 played in A200 or A300 and P7 played in A300 due to that U13>U12 in several physical and physiological variables (W:R, time spent in 84-90% HRmax, distance in 8-13 and 13-16 Km h(-1) and time spent in 40-60% V-max). These results may help youth soccer coaches to plan the progressive introduction of LSGs so that task demands are adapted to the physiological and physical development of participants.This work was supported by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) project EHU12/14 "Evaluacion del proceso de entrenamiento y la competicion en el futbol de formacion" during the period 2012-14 [Code 13523]

Different Sampling Frequencies to Calculate Collective Tactical Variables during Competition: A Case of an Official Female’s Soccer Match

The objective of the study was to assess the impact of the sampling frequency on the outcomes of collective tactical variables during an official women’s soccer match. To do this, the first half (lasting 46 min) of an official league match of a semi-professional soccer team belonging to the Women’s Second Division of Spain (Reto Iberdrola) was analysed. The collective variables recorded were classified into three main groups: point-related variable (i.e., change in geometrical centre position (cGCp)), distance-related variables (i.e., width, length, height, distance from the goalkeeper to the near defender and mean distance between players), and area-related variables (i.e., surface area). Each variable was measured using eight different sampling frequencies: data every 100 (10 Hz), 200 (5 Hz), 250 (4 Hz), 400 (2.5 Hz), 500 (2 Hz), 1000 (1 Hz), 2000 (0.5 Hz), and 4000 ms (0.25 Hz). With the exception of cGCp, the outcomes of the collective tactical variables did not vary depending on the sampling frequency used (p > 0.05; Effect Size < 0.001). The results suggest that a sampling frequency of 0.5 Hz would be sufficient to measure the collective tactical variables that assess distance and area during an official soccer match.This study was supported by the Spanish government subproject Mixed method approach on performance analysis (in training and competition) in elite and academy sport [PGC2018-098742-B-C33] (2019-2021) [Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (MCIU), la Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)], that is part of the coordinated project New approach of research in physical activity and sport from mixed methods perspective (NARPAS_MM) [SPGC201800X098742CV0]

Analysis of the success in soccer match officials' decisions during an international tournament according to contextual factors

[EN] This study examined the reliability of the ARBI.e tool as a notational system to observe, code and analyse match officials decisions in soccer, and analysed the degree of success in referee decisions during an international tournament according to contextual factors (e.g., period of the match, competition phase and score) and the zone of the soccer field. Sixty international field referees (FR) and assistant referees (AR) were analysed in this study. Referee decisions were registered during thirty soccer matches of an international tournament and categorized (e.g., FR, AR and other decisions) for further analysis. The tool ARBI.e was an ad hoc tool created by the authors to assess match official decisions. Cohen's Kappa statistic showed values of 0.914-1.00 and 0.827-1.00 for intra-observer and inter-observer analysis, respectively. Despite the high level of success in both FR and AR (95%), some decisions, such as simulations or offside, showed substantially lower success values (64% and 92%, respectively). Besides, match officials' decisions success was not influenced by the period of the match, tournament phase and score or indeed by the zone of the soccer field. The results obtained suggest the need to include activities based on decision-making skills, mainly in simulations, in training programs to optimize international match officials' decision making[ES] Este estudio examinó la confiabilidad de la herramienta ARBI.e como sistema notacional para observar, codificar y analizar las decisiones en partidos oficiales de fútbol, y analizó el grado de éxito en las decisiones arbitrales durante un torneo oficial atendiendo a factores contextuales (p.e., periodo del partido, fase de la competición y marcador) y a la zona del campo. Sesenta árbitros internacionales (FR) y asistentes (AR) fueron analizados en este estudio. Las decisiones arbitrales fueron registradas durante 30 partidos de fútbol, pertenecientes a un torneo internacional, los cuales se categorizaron (p.e., FR, AR y otras decisiones) para el posterior análisis. La herramienta ad hoc ARBI.e fue creada por los autores para valorar las decisiones arbitrales. El coeficiente Kappa de Cohen mostró valores desde 0,914 a 1,00 y desde 0,827 a 1,00 para el análisis intra-observador e inter-observador, respectivamente. A pesar del alto nivel de éxito en ambos grupos, FR y AR (95%), algunas decisiones, como las simulaciones o fuera de juego, mostraron un valor de éxito sustancialmente menor (64% y 92%, respectivamente). Por otro lado, el éxito en las decisiones durante los partidos oficiales no estuvo influenciado por el periodo del partido, la fase del torneo y el resultado, ni por la zona del campo en la que tenía lugar la acción. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren que es necesario incluir actividades basadas en habilidades de toma de decisiones, principalmente simulaciones, en programas de entrenamiento para optimizar la toma de decisiones durante los partidos oficiales