FOREWORD

In modern soccer game the integrated physical conditioning methods are increasingly spreading, that means that exercises without ball are being phased out to promote exercises in which physiological parameters and technical-tactical issues are involved together. In this frame Small-sided Games are widely used in weekly training programming. Small-sided Games are small training matches in a reduced field with a variable number of players and specific rules designed to make the exercise useful from both the physical and technical-tactical perspectives. These kind of exercises allow the athlete to practice in terms of physical conditioning of aerobic power, but the introduction of a ball and technical-tactical requests make it possible to act also on their motivational factor, thus maximizing dedication and, at the same time, reducing the perception of effort so that the training session is perceived as less hard. Small-sided Games are matches with reduced ranks and spaces in order to achieve improvements both in physical training and technique of the athletes, optimizing training times and developing tactic knowledge. Using a different number of players, changing the field size, the number of allowed ball touches, game duration and other variables, make it possible to pursue diversified objectives and, furthermore, to modify the training intensity. The starting type of Small-sided Games (SSG) consists in performing a 2 vs 2 game, which showed that the percentage compared to the maximum Heart Rate, is higher than in 3 vs 3 and 4 vs 4 games, as well as the number of ball touches, the number of successful dribblings, the number of efficient passes and shots on goal. Also the number of failed passes is lower compared to SSG performed 3 vs 3 or 4 vs 4. These results are included in the study Effects of Exercise Duration and Number of Players in Heart Rate Responses and Technical Skills During Futsal Small-sided Games and have been obtained by a scientific study on SSG played in four minutes, that is the minimum standard duration of this kind of training. This study, like many others, allows us to understand that by changing the field size, the number of involved players, the presence or absence of the goalkeeper, the number of ball touches, it is possible to influence both conditional aspects such as HR and haematic lactate, and technical aspects such as the number of passes, ball touches, tackles, scores, dribbling and other important parameters.

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