Effects of Different Tactical Formations on Positional Team Behaviors during Small Sided Games in Youth Soccer Players.

This study explored the impact of different tactical formations (TFs) on positional team behaviors in youth soccer during small sided games (SSGs). Eighteen U19 players participated in 7-a-side SSGs including goalkeepers, alternating between 2-3-1 and 3-1-2 TFs against a consistent opponent in the 3-3 TF. Positional data were collected with WIMU PRO GPS devices (Hudl, USA) to assess collective offensive and defensive dimensions that included teams´ width, length, height, the stretch index, and the surface area. The Mann-Whitney U test revealed that teams employing a 2-3-1 TF in offensive play exhibited increased height (p < 0.001; ES = 0.206), width (p = 0.006; ES = 0.113), and the surface area (p = 0.023; ES = 0.093) compared to the 3-1-2 TF. Conversely, defending with a 2-3-1 TF increased team height (p < 0.001; ES = 0.287) while decreasing length (p < 0.001; ES = 0.189), the surface area (p = 0.005; ES = 0.161), and the stretch index (p < 0.001; ES = 0.183) compared to the 3-1-2 TF. When attacking against a 2-3-1 TF, the offensive team experienced reduced height (p = 0.007; ES = 0.116) but an increased surface area (p < 0.001; ES = 0.241), width (p < 0.001; ES = 0.378) and the stretch index (p < 0.001; ES = 0.326) compared to the 3-1-2 TF. Finally, defending against a 2-3-1 TF resulted in decreased team length (p < 0.001; ES = 0.205), the surface area (p < 0.001; ES = 0.271) and the stretch index (p < 0.001; ES = 0.205) compared to defending against a 3-1-2 TF. Thus, coaches should acknowledge the significant role of TFs in modulating positional behaviors during SSGs, with relevant pedagogical implications for designing effective training sessions.