Small-Sided Games in Elite Football: Practical Solutions Without Goalkeepers to Replicate the 4-min Match-Derived Maximal Intensities
The purpose of the study was to determine the area per player to replicate the maximal 4-min match-play period using small-sided or large-sided games lasting the same duration in elite football players.
The purpose of the study was to determine the area per player to replicate the maximal 4-min match-play period using small-sided or large-sided games lasting the same duration in elite football players. Twenty players competing in European championship and international UEFA competitions were monitored during SSGs with or without goalkeepers. A total of 1,724 and 561 individual observations for SSGs with and without goalkeepers across 99 and 34 different SSGs formats were undertaken. Whole and 4-min-Peak match demands were calculated. Relative total, high-speed, very high-speed, sprint, and acceleration/deceleration distance were collected.