EFFECTS OF A PERIODIZED SMALL-SIDED GAME

TRAINING INTERVENTION ON PHYSICAL

PERFORMANCE IN ELITE PROFESSIONAL SOCCER
ADAM L. OWEN,1 DEL P. WONG,2 DARREN PAUL,3

AND

ALEXANDRE DELLAL4

Sports Science Department, Rangers Football Club, Glasgow, Scotland; 2Department of Health and Physical Education,
The Hong Kong Institute of Education, New Territories, Hong Kong; 3Aspetar, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital,
Doha, Qatar; and 4Olympic Lyon FC (Soccer), Lyon, France

ABSTRACT
Owen, AL, Wong, DP, Paul, D, and Dellal, A. Effects of
a periodized small-sided game training intervention on physical
performance in elite professional soccer. J Strength Cond Res
26(10): 27482754, 2012The present study examined the
effects of periodized small-sided game (SSG) training intervention during a 4-week in-season break on the physical
performance changes (i.e., speed, aerobic performance, and
repeated sprint ability) within elite European soccer players.
Fifteen, elite, male, professional players (age: 24.5 6 3.45
years; height: 181.1 6 5.78 cm; body mass: 78.7 6 7.67 kg;
V_ O2max: 54.88 6 5.25 ml
kg21
min21) from a Scottish Premier
League team participated in 7 separate SSG sessions (3 vs.
3 plus goalkeepers) of which games lasted for a 3-minute
duration for the selected number of games (ranged from 5 to
11) increasing over the intervention period. To examine the
effects of the SSG intervention on physical performance
changes, pre- and posttesting sessions took place over a 2-day
period (day 1: anthropometry and repeated sprint ability
[RSA] assessments; day 2: running economy [RE] and blood
lactate assessments). Results show that the 4-week SSG
training intervention induced significant improvement in RSA as
indicated by faster 10-m sprint time (p , 0.05, small effect),
total sprint time (p , 0.05, medium effect), and smaller
percentage decrement score (p , 0.05, medium effect).
Furthermore, the SSGs also led to an improvement in RE as
indicated through significantly reduced V_ O2 and heart rate at
running speed 9, 11, and 14 km
h21 (all ps , 0.05, large
effects). In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that
implementing a periodized SSG training intervention during the
4-week in-season break is capable of improving elite-level
soccer players physical fitness characteristics. Being able to

Address correspondence to Adam Owen, adamleeowen@rangers.co.uk.

26(10)/27482754
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
2012 National Strength and Conditioning Association

2748

the

develop physical characteristics in conjunction to technical and

tactical elements of the game, within a relatively short period,
makes SSGs an appealing proposition for fitness coaches,
players, and technical coaches alike.

KEY WORDS football, fitness training, aerobic, repeated sprint

ability, periodization, specific
INTRODUCTION

everal timemotion analysis studies have detailed

the activity profiles of professional soccer match
play (1,12). The consensus of reports shows
outfield players to cover an average distance of
9 to 12 km during a game, according to the different
positional roles (9). Although the prevalence of low-intensity
activity experienced during match play elicits a greater
reliance on aerobic metabolism (32), this is often interspersed
with important bouts of high-intensity activity and sprinting
(3,9) that coincide with decisive moments of the game (i.e.,
tackles, passes, and shots) (25).
Competing within the elite level of the sport, professional
soccer players are expected to possess well-developed
physical capabilities complementing the technical and tactical
demands of contemporary soccer (21). In particular, superior
aerobic capacity (4), muscular strength, power (41), and
repeated sprint ability (RSA) could be critical components to
combat the limited ball contacts encountered during match
play, as reported for central defenders and central attacking
midfielders competing in the English and Spanish first
division (9). However, a congested schedule, as is often found
among soccers elite clubs, often makes it problematic for
coaches attempting to simultaneous integrate these different
training parameters (25).
The supposition that small-sided games (SSGs) may
simulate the physiologic workloads and intensities commensurate of actual match play while also developing technical
and tactical proficiency has led to its popularity as a training
modality in the applied and scientific domain within recent
years (7,10,11,20,28). Specifically, from an applied perspective, the potential to increase aerobic capacity with regular

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ball involvement may satisfy the sport scientist, coach, and
players demands, thus highlighting its advantages over
generic training methods such as interval running training.
However, manipulating the pitch size, number of games
played, duration, coach encouragement, and technical
restrictions have been shown to severely alter the physical
and technical demands associated with SSG (7,10,11,20,31).
In relation to these findings, it is of paramount importance
that session design and SSGs implementation should be
performed with precision and careful consideration of the
training objective (18,34).
Conversely, the scientific evidence supporting SSG as a
useful training modality has shown cardiovascular stress and
training adaptations comparative to generic short-duration
intermittent running training (8,26). Previous research
conducted with Norwegian first division players concluded
that SSGs could induce a steady-state exercise intensity of
91% of maximal heart rate (HRmax), corresponding to about
85% of maximal oxygen uptake (V_ O2max) (24). Studies have
also shown SSG to elicit similar effects on aerobic capacity
than 7 weeks of generic training in preseason (18) or 6 or
12 weeks of interval training in youth players during a
competitive season (26,33). However, there seems a paucity
of data pertaining to the effects of SSG on physical
parameters other than maximal aerobic capacity. Moreover,
claims of SSGs do not simulate the high-intensity repeated
sprint demands of elite-level soccer that have been confined
to female soccer players (14) and warrants further scrutiny to
whether SSG can actually improve RSA test performance in
elite male soccer players.
The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of
a 4-week SSG (3 vs. 3 + GKs) training intervention over
7 sessions on the physical performance (i.e., speed, aerobic
performance, and repeated sprint ability) of elite male soccer
players during the in-season break. It was hypothesized that
an SSG training intervention would induce a greater increase
of the repeated sprint ability and sprint performance than
increases on aerobic capacity. The findings could potentially
provide valuable information to coaches for the design and
promotion of the use of SSGs as part of a periodized

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conditioning program within elite-level soccer, especially

during the in-season break.

METHODS
Experimental Approach to the Problem

To examine the changes in physical performance after the

4-week periodized SSG training intervention, all players were
tested during 2 sessions, 4 weeks apart (i.e., pre- and posttests)
(Table 1). The study was conducted during the in-season
break with players not involved within competitive fixtures
over this period. The shutdown in fixtures over the
intervention training period (4 weeks from start to finish)
was because of a combination of poor weather, international
fixtures, and a reserve team fixture break (for the nonplaying
squad players). The structured periodized training intervention was able to be controlled at this specific period of
the season to a greater level than normal because of this
nonscheduled fixture break. This period was not designed as
a recovery period as the domestic league does not have
a scheduled mid-season break but because of the cancellation
of fixtures/international breaks and nonselected players, it
was an opportunity to run the intervention.
Testing sessions took place over a 2-day period at the same
time of day to eradicate the potential effects of any circadian
variation on the participants (day 1: anthropometry and
repeated sprint ability assessments and day 2: running
economy (RE) and lactate assessments). After the pretest,
7 SSG training intervention sessions (each lasting 4590
minutes incorporating warm-up, low-intensity technical
work, SSG sessions, and cooldown) were performed within
the 4-week periodized program. In addition to SSGs, the
players performed technical tactical sessions and some injury
prevention exercises during the study period. However, these
sessions (heart rate [HR] , 85% of HRmax) were not deemed
as intense enough to induce any significant changes on the
players physical profile over a 4-week period. All players were
fully familiarized with the experimental procedures and the
requirements of the games before the present study because of
the testing and training protocols being used within the club
as part of its sports science and conditioning structure.

TABLE 1. Four-week periodized training intervention.*

Week
Week
Week
Week
Week

0
1
2
3
4

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Tech + tact
Tech + tact
Tech + tact
SSGs 7 + IP

SSGs 1 + IP
SSGs 3 + IP
SSGs 5 + IP
Tech + Tact

LITr
LITr
LITr
LITr

Pretest
Tech + tact
Tech + tact
Tech + tact
Posttest

Rest
SSGs 2 + IP
SSGs 4 + IP
SSGs 6 + IP
Rest

Pretest
LITr
LITr
LITr
Posttest

Day
Day
Day
Day
Day

off
off
off
off
off

*IP = injury prevention/activation (low-intensity work); LITr = low-intensity recovery session; SSGs = small-sided games;
Tact = tactical session (low intensity); Tech = technical session (low intensity).

VOLUME 26 | NUMBER 10 | OCTOBER 2012 |

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Effect of Small-Sided Games on Physical Performance

performed pre intervention were general football training
sessions (inclusive of low-, moderate-, and high-intensity
training sessions) depending on the training week and fixture
calendar. The players involved within this study would have
generally performed some strength (low-level prevention
sessions), tactical, technical (low intensity sessions), and
conditioning sessions (inclusive of RSA activities and aerobic
intervals). During the 4-month buildup to the start of the
intervention, the players involved within the study had
played a combination of reserve team games, first team
games, and generic football training.

TABLE 2. SSG training intervention.*

Session
progression
SSGs
SSGs
SSGs
SSGs
SSGs
SSGs
SSGs

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Progressive
overload

Total SSG
duration (min)

5 3 3-min games
6 3 3-min games
7 3 3-min games
8 3 3-min games
9 3 3-min games
10 3 3-min games
11 3 3-min games

15
18
21
24
27
30
33

Anthropometrical Assessment

*All SSGs were played in a 3 versus 3 format

(3 outfield players + 1 goalkeeper on each side) for a
3-minute duration and a 2-minute passive recovery
between bouts.

The anthropometric measurements included height, body mass,

and summation of 8 skinfold sites using Harpenden calipers
(biceps, triceps, subscapular, iliac crest, supraspinale, abdominal,
midthigh, and calf) to determine the body fat level (29).
Repeated Sprint Ability Assessments

Subjects

Fifteen, elite, male, professional soccer players (age: 24.5 6

3.45 years; height: 181.1 6 5.78 cm; body mass: 78.7 6 7.67 kg;
V_ O2max: 54.88 6 5.25 ml
kg21
min21; and sum of 8 skinfold
sites: 55.79 6 15.15 mm) from a Scottish Premier League
team volunteered for the investigation. Written informed
consent was received from all players after a brief but detailed
explanation about the aims, benefits, and risks involved with
this investigation. Players were told they were free to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. The study
was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki, and
the protocol was fully approved by the Sports Science
Department at Rangers Football Club before the commencement of the assessments. The players had refrained from
vigorous high-intensity exercise 24 hours before the testing
sessions. During the study, all players were instructed to
maintain normal daily food and water intake and no dietary
interventions were undertaken. The training sessions

After a standardized warm-up, which involved running at

10 km
h21 at 70% HRmax for 10 minutes followed by 5minute bursts of self-selected running and stretching, players
performed the RSA assessment consisting of 6 3 20-m
maximal sprints, with a 25-second active recovery period to
walk back to the start (15). The sprint time was measured
using photocells (0.01-second precision; Brower Timing
Systems, UT, USA) placed at the start, 10, and 20 m at the
height of 1 m. The players started 0.7 m behind the starting
gate. Repeated sprint ability was analyzed by 3 methods: (a)
the fastest sprint time (FST) among the sprints, (b) total
sprint time (TST), and (c) percentage decrement score
(%Decre). The TST was used as it has been recommended
by previous study of RSA in soccer players (44). The %Decre
was selected as it was recently reported as the most valid and
reliable method of quantifying fatigue in RSA test (16).
Concerning the FST of 20 m, the associated 10-m split time
was also selected for analysis.
Submaximal Treadmill Test

TABLE 3. Effects of SSG training on fitness parameters (n = 15).

Pre

Post

RSA, s
10-m FST
1.77 6 0.07
1.75 6 0.05*
20-m FST
3.08 6 0.11
3.06 6 0.09
TST
18.96 6 0.68 18.61 6 0.56*
%Decre
2.43 6 1.42
1.48 6 1.11*
Skinfold
60.23 6 16.21 59.23 6 14.78*
thickness, mm

95% CI

Effect
size/magnitude

0.000.04
0.000.06
0.190.51
0.121.79
0.974.83

0.35/small
0.27/small
0.57/medium
0.75/medium
0.06/trivial

CI = confidence interval; FST = fastest sprint time; RSA = repeated-sprint ability;

TST = total sprint time; %Decre = percentage decrement score.
*p , 0.05.

2750

the

Before commencing the treadmill test, each player performed

a 5-minute jogging warm-up on
the motorized treadmill (Technogym, Run 500 model, Italy) at
a velocity that elicited approximately 60% of the players
HRmax, which was obtained
from the players previous maximal treadmill test. Thereafter,
the players performed 5 minutes
of individually selected stretching exercises. After this warmup, each player performed
a submaximal running test at
3% gradient for 3 individual 3minute running stages (stage 1:

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TABLE 4. Effects of SSG training on submaximal aerobic performance (n = 15).

V_ O2, ml
min
kg

9 km
h21, 3%
11 km
h21, 3%
14 km
h21, 3%
RER
9 km
h21, 3%
11 km
h21, 3%
14 km
h21, 3%
RR
9 km
h21, 3%
11 km
h21, 3%
14 km
h21, 3%
HR, b
min21
9 km
h21, 3%
11 km
h21, 3%
14 km
h21, 3%
Blood lactate, mmol
L21
21

Pre

Post

95% CI

Effect size/magnitude

31.90 6 1.74
43.96 6 2.24
52.03 6 3.88

30.23 6 1.66*
42.01 6 2.37*
49.81 6 4.54*

0.37 to 2.98
0.98 to 2.94
0.65 to 3.79

0.98/large
0.85/large
0.53/medium

0.84 6 0.05
0.95 6 0.04
1.10 6 0.04

0.85 6 0.04
0.95 6 0.04
1.06 6 0.06

0.04 to 0.04
0.03 to 0.04
0.01 to 0.08

0.00/trivial
0.06/trivial
0.68/medium

34.54 6 9.08
39.00 6 8.14
48.38 6 7.30

32.26 6 10.34
35.93 6 8.40*
45.43 6 9.72*

21.16 to 6.70
1.67 to 6.02
0.02 to 7.36

0.22/small
0.37/small
0.34/small

14.64 to 23.36
11.72 to 19.13
4.95 to 17.19
20.89 to 0.74

1.46/large
1.38/large
1.06/large
0.06/trivial

21

145.79 6 13.93
170.07 6 11.36
184.43 6 9.46
4.726 1.23

126.79 6
154.64 6
173.36 6
4.80 6

11.93*
11.03*
11.38*
1.39

CI = confidence interval; HR = heart rate; RER = respiratory exchange ratio; RR = respiratory rate; V_ O2 = oxygen uptake.
*p , 0.05.

9 km
h21; stage 2: 11 km
h21; and stage 3: 14 km
h21). HR

responses (Polar Team System, Kempele, Finland), oxygen
uptake (V_ O2) (Medgraphics, London, United Kingdom),
respiratory exchange ratio (RER), respiratory rate (RR), and
blood lactate samples were taken at the last 15 seconds
of each exercise stage. Capillary blood samples were
withdrawn from the players thumb and analyzed for whole
blood lactate using an Analox GM7 analyzer (Analox
Instruments, London, UK). The V_ O2 value obtained at the
end of each stage from this test represented the RE of the
players.
Small-Sided Game Training Intervention

All games were preceded by a standardized warm-up of

12 minutes followed by a 3-minute passive recovery. During
this period, players were informed to only consume water
if needed. All games were carried out on an outdoor grass field
with an average temperature of 16 6 1.74 C. The SSGs
consisted of teams of 3 outfield players plus a goalkeeper
being played on a 30 3 25-m pitch (area per player = 125 m2)
for a 3-minute duration for the selected number of games
increasing over the intervention period (Table 2). No specific
tactical conditions were placed on players within the games,
and a large number of soccer balls were placed in each net
with play always starting with the goalkeepers when the ball
went out of play to aid in a rapid continuation of play.
Statistical Analyses

Data are expressed as mean 6 SD. The normal distribution of

the data was checked using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. After
confirming normal distribution, paired sample t-test was used

to compare the difference between pre- and posttest. Significant

level was defined as p # 0.05. Effect size (Cohens d) was
calculated to determine the practical difference between SSG
and large-sided games. Effect size values of 0 to 0.19, 0.20 to 0.49,
0.50 to 0.79, and 0.8 and above were considered to represent
trivial, small, medium, and large differences, respectively (5).

RESULTS
There was a trivial effect of SSG training on skinfold thickness
(Table 3). Concerning the RSA, 4 weeks of SSGs induced
significant improvement in RSA as indicated by faster 10-m
FST (p , 0.05, small effect, Table 3), TST (p , 0.05, medium
effect), and smaller %Decre (p , 0.05, medium effect).
Concerning the submaximal aerobic performance (Table 4),
4 weeks of SSG training significantly reduced the V_ O2 at the
running speed of 9 (p , 0.05, large effect), 11 (p , 0.05, large
effect), and 14 km
h21 (p , 0.05, medium effect). Moreover, it
also significantly lowered the HR responses at the running
speed of 9, 11, and 14 km
h21 (all ps , 0.05, large effects).
There were small to trivial effects on RER, RR, and blood
lactate (La) after 4 weeks of small-sided training games.

DISCUSSION
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of
a 4-week SSG training intervention on physical fitness
performance measures in elite, adult, professional, soccer
players during the in-season break. The main findings
revealed that the training intervention significantly improved
players repeated sprint ability, sprint performance (TST and
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Effect of Small-Sided Games on Physical Performance

%Decre, Table 3), and RE, which is presented as a reduced
V_ O2 and HR when running at submaximal levels of 9, 11,
and 13 km
h21 (Table 4). It appears from our findings, that
the periodized SSG training intervention could have a positive effect on both the anaerobic and aerobic system during
the in-season break.
The findings from the present study add to the emerging
paradigm of research that has identified SSG as an alternative
training modality to generic drills (e.g., interval running
training) capable of improving physical fitness characteristics
in elite senior soccer players. Corroborative studies have
shown a 7-week preseason training period of SSG to significantly improve Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test performance, although not V_ O2max (18), while a 3% improvement
in RE has been found in youth players after 12 (4 weeks
preseason and 8 weeks in-season) weeks of SSG (26). Despite
similar trends being shown, it would seem futile to compare
the results from the present study to those previously
conducted, particularly given that metabolic and physical
stressors have shown to vary greatly when manipulating the
SSG training variables (e.g., pitch dimensions, number of
players, coach encouragement) and the subsequent differences in research methodologies innate within the literature.
The inclusion of an RSA test as a measure of performance in
the applied and research domain is substantiated by reported
similarities of its physiological characteristics with high-speed
sprinting performed during actual match play (31). Performing repetitive sprint efforts, change of direction, kicking,
tackling, and dribbling are characteristics likely to severely
exacerbate the physiologic strain during SSG. Yet this may
offer an auxiliary physical stimulus because the ability to
perform technical and tactical requirements under fatigued
conditions is considered important for soccer (25). In addition, despite repeated sprinting drills and interval training
(15 3 15 seconds at 120% of maximal aerobic speed) shown
to concurrently improve sprint, vertical jump, V_ O2, and RSA
during preseason and in-season training (13,43), such drills
do not offer the motivation or enjoyment for players compared with those including a ball and failing to imitate the
unorthodox movements commonly associated with SSG
(20), further limiting any comparisons. As a result, the present
study is unique as it revealed a 4-week periodized program
of SSGs (3 vs. 3) that improved measures of RSA and RE
during the mid-phase of the season at an elite level of
professional soccer.
The ability to recover from intense bouts of repeated sprint
effort is deemed critical during intermittent sports such as
soccer and can be facilitated by a superior aerobic energy
system (2). During the recovery phase, V_ O2 is elevated to
restore metabolic processes to preexercise conditions. The
adaptations associated with an increased level of aerobic
fitness may facilitate the recovery process and subsequent
sprint performance by providing aerobically derived energy
at a faster rate during the recovery period (38,39). Possessing
an elevated aerobic capacity is also associated with adjunct

2752

the

higher glycogen stores necessary for energy release during

intense bouts of activity (21). The benefits of an 11%
improvement of V_ O2max found in youth soccer players has
shown to culminate in greater involvement with the ball,
total distance covered, and a 100% increase in the number
of sprints performed during match play (36). Research has
also shown a high aerobic capacity to be correlated with RSA
(2) and team success (42), thus further advocating the
advantages of a superior V_ O2max.
On attaining a good aerobic base, any further changes in
fitness level experienced during the season may be better
detected through submaximal indices of aerobic fitness, such
as RE and corresponding blood lactate concentration (26).
Running economy may differ as much as 20% between
individuals with similar V_ O2max (6), attributed to, among
other factors, mechanical and neuromuscular skill, storage
of elastic energy, and anatomical traits (35). Impellizzeri et al.
(26) found SSG to be equally as effective as training without
the ball in improving RE and V_ O2max. Also, the potential
training effect of SSG and interval training has shown to
lower HR (by 9 b
min21) at 7 km
h21 and subsequently
improve RE by 14% at this speed (4). The greater gains found
in the study by Chamari et al. (4) might be because of the
different baseline fitness levels of the participants. Decreasing
the energetic cost at a sustained workload may culminate in
a reduced oxygen demand that may allow players to either
exercise at a lower HR or similar HR but with greater
intensity (19). Theoretically, an approximately 5% improvement in RE could decipher an extra 1,000 m covered during
a soccer match (37). All of which could be considered
desirable characteristics during 90 minutes of physically
exertive match play. Nevertheless, in the present study, the
significant improvement in RE (4.275.24%) shows that
SSGs are comparable to results achieved through strength
training (22,23) in the development of RE. Yet despite the
present findings advocating RE as a sensitive measure of
fitness during the mid-stage of the season, it is questionable
whether these improvements are transferable to work
economy and specific soccer movements such as high-speed
sprinting, arced runs, or change of direction (17). Furthermore,
it would be injudicious to suggest that the improved RE would
equate to a concomitant increase in the players V_ O2max.
Because the intensity of SSG can be severely altered by
manipulating the exercise type, field dimensions, coach
encouragement, and number of players involved (31,40),
the present study reaffirms the necessity for fitness coaches to
carefully consider the training objective when implementing
SSG drills. For example, the influence the number of players
can have on intensity is highlighted by research showing
configurations of 3-a-side to elicit a lower blood lactate
response comparable to SSGs comprising even fewer players
(e.g., 1 vs. 1 and 2 vs. 2) (27). Rampinini et al. (31) found
intraparticipant variability to be much greater for blood
lactate concentration than mean HR during high-intensity
bouts of SSG. This emphasizes the need to standardize coach

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encouragement to improve the reproducibility between
different bouts and sessions of SSG. The same study by
Koklu et al. (27) also showed HR and %HRmax to be greater
during 3- and 4-a-side than games of 1- and 2-a-side.
Correspondingly, greater HR values have been shown during
SSG of 3 vs. 3 compared with 5 vs. 5 (30). Platt et al. (30)
suggested that this may be because of the greater total
distance covered, high-intensity activity, tackling, dribbling
passing, and goal attempts encountered during the 3-a-side
game. Regardless, it seems that exercising at intensities close
to or above 90% of HRmax is required to improve aerobic
fitness in highly trained soccer players (37).
The present study was conducted during the mid-phase of
the season and comprised players not involved in competitive
fixtures but still engaged in training. Admittedly, the lack of
control group debilitates the findings and it could be argued
that the gains in physical performance, as measured by
RSA and RE, were attributed to the technical and tactical
elements of training during the intervention period. However,
it is worth noting that the SSGs were the only high-intensity
sessions (e.g., .90%HRmax) performed during this period.
Therefore, it can be inferred that physical improvements
exhibited during a 4-week within-season SSG training
intervention may culminate in greater fitness levels of physical
qualities displayed during actual competitive match play.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
The present study demonstrates that implementing a 4-week
periodized SSG training intervention can improve physical
fitness characteristics of elite professional soccer players
during the in-season break. Being able to develop the physical
profile of players, within a relatively short period, while
encompassing technical and tactical elements, makes SSG an
appealing proposition for fitness coaches, players, and
coaches alike. Subsequently, the ability to perform repeated
sprints is considered important during intermittent sports
such as soccer, and the ability to improve repeated sprint
ability during soccer-specific games can positively promote
the need to integrate SSGs as part of elite soccer clubs
in-season conditioning program instead of generic nonspecific
drills or sessions, when there is no official match scheduled.
Despite the potential advantages of SSG, care should be
considered when implementing this training method in
a periodized program. An overreliance on this training
method may mask specific weaknesses within a players
profile and requires stringent control and standardization of
influential factors (e.g., duration, pitch sizes) to avoid potential
overtraining effects. The practical implications may be further
enhanced by quantifying the optimal load and intensities of
SSG alongside other forms of training that more specifically
represents the day-to-day activity within a professional soccer
club. In addition, in-season training load should be monitored
to prevent players from overreaching and overtraining.
Coaches could use SSGs during the in-season break to
continually develop the physical, technical, and tactical

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components of the game in conjunction to each other rather

than in isolation.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Results of the present study do not constitute endorsement of
the product by the authors or the National Strength and
Conditioning Association.

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