The impact of different game formats on players’ and team performance in youth soccer competitions

The study aimed to investigate the impact of game formats on the running and technical–tactical performance of young soccer players, as well as on players’ dynamics of spatial occupation during competitions. Eleven players of a U-11 team (11.10 ± 0.39 years old) participated in three competitions specifically designed to analyze the impact of different game formats: 5vs5 (F-5), 7vs7 (F-7) and 11vs11 (F-11). Players’ running performance and dynamics of spatial occupation were analyzed using the GPSs devices from WIMU PRO™ devices (10 Hz). Players’ and team's technical–tactical performance was also analyzed using the Team Sports Assessment Procedure (TSAP) and the Offensive Sequence Characterization System (SCSO), respectively. It was observed that the teams tended to adopt a less direct style in the F-11 ( LpW: F7 vs. F-11 p = 0.001 and F-5 vs. F-11 p = 0.002), with a lower rate of spatial exploration (F-7 vs. F-11 p = 0.001 and &&F-5 vs. F-11 p = 0.001) and lower running demand ( Sprint: F-7 vs. F-11 p = 0.001 and F-5 vs. F-11 p = 0.014; HSR: F-7 vs. F-11 p = 0.001 and F-5 vs. F-11 p = .001). In addition, the F-11 allowed the players to have less involvement during the match (F-7 vs. F-11 p = 0.003; F-5 vs. F-11 p = 0.001), as well as a lower technical–tactical performance (F-7 vs. F-11 p = .003 and F-5 vs. F-11 p = .005). Our results highlight the importance of adjusting the game formats used in youth competitive environments to players’ intrinsic dynamics.