The effect of relative pitch size on physiological, physical, technical and tactical variables in small-sided games: a literature review and practical guide
IntroductionManipulating relative pitch size is a common practice in soccer training; however, published evidence on its true effects for practical coaching purposes has been lacking in the scientific literature. This review aimed to identify and quantify changes in physiological, physical, technica...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1592536/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850203845545689088 |
|---|---|
| author | Michael C. Rumpf Michael C. Rumpf Michael C. Rumpf Johannes Jäger Filipe M. Clemente Filipe M. Clemente Filipe M. Clemente Stefan Altmann Stefan Altmann Matthias Lochmann |
| author_facet | Michael C. Rumpf Michael C. Rumpf Michael C. Rumpf Johannes Jäger Filipe M. Clemente Filipe M. Clemente Filipe M. Clemente Stefan Altmann Stefan Altmann Matthias Lochmann |
| author_sort | Michael C. Rumpf |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionManipulating relative pitch size is a common practice in soccer training; however, published evidence on its true effects for practical coaching purposes has been lacking in the scientific literature. This review aimed to identify and quantify changes in physiological, physical, technical, and tactical variables resulting from increases in relative pitch size during small-sided games (SSGs) in soccer.MethodsA literature search was conducted, resulting in the inclusion of 56 articles in this review. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine the total and percentage changes in relative pitch size and its influence on physiological, physical, technical, and tactical variables collected during SSGs.ResultsLinear regression revealed that an increase in relative pitch size was significantly positively associated with higher values in lactate, RPE, and Edwards’ TRIMP (p < 0.05). No significant associations were found for heart rate metrics or player loads. Several physical variables showed significant positive associations (total distance, relative total distance, maximum speed, number of sprints, sprinting, high-speed running, jogging, acceleration and deceleration, high-metabolic load distance, work-to-rest ratio) and negative associations (walking distance) with increases in relative pitch size (p < 0.05). Larger relative pitch sizes were associated with a lower frequency of most technical actions (ball touches, dribbles, turnovers), while tactical variables showed significant positive associations (team width, surface area, stretch index, inter-team distance) and a negative association (spatial exploration distance) with changes in pitch size.ConclusionLarger relative pitch sizes can be implemented as a task constraint in SSGs to enhance physiological (e.g., lactate, RPE), physical (e.g., total distance, number of sprints), and tactical variables (e.g., surface area). Caution should be exercised regarding the potential negative impact on technical outcomes when increasing relative pitch size. Practitioners in soccer can utilize the findings of this review to achieve desired effects by adjusting relative pitch size to target specific training outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-90987b28879345d8aad6cb5d67c7e2f0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2624-9367 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| spelling | doaj-art-90987b28879345d8aad6cb5d67c7e2f02025-08-20T02:11:25ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672025-05-01710.3389/fspor.2025.15925361592536The effect of relative pitch size on physiological, physical, technical and tactical variables in small-sided games: a literature review and practical guideMichael C. Rumpf0Michael C. Rumpf1Michael C. Rumpf2Johannes Jäger3Filipe M. Clemente4Filipe M. Clemente5Filipe M. Clemente6Stefan Altmann7Stefan Altmann8Matthias Lochmann9Department of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, GermanyFootball Performance Institute, footballscience.net, Dreieich, GermanySports Performance Research Institute New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New ZealandDepartment of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, GermanyEscola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, PortugalGdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, PolandSport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Viana do Castelo, PortugalInstitute of Sports and Sports Science, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, GermanyTSG ResearchLab GmbH, Zuzenhausen, GermanyDepartment of Sport Science and Sport, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, GermanyIntroductionManipulating relative pitch size is a common practice in soccer training; however, published evidence on its true effects for practical coaching purposes has been lacking in the scientific literature. This review aimed to identify and quantify changes in physiological, physical, technical, and tactical variables resulting from increases in relative pitch size during small-sided games (SSGs) in soccer.MethodsA literature search was conducted, resulting in the inclusion of 56 articles in this review. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine the total and percentage changes in relative pitch size and its influence on physiological, physical, technical, and tactical variables collected during SSGs.ResultsLinear regression revealed that an increase in relative pitch size was significantly positively associated with higher values in lactate, RPE, and Edwards’ TRIMP (p < 0.05). No significant associations were found for heart rate metrics or player loads. Several physical variables showed significant positive associations (total distance, relative total distance, maximum speed, number of sprints, sprinting, high-speed running, jogging, acceleration and deceleration, high-metabolic load distance, work-to-rest ratio) and negative associations (walking distance) with increases in relative pitch size (p < 0.05). Larger relative pitch sizes were associated with a lower frequency of most technical actions (ball touches, dribbles, turnovers), while tactical variables showed significant positive associations (team width, surface area, stretch index, inter-team distance) and a negative association (spatial exploration distance) with changes in pitch size.ConclusionLarger relative pitch sizes can be implemented as a task constraint in SSGs to enhance physiological (e.g., lactate, RPE), physical (e.g., total distance, number of sprints), and tactical variables (e.g., surface area). Caution should be exercised regarding the potential negative impact on technical outcomes when increasing relative pitch size. Practitioners in soccer can utilize the findings of this review to achieve desired effects by adjusting relative pitch size to target specific training outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1592536/fullsoccertrainingperformance parametersgame formatsfootball |
| spellingShingle | Michael C. Rumpf Michael C. Rumpf Michael C. Rumpf Johannes Jäger Filipe M. Clemente Filipe M. Clemente Filipe M. Clemente Stefan Altmann Stefan Altmann Matthias Lochmann The effect of relative pitch size on physiological, physical, technical and tactical variables in small-sided games: a literature review and practical guide Frontiers in Sports and Active Living soccer training performance parameters game formats football |
| title | The effect of relative pitch size on physiological, physical, technical and tactical variables in small-sided games: a literature review and practical guide |
| title_full | The effect of relative pitch size on physiological, physical, technical and tactical variables in small-sided games: a literature review and practical guide |
| title_fullStr | The effect of relative pitch size on physiological, physical, technical and tactical variables in small-sided games: a literature review and practical guide |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of relative pitch size on physiological, physical, technical and tactical variables in small-sided games: a literature review and practical guide |
| title_short | The effect of relative pitch size on physiological, physical, technical and tactical variables in small-sided games: a literature review and practical guide |
| title_sort | effect of relative pitch size on physiological physical technical and tactical variables in small sided games a literature review and practical guide |
| topic | soccer training performance parameters game formats football |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1592536/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT michaelcrumpf theeffectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT michaelcrumpf theeffectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT michaelcrumpf theeffectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT johannesjager theeffectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT filipemclemente theeffectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT filipemclemente theeffectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT filipemclemente theeffectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT stefanaltmann theeffectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT stefanaltmann theeffectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT matthiaslochmann theeffectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT michaelcrumpf effectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT michaelcrumpf effectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT michaelcrumpf effectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT johannesjager effectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT filipemclemente effectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT filipemclemente effectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT filipemclemente effectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT stefanaltmann effectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT stefanaltmann effectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide AT matthiaslochmann effectofrelativepitchsizeonphysiologicalphysicaltechnicalandtacticalvariablesinsmallsidedgamesaliteraturereviewandpracticalguide |