Comparison of pitch sizes and floater numbers on internal and external load in small-sided soccer games

Abstract

The study examined the impact of pitch size and the number of floaters on internal and external load in small-sided soccer games (SSGs). Twenty male professional soccer players from Thai League 3 (age: 21.4 ± 1.82 years; height: 175 ± 5.41 cm; weight: 64.7 ± 3.87 kg; body fat: 9.54 ± 3.30%; VO2max: 57.7 ± 4.43 ml/kg/min) participated. The research analyzed four SSG formats: 4v4 and 4v4+2 (with two floaters) on both small (32 × 25 m) and large (40 × 30 m) pitches. Each session comprised four sets of 4-min games, separated by 4-min passive rest intervals. Internal load was assessed using heart rate (HR) monitors, tracking maximum HR, mean HR, and time spent in HR zones. External load was evaluated using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, measuring total distance (TD), high-intensity running, sprint distance, accelerations, and decelerations. The results indicated that the 4v4 format on the large pitch elicited the highest physiological responses (HRmax: 182.15 ± 8.27 beats/min; HRmean: 171.80 ± 9.12 beats/min) and the greatest time spent in Zone 5 (29.15 ± 27.71%). The 4v4+2 format on the large pitch resulted in the highest TD covered (2797.50 ± 146.51 m). High-intensity running was most prevalent in the 4v4 format on small pitches (238.60 ± 82.72 m). No significant differences were observed in sprint distances or acceleration and deceleration frequencies across conditions. These findings indicate that coaches should use the 4v4 format on large pitches to enhance high-intensity conditioning, whereas the 4v4+2 format on small pitches is better suited for technical development. This study offers evidence-based recommendations to help coaches optimize SSG configurations according to specific training goals.