This document discusses how small-sided games (SSGs) can be modified and tailored to influence physiological, physical, and technical training loads. It identifies several factors that influence the training load of SSGs, including pitch size, number of players, rule modifications, coach encouragement, training regimen, and player characteristics. Modifying these factors, such as decreasing pitch size or number of players, can increase the physiological, physical, and technical demands of the game to meet specific training goals.

1. HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING
SMALL-SIDED GAMES
GUIDO SEERDEN
Coaching the coaches

2. Why SSGs?
Football specific
 Movements
 Technical & tactical skills
 Physiological intensity
Benefits
 Time efficient  concurrent training
 Increased player motivation and compliance
Different game formats
 Physiological load (HR, RPE, blood lactate)
 Physical load (movement characteristics)
 Technical load (skills)
Which factors influence the load of a SSG?

3. Influencing factors

4. Pitch size
Absolute pitch area
 Total pitch area
Relative pitch area
 The individual playing area of a player
 Increased size:
 Physiological load
 Physical load
 Technical load
Pitch size and tactical training
 Length to width ratio 1:1-1:1.3

5. Numbers of players involved
Decreasing the numbers
 Technical load
 Physiological load
 Physical load
Increasing the numbers
 Technical load
 Physiological load & physical load ?
Underload vs Overload (e.g. 3v4)
Floater (e.g. 3v3+1)
 Aerobic fitness

6. Rule modifications
With goalkeeper
 Tactics: physiological load
 Motivation: physiological load
Without goalkeeper
 Physical, physiological & technical load
Ball possession
 1 or 2 touches: physiological & physical load
 Free play: physiological load
 (defensive midfielders, wide midfielders & forwards)

7. Rule modifications (2)
Goal orientation
 Line dribble vs double and central goal orientation
 Physiological load
Tactical obligations
 Pressing
 Player-to-player marking
 Physiological load

8. Coach encouragement
Physiological load
Greatest impact on these factors compared to an
alteration in pitch size and playing numbers

9. Training regimen
Continuous vs intermittent
 Physical load Distance covered >13 km/h
 Physiological load
Work:rest ratio
SSG duration
 Increase
 Physiological load
Number of sets and repetitions
 Physical & technical load
 Physiological load

10. Players’ characteristics
Fitness level
 High VO2max  Low % VO2max
 Floater?
Skill level
 Amateurs
 Technical load  minimum 2 touches
 Physical and physiological load
 Professionals
 1 or 2 touches
Age
 Youth players: less experience and skills  physical demands
 Less skilled  maintain physiological stress?