Macro and micro network metrics as indicators of training tasks adjustment to players' tactical level

Author(s)

Machado, Joao Claudio ^{[1, 2]} ; Aquino, Rodrigo ^[3] ; Goes Junior, Alberto ^{[1, 4]} ; Junior, Joao Bosco ^{[1, 4]} ; Barreira, Daniel ^[5] ; Travassos, Bruno ^{[6, 7]} ; Ibanez, Sergio Jose ^[8] ; Scaglia, Alcides Jose ^{[1, 4]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Fac Phys Educ, Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Amazonas, Fac Phys Educ & Physiotherapy, Human Performance Lab LEDEHU, Gen Rodrigo Otavio Jordao Ramos Ave 6-200, BR-69080900 Manaus, Amazonas - Brazil

^[3] Univ Fed Espirito Santo, Dept Sports, Res Grp Soccer Sci, Ctr Phys Educ & Sports CEFD, Vitoria, ES - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estadual Campinas, Sch Appl Sci FCA, Lab Sport Pedag LEPE, Limeira, SP - Brazil

^[5] Univ Porto, Fac Sport, Ctr Res Educ Innovat & Intervent Sport CIFI2D, Porto - Portugal

^[6] Univ Beira Interior, Sport Sci Dept, Covilha - Portugal

^[7] Res Ctr Sports Sci Hlth Sci & Human Dev, CreativeLab, Vila Real - Portugal

^[8] Univ Extremadura, Fac Sports Sci, Optimizat Training & Sport Performance Res Grp, Badajoz - Spain

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCE & COACHING; v. 16, n. 3 DEC 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

We aimed to investigate if social networks measures can be used as indicators of training tasks' adjustment level to soccer players' tactical skills. Twenty-four U17 male soccer players (16.89 +/- 0.11 years) participated in this study. The System of Tactical Assessment in Football (FUT-SAT) was used to identify players' tactical level and to organize them into three groups: Higher tactical level (Group 01), Intermediate tactical level (Group 02) and Lower tactical level (Group 03). Then, the players performed three High difficulty Small-Sided and Conditioned Games (HD-SSCG) and three Low difficulty Small-Sided and Conditioned Games (LD-SSCG). Teams' interaction patterns and players' prominence were analysed based on macro (Density - D and Clustering coefficient - CC) and micro networks (Indegree, Outdegree, Total links and Eigenvector) measures. We found that Group 01 presented higher D (p = .004 and ES = 1.189) and CC (p =.004 and ES = .785) at HD-SSCG than Group 03, whereas Group 03 presented higher values of D (p = .003 and ES = 1.200) and CC (p = .037 and ES = 1.180) at LD-SSCG than Group 01. When training tasks difficulty were adjusted to players' tactical level, teams played more collectively and players were more actively engaged in ball circulation. We concluded that macro and micro networks measures can be applied in training context as indicators of training tasks adjustment to players' tactical level. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/12142-5 - Applying a nonlinear pedagogical approach in football: Analysis of the relationship between the design of representative training tasks and the skill level of football players
• Grantee: Alcides José Scaglia
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants