Consequences of field obstacles on tactical, conditional, and emotional dimensions in young female soccer players during small-sided games

This study aims to compare tactical, conditional, and emotional responses of young female soccer players with two small-sided games (SSG) conditions – with and without field obstacles. Twelve Spanish under-12 female soccer players (age: 12.5 ± 0.7 years) played two different 6-a-side SSGs (i.e. 5 vs 5 plus goalkeepers): one with field obstacles (SSGobstacles) and the other without these (SSGfree). Positional data were gathered using a GPS to measure tactical (distance between players, stretch-index [SI], spatial exploration index [SEI] and their normalized approximate entropy measures [ApEn norm], and longitudinal and lateral synchronizations) and conditional performances (total and walking, jogging, running, and high-speed running distances). Participants assessed the intensity of their emotional experience using the BECS scale of perceived enjoyment and competence. SSGobstacles reduced the SEI values ( p = 0.038, Cohen’s d = −0.40 [−0.77; −0.02]), impaired lateral synchronization ( p < 0.001, d = −0.62 [−0.89; −0.34]), and increased regularity (distance between playersApEn norm: p = 0.016, d = −0.32 [−0.58; −0.06]; SIApEn norm: p = 0.029, d = −0.42 [−0.79; −0.04]) of the tactical behavior in comparison to SSGfree. Players traveled more distance overall ( p = 0.009, d = 0.51 [0.13; 0.89]) and while running ( p = 0.028, d = 0.42 [0.04; 0.79]) during SSGobstacles in comparison to SSGfree. No significant differences between the two SSG conditions were apparent in players’ perceived enjoyment ( p = 0.060) and competence levels ( p = 0.530). Placing obstacles on the field during SSGs, compared with those free of obstructions, could decrease young female soccer players’ spatial exploration, stabilize their tactical behavior, and raise their physical effort.