Space configuration and numerical relationship during professional soccer matches: a proposal for small-sided games design

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to analyse the most recurrent characteristics of soccer attacking sequences regarding the effective space available, the numerical relationship, and the distance between the defensive line and the goal.

Methods
Overall, 4 Brazilian professional matches were recorded and the trajectories of 101 players were obtained by a tracking method. The variables of the studies were: length (the distance between 2 more distant players, longitudinally), width (the distance between 2 more distant players, laterally), numerical relationship (the number of attacking players vs. the numer of defending players inside a given area), and the distance to the goal (the distance between the defensive player closer the goal line and the goal line).

Results
The mean values and standard deviations were 24.59 (± 13.40) m for the length, 44.13 (± 12.51) m for the width, and 29.19 (± 11.40) m for the distance to goal line. A match was characterized mostly by the interaction among a large number of players (p < 0.001). The length, width, and distance to goal line changed depending on the numerical relationship. However, the effective space available was characterized by the width, being greater than the length, and the game had more situations of defensive numerical superiority, followed by the numerical equality (p < 0.001).

Conclusions
The study presented insights regarding strategies for soccer games that can guide coaches in the design of training drills in accordance with real situations in a soccer match.