The effectiveness of differential learning in small-sided soccer 
games for skill development in U20 amateur male players

Jaouher Hamaidi; Wissem Dhahbi; Mohamed Mansour Bouzourraa; Noomen Guelmami; Mohamed Ben Aissa; Wassim Moalla; Ismail Dergaa; Katja Weiss; Thomas Rosemann; Beat Knechtle; Makrem Zghibi

doi:10.5114/biolsport.2025.151661

eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X

Biology of Sport

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1/2026
vol. 43

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abstract:

Original paper

The effectiveness of differential learning in small-sided soccer games for skill development in U20 amateur male players

Jaouher Hamaidi

^{1, 2}

,

Wissem Dhahbi

^{3, 4}

,

Mohamed Mansour Bouzourraa

^{1, 2}

,

Noomen Guelmami

²

,

Mohamed Ben Aissa

^{1, 2, 5}

,

Wassim Moalla

⁶

,

Ismail Dergaa

^{2, 3, 7}

,

Katja Weiss

⁸

,

Thomas Rosemann

⁸

,

Beat Knechtle

^{8, 9}

,

Makrem Zghibi

^{2, 5}

High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar-Said, University of Manouba, Manouba 2010, Tunisia
Department of Human and Social Sciences, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Kef 7100, Tunisia
Research Unit “Sport Sciences, Health and Movement”, Higher Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Kef, University of Jendouba, Kef, Tunisia
Training Department, Police College, Qatar Police Academy, Doha, Qatar
Research Unit Physical Activity, Sport, and Health, UR18JS01, National Observatory of Sport, Tunis, Tunisia
LR 19JS01 EM2S, Education, Motricity, Sport and Health, High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sfax, Tunisia
Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), Doha, Qatar
Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Medbase St.Gallen am Vadianplatz, St. Gallen, Switzerland

Biol Sport. 2026,43:199–211

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2025.151661

Online publish date: 2025/08/29

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Traditional soccer training relies on repetitive drills, while modern approaches emphasize personalized strategies that better suit individual player development needs. This study examined the effects of Small-Sided Games (SSGs) alone and in combination with Differential Learning (SSG+DL) on physiological responses, tactical behaviors, and technical skills enhancement of soccer players. Twenty male soccer players participated in this randomized controlled trial, assigned to either a control group (SSG, n = 10, age: 19.4±1.07 years) or an intervention group (SSG+DL, n = 10, age: 18.2±0.91 years). Physiological responses (heart rate, blood lactate, RPE), tactical behaviors, and technical skills were assessed before and after an 8-week training program (four sessions weekly). Large main effects of Time were found for technical/tactical skills including possession (η² = 0.83), passes (η² = 0.86), shots (η² = 0.77), tackles (η² = 0.73), and decision making (η² = 0.92). Medium effects emerged for heart rate (η² = 0.19) and effort (η² = 0.27). Group effects were negligible for physical measures. Significant interaction effects favoring the intervention were found for possession (η² = 0.42), passes (η² = 0.42), tackling (η² = 0.74), and marking (η² = 0.58). The intervention group showed larger improvement effect sizes (g = 0.11–2.61) compared to controls (g = 0.05 1.97). Integration of SSGs with DL significantly enhances tactical behaviors and technical skills in amateur soccer players compared to SSGs alone. These findings provide coaches with a practical framework to develop more adaptable players, particularly valuable for youth teams with limited resources, highlighting the importance of incorporating innovative training methods that emphasize variability and exploration.

keywords:

The effectiveness of differential learning in small-sided soccer games for skill development in U20 amateur male players

Jaouher Hamaidi 1, 2 , Wissem Dhahbi 3, 4 , Mohamed Mansour Bouzourraa 1, 2 , Noomen Guelmami 2 , Mohamed Ben Aissa 1, 2, 5 , Wassim Moalla 6 , Ismail Dergaa 2, 3, 7 , Katja Weiss 8 , Thomas Rosemann 8 , Beat Knechtle 8, 9 , Makrem Zghibi 2, 5

Adaptive learning, Football, Motor skill learning, Player development, Performance metrics