Effect of pitch dimensions on external load measures during large-sided soccer games: Manipulating pitch size to control load

Alireza Rabbani, 1. Sport Science Department, Ittihad Kalba F.C, Kalba, UAE; 2. Sport Science Department, Al Bataeh F.C, Sharjah, UAEFollow
Robert Trybulski, 1. Medical Department Wojciech Korfanty, Upper Silesian Academy in Katowice, Katowice, Poland; 2. Department of Physical Therapy and Ergotherapy, Ivan Boberkyj Lviv State University of Physical Culture, Lviv, Ukraine Follow
Filipe Manuel Clemente, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdansk, PolandFollow

Abstract

Background: The aims of this study were to examine the variability and differences of selected external load metrics during soccer large-sided games (LSGs) depending on the pitch size. Materials and methods: The external load metrics of 13 male soccer players were monitored during 14 sessions. These metrics included total distance (TD), high-intensity running distance (HIR) (meters covered with speed >14.4 km^.h^-1), high-speed running distance (HSR) (meters covered with speed >19.8 km^.h^-1), high-metabolic load distance (HMLD), mechanical work (MW) (the sum of accelerations and decelerations >3 m²), maximal velocity (Max V) and the number of sprints. Results: TD^.min^-1 had a lower coefficient of variation (CV), ranging from 3.8 to 9.1%, with a small magnitude across different pitch sizes. The results regarding differences between pitch sizes (full pitch, box-to-box, and half pitch) show that all measures decrease when the size is reduced from full pitch to half-pitch, except MW^.min^-1, with possibly small (standardized effect, ES: 0.22) and very likely moderate (ES: 0.77) increases in half-pitch and box-to-box LSGs, respectively. Conclusions: The findings suggest that manipulating the pitch dimensions and reducing its size during LSGs causes almost all selected external load measures to decrease. Therefore, coaches can use this method when closing matches to reduce the load as a tapering strategy and prepare players for the upcoming match.

Recommended Citation

Rabbani A, Trybulski R, Clemente FM. Effect of pitch dimensions on external load measures during large-sided soccer games: Manipulating pitch size to control load. Balt J Health Phys Act. 2025;17(3):Article8. DOI: 10.29359/BJHPA.17.3.08