the Effect of Small-Sided Games Exercises on the Development of Tactical Understanding and Decision-Making among Under-21 Football Players

Abstract

The study consisted of five chapters.

The first chapter addressed the introduction and significance of the research, as this study dealt with the effect of exercises using limited spaces on the development and improvement of some complex skills, tactical understanding, and decision-making skill among under-21 football players, in an attempt to provide a training perspective that contributes to improving mental-tactical performance in early age stages. The researcher also addressed the problem. Despite the great development witnessed in modern football training methods, many coaches still rely on traditional exercises that focus on developing basic skills separately from the real competitive situations that the player faces during the match. Through the researcher’s observation of matches and training units of football players, he noticed variation in the level of complex skill performance and a relative weakness in the speed and accuracy of decision-making among some players, in addition to a deficiency in tactical understanding during the implementation of offensive and defensive duties.

Hence, the research problem is determined in the following question:

Do small-sided games exercises contribute to developing some complex skills, tactical understanding, and decision-making among football players better than the training methods followed?

The study aimed to:

1. Identify the effect of small-sided games exercises on developing some complex skills among young football players.


2. Identify the effect of small-sided games exercises on developing tactical understanding and decision-making.


3. Prepare a scale of decision-making efficiency to identify the accuracy of tactical understanding and decision-making.

The second chapter included the theoretical and similar studies, and addressed the concept of small-sided games exercises, complex exercises, tactical understanding, and decision-making.

The third chapter dealt with the research methodology and procedures, where the researcher used the experimental method. The research population was represented by under-21 players of Basra Governorate clubs, including three clubs: Al-Minaa, Naft Al-Basra, and Al-Bahri. The players of these clubs were selected randomly, and the research sample was determined intentionally from the players of Al-Bahri Club under 21 years of age. Some complex skill tests were also used, and the tactical understanding and decision-making form was designed by the researcher.

The fourth chapter included the results, their analysis, and their discussion by the researcher.

The fifth chapter included the conclusions and recommendations. The researcher concluded that:

1. Physical-motor tests provide an advanced indicator of the player’s level.


2. Tactical understanding and decision-making represent two integrated elements in football performance.

As for the recommendations:

1. Focusing on decision-making training within the training unit.


2. Conducting periodic tests to measure tactical understanding and decision-making.