Effect of Small-Sided Games with and without the Offside Rule on Young Soccer Players: Reliability of Physiological Demands

This study aimed to compare the physiological demand between three vs. three small-sided games (SSGs) with (3vs.3(WITH)) and without (3vs.3(WITHOUT)) the offside rule, as well as the within- and between-session reliability of this demand. Twenty-four U-17 soccer athletes performed various three vs. three (plus goalkeepers) SSGs with and without the offside rule. The data collection was performed within an eight-week period. Athletes’ heart rate was monitored during the SSG. The variables analyzed were the percentage mean heart rate (HR(MEAN%)) and the percentage peak heart rate (HR(PEAK%)). For the analysis of within-session reliability, the mean value of the first two and last two SSG bouts performed within one day were used. The between-session reliability was calculated using the mean value of the four SSG bouts of each SSG type performed on two different days. In both SSGs, the values for reliability were significant and were classified as moderate to excellent. There were no significant differences in the physiological demand among SSG types. We concluded that the offside rule does not influence the physiological demand in a three vs. three SSG and the HR(MEAN%) and HR(PEAK%) present moderate to excellent reliability in a three vs. three SSG with and without the offside rule.