Maximal sprinting speed of elite soccer players

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MAXIMAL SPRINTING SPEED OF ELITE SOCCER
PLAYERS DURING TRAINING AND MATCHES
Article in The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · September 2016
DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001642
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J Strength Cond Res. 2016 Sep 23. [Epub ahead of print].
DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001642
1
ORIGINAL RESEARCH1
2
TITLE: MAXIMAL SPRINTING SPEED OF ELITE SOCCER PLAYERS DURING3
TRAINING AND MATCHES4
5
Running Head: Maximal speed in elite soccer6
7
Authors: Léo DJAOUI 1*
, Karim CHAMARI 2
, Adam OWEN 1
, and Alexandre DELLAL 1, 3
8
9
Affiliations:10
* Corresponding author11
1
LIBM (Inter-university Laboratory of human Movement Biology), University of Lyon,12
University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France13
2
Athlete and Health Performance Research Center, Aspetar, Doha, Qatar14
3
FIFA Medical Center of Excellence, Centre Orthopedique Santy, Lyon, France15
16
* Corresponding author: Leo Djaoui, Lab of Human Movement Biology (LIBM), UFR STAPS - University17
Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 27, 29 Boulevard du 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne Cedex, France. Phone:18
+33472432746, e-mail: leo.djaoui@gmail.com19

DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001642
2
1
ABSTRACT2
The aim of the present study was to compare 1) the maximal sprinting speed (MSS)3
attained by soccer players during matches (MSSmatch) according to their level of play4
(professional 1st French division vs. elite amateur 4th French division) and the playing5
positions; and 2) the MSS attained by professional soccer players during 14 different types of6
small-sided games (SSG, MSSSSG) and match-play. All players monitored through the study7
performed a 40-m sprint test to assess individual MSS (MSStest) and compare it to the8
training and match activity, with the calculation of the percentage of MSStest (%MSStest)9
reached. No differences were found according to the level of play, however positionally,10
wide players achieved a higher MSSmatch, %MSStest, and MSSSSG compared to central players11
(both defenders and midfielders) during matches and SSG. MSSmatch were higher than all12
MSSSSG, and MSSSSG were positively correlated with the area of the pitch (0.45, p<0.001), its13
length (0.53, p<0.001) and the number of players involved (0.38, p<0.001). The closer SSG14
was to match situation in term of rules, the higher the MSSSSG. Wide players reached higher15
MSS in match and SSG than central players, confirming the relevance of using SSG close to16
match situation to specifically prepare elite players to the maximal running speed demand of17
the match.18
19
Keywords: SSG, physical activity, playing position, match analysis, training analysis,20
football21

DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001642
3
INTRODUCTION1
The physical qualities power and speed are essential in order to perform in elite soccer2
match play (5,23,29). Furthermore, it has been observed that soccer players reach peak3
running speeds close to 32 km.h-1
during match play (34,35). This quality of sprinting speed4
depends on several factors including the level of practice and the age (3,24). Indeed it has5
been shown that elite players would be faster on the first 10m of a 30m-sprint test than6
amateurs (15) and that older players would be faster covering a 40m-sprint test in highly7
trained young soccer players (10). The quality of sprinting speed also differs according to8
players’ position as they all have specific tactical tasks and so physical needs in match.9
However differences were observed in the current literature. Thus, Ferro et al. (24), using a10
laser sensor system, observed in competitive student players that forwards (FW) (∼33.3 km.h-
11
1
) had the highest maximal sprinting speed (MSS), followed by central midfielders (CM)12
(∼32.1 km.h-1
), then by central defenders (CD) (∼31.9 km.h-1
), and that wide midfielders13
(WM) were the slowest (∼31.4 km.h-1
). Al Haddad et al. (3), using the fastest 10-m split time14
during a maximal 40-m sprint test to calculate the MSS, observed in youth elite players that15
WM, CD and FW had a higher MSS (∼28.7 km.h-1
) than wide defenders (WD) and CM16
(∼27.7 km.h-1
). Furthermore, with the same method used by Al Haddad et al. (3), Mendez-17
Villanueva et al. (31) observed in elite youth players that the fastest CD reached 35.0 km.h-1
18
and the fastest WM 34.3 km.h-1
, and that the slowest CD and WM, 31.2 and 30.2 km.h-1
19
respectively.20
However, the MSS is not the only factor influencing the speed running intensity during21
the match. Indeed, although it was observed that faster players reach higher running speeds22
during a match, it was also observed that some players compensated their lower MSS by23
increasing the percentage of MSS (%MSS) reached during the match (3,31). Mendez-24
Villanueva et al. (31) observed that the fastest CD of the young elite team reached 84.4% of25
MSS during a match and that the fastest WM reached 90.5% of MSS (slower during the test26
than the aforementioned). Al Haddad et al. (3) observed that CM reached only ∼85.3% of27
MSS while CD reached ∼89.1%, WD ∼90.1%, WM ∼92.2% and FW ∼88.0% and ∼93.6%.28
These results confirmed that the very high intensity activity during matches was clearly29
different among playing positions (3,18,21). The authors of the present study suggested that30
speeds should always be based on relative speed rather than the speed bands set by motion31
capture and global positional system (GPS).32
33
Small-sided games (SSG) training have been shown to be extremely relevant to make34
soccer players enhance their tactical and technical skills (27), to expose them to high level of35
heart rate (HR) (higher than 90% HRmax) (4,9), to solicit high intensity running distances36
(20,33) and to procure players high level of enjoyment (4). It was also shown that the more37
players involved in the SSG, the higher speed intensities reached (13,26,35) probably in38
connection with the larger space of practice and the opportunity for players to be more39
involved in actions without the ball, as running over the opponents to create scoring40
situations. Recently, Owen et al. (33) observed MSS reached during small-SG (4 vs. 4),41
medium-SG (5 vs. 5 to 8 vs. 8) and large-SG (9 vs. 9 to 11 vs. 11) up to 21.6 (±1.3), 22.542
(±0.9) and 24.6 (±0.9) km.h-1
respectively.43
These results combined with observations from matches show how much training and44
matches could differ regarding to the MSS demand and performance. To our knowledge,45
there is no study examining MSS and %MSS over elite adult soccer players during both SSG46
and matches. Thus, the first aim of the present study was to analyse the MSS and the %MSS47
of soccer players reached during matches, and to analyse these markers according to the level48
of practice (professional vs. elite amateur) and the playing positions. Then, the second aim of49

DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001642
4
the study was to compare the maximal speed reached during different types of SSG and1
match play according to the playing positions, the score-rules, the number of players2
involved and the pitch sizes. Examining these markers may assist in helping coaches and3
staff to prepare, periodize, predict, analyse and monitor players’ physical performance during4
training and competition.5
6
MATERIALS & METHODS7
Experimental approach to the problem8
In the first part of the study, professional and elite amateur players were classified9
into five playing positions and were tested for their individual MSS with a GPS. They were10
then tested during six different matches with the same GPS device in order to analyse their11
MSS obtained during the match and their individual %MSS reached, and to compare the12
results between: the groups (professional vs. elite amateur) and the playing positions.13
14
In the second part of the study, professional players were classified into five playing15
positions and tested with GPS during 14 different types of SSG, with different rules16
according to the number of players involved, the way of scoring and the pitch sizes. They17
were also tested during a match in order to compare the MSS obtained during the match to18
the MSS obtained during the different types of SSG.19
20
Subjects21
To analyse differences depending on the competitive level, one group of 2422
professional players (age: 24.3±2.6 years; height: 180.1±4.1cm; body mass: 75.0±5.3kg; %23
body fat mass: 9.4±2.2%) competing in the French first league, was compared to a group of24
24 elite-amateur players (age: 20.9±2.9 (28-16.8) years; height: 177.2±3.7 cm; body mass:25
72.8±4.4 kg; % body fat mass: 9.7±3.7 %) competing in the French fourth division. Players26
were divided into five playing positions: CD (n=10), WD (n=7), CM (n=16), WM (n=6) and27
FW (n=8).28
Then, another group of 14 professional players (age: 23.1±4.0 years; height:29
178.4±5.7 cm; body mass: 73.7±5.1kg; % body fat mass: 8.8±2.2 %), from the same30
professional team competing in the French first league, was tested over 14 SSG situations. In31
both analyses, players were divided into five playing positions: CD (n=3), WD (n=4), CM32
(n=4), WM (n=2) and FW (n=1).33
The study was explained to all players and they all gave their written consent. Players34
aged under 18 also gave a written parental or guardian consent. The study was approved by35
the local university ethics committee and was conducted according to the principles of the36
declaration of Helsinki.37
38
Procedures39
Tests. Individual maximal sprinting speed was recorded with a GPS and this value was40
obtained from a straight sprinting 40 meters test. During the test, players used the same type41
of GPS than during matches. Players started from a static position behind the line of the 40-m42
sprint distance and were asked to run as fast as possible. They started when ready and43
completed three trials with best speed performance selected in the analysis as the individual44
maximal sprinting speed (MSStest). If during match and sided-games, a player reached a45
higher speed than during the test, the higher speed obtained was considered as the MSStest.46
47
Professional vs. elite amateur. The two groups participated in six soccer matches: official48
pre-season friendly matches for professional players and official competitive matches for49
elite amateurs. All players participating (kept for analysis) in the study played at least 4550

DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001642
5
minutes of the matches. During matches, they were wearing a GPS with a sampling1
frequency of 15 Hz (GPSports SPI Elite, Canberra, Australia) in order to evaluate the2
maximal sprinting speed (MSSmatch) they reached. The system uses signals from at least three3
earth-orbiting satellites to determine the position and calculate movement speeds and4
distances. The same units were used for each player in order to exclude the effects of inter-5
unit variability. Units were placed in a harness on the player’s upper back. The use of GPS6
for assessing high speed running has been reported with a good reliability (6,16). Therefore,7
Buchheit et al. (11) have well shown that the GPS used in the present study allow providing8
accurate data of different running speed categories but not regarding acceleration and9
deceleration. This value was then expressed relatively to the MSStest as a percentage of10
maximal speed reached in match (%MSS) (8).11
12
Small-sided games (SSG). The third group of players participated in one whole match of 9013
minutes and 14 different sessions of SSG using the same GPS described below in order to14
evaluate the MSSSSG they reached every time. Rules and pitch sizes of SGG were detailed in15
table 1.16
17
$$$ Table 1 near here $$$18
19
Statistical analyses. Data were presented as mean ± SD. All variables were tested with the20
Shapiro-Wilk normality test. First, a two-way ANOVA was assessed in order to test the21
interaction effect of groups (professional vs. elite amateur) and playing positions on MSStest,22
MSSmatch and %MSS. When the interaction was significant, t-test was assessed in order to23
precise the difference between the same playing positions of different groups. If the24
interaction between groups and playing positions was not significant, we observed the single25
effects of each factor and a Tukey post-hoc test was assessed when significant. Pearson’s26
correlation “r” tests were assessed between MSStest, MSSmatch and %MSS. Correlations with27
values of 0-.19, .20-.39, .40-.59, .60-79 and .80-1.00 were respectively interpreted as very28
weak, weak, moderate, strong and very strong (22). Secondly, a non-parametric Freidman29
test in repeated measures was assessed to compare differences between match and SSGs rules30
whether games were played with goalkeepers, mini-goals or in ball-conservation mode. A31
Wilcoxon post-hoc test was then assessed to precise the differences two by two. Bonferonni’s32
correction was applied and p was consider to be significant when <0.0005 for these 10433
(MSSmatch & MSSSSG) and 91 (%MSSmacth) comparisons two by two. Pearson’s correlation34
“r” tests were assessed between MSSSSG and: the pitch area per player, the number of players35
involved, and the depth of the pitches. The effect size (ES) was calculated according to36
Cohen’s d ES for identified statistical differences were determined. ES with values of 0.2, 0.537
and 0.8 were respectively considered to represent small, medium and large differences (14).38
39
RESULTS40
Professional vs. elite amateur41
All three variable’s distributions were found to be normal (p<0.05). A moderate42
correlation was found between MSStest and MSSmatch (r=0.52, p<0.05), a very strong43
correlation was found between MSSmatch and %MSS (r=0.87, p<0.05) and no correlation was44
found between MSStest and %MSS. No differences were found between professional and45
amateur players in the three markers observed. Differences among playing positions were46
observed in MSStest and MSSmatch but not in %MSS. All players combined reached a mean of47
92.45 (±7.49) % of MSS during matches (table 2).48
49
$$$ Table 2 near here $$$50

DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001642
6
1
Match vs. SSG2
All situations combined, differences were observed amongst the playing positions3
with a small ES (0.28). WD (25.18±3.32 km.h-1
) and WM (24.48±3.03 km.h-1
) were faster4
than CM (23.18±2.53 km.h-1
; p<0.001) and WD was also faster than CD (23.33±3.81 km.h-1
;5
p<0.001).6
Significant differences on MSSSSG were found between the different types of SSG7
with a moderate ES (0.51). Indeed, the ball-conservation rule made players run slower8
(22.11±2.32 km.h-1
) than SSG with goalkeeper (GK) (24.04±3.03 km.h-1
; p<0.001) and SSG9
with mini-goals (24.15±3.60 km.h-1
; p<0.001). No differences between GK and mini-goals10
rules were found. Moderate correlations were found between the pitch area and MSSSSG11
(r=0.45; p<0.001), and between the length of the pitch and MSSSSG (r=0.53; p<0.001). A12
weak correlation was also found between the number of players and MSSSSG (r=0.38;13
p<0.001) (table 3).14
All players combined reached a mean of 82.67 ± 10.74 % of MSS during SSG (table 4).15
16
$$$ Table 3 and Table 4 near here $$$17
18
DISCUSSION19
The aim of this study was to examine how maximal sprinting speed (MSS) was20
affected according to the training, match play and test situation, with a special comparison21
between professional vs. elite amateurs and match-play values vs. SSG. The main findings22
were that 1) MSS didn’t vary according to the playing level (professional vs. elite amateur23
players); whereas 2) MSS values differed across SSG, match play and results in 40-m sprint24
test with difference according to the playing position. Specifically, professional players25
reached a mean of 92.45±7.49% of MSS during matches, whereas they reached a mean of26
82.67±10.74% of MSS during SSG.27
28
Professional vs. elite amateur29
The first aim of the present study was to analyse MSS reached during elite soccer30
matches and to compare the results according to the players’ level (professional vs. elite31
amateur) and their playing positions. A significant interaction was found between the level of32
players and their playing positions (p<0.05) on the MSStest but the results showed no33
significant differences between the same playing positions in the different groups (WD pro34
vs. WD amateur; CD pro vs. CD amateur, etc.). Furthermore, no differences between groups35
were found significant in the MSSmatch and %MSS observations. It is possible that, as36
professional players played pre-season friendly matches, the peak running speed they37
achieved could have been impacted by this moment of the season. However, the results38
indicated that, in terms of individual speed qualities and in term of speed needs during a39
soccer match, there were no differences between professional players and elite amateur40
players. Furthermore, although these players competed in four divisions apart, the elite41
amateur group was also composed of elite amateur young soccer players, who trained every42
day. Thus, both groups were considered as “high-level” soccer players. Consequently, results43
could have been different if comparing professional players to elite amateur players who44
trained significantly less with lower abilities. It was well known that differences among45
professional and elite amateur matches are related to the ability to repeat sprints, the total46
distance sprinting, the physiological responses to high intensity actions and the technical47
skills (19,36), however the present analyses completed the literature findings in showing that48
differences among professional and elite amateur matches did not reside in differences in the49
top speed qualities like MSS or the %MSS reached.50

DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001642
7
1
In this context, it appears that professional (first league) and elite amateur soccer2
players reached and presented the same MSS during match play, however, differences were3
found between playing positions. Indeed, when groups were pooled together, the results4
showed that FW (31.93±1.37 km.h-1
; p<0.005), WM (31.81±1.37 km.h-1
; p<0.05) and WD5
(31.67±1.37 km.h-1
; p<0.05) reached higher MSStest than CD (30.55±0.99 km.h-1
). The6
present results were not in accordance with those from Ferro et al. (24) who found no7
significant differences between FW, WM, WD and CD in a 30-meters MSStest. The8
difference in the competition level of players tested could explain the difference between the9
two studies. Indeed, they observed competitive students when we observed high-level10
players. It is possible that the central players (CD an CM) of the present study were more11
able to anticipate ball trajectories, opponents moves and thus to position correctly on the12
pitch during matches. Moreover, their specific central position did not impose them to go as13
fast as wide positions players or forward who used their speed to create goal situations in the14
deep spaces of the pitch. So, it is possible that for the elite soccer players tested in this15
particular context, MSStest of CD and CM would not be as high as MSStest of WD, WM and16
FW because they would not need to reach a high MSS during match situations and thus, in17
long term, they would not need to develop as high MSS as the other playing positions. The18
observations of MSSmatch confirmed the different speed (related to tactical) needs among19
playing positions during the match. Indeed, FW (29.98±1.92 km.h-1
) and WD (30.02±2.1820
km.h-1
) were faster than CM (28.13±2.45 km.h-1
; p<0.05). These observations were in21
accordance with those from Bradley et al. (7) and from Andrzejewski et al. (1) who found22
that FW, WM and WD were faster than CD during matches, not mattering if they were23
international players or elite domestic players. The present results were also different with24
those from Kaplan et al. (28) who found no differences between playing positions according25
to a shuttle run test (10 x 5 meters. Differences between the two studies could be explained26
by the fact that they observed repeated-sprint ability on a short distance (5 meters) whereas27
we observed the unique and best MSS reached in a higher running distance (40 meters) and28
the speed reached in a 5 meters could not be as high as the speed reached in a 40 meters (25).29
However, because elite soccer is a very complex sport, it remains important to keep in mind30
that the physical activity of the players on the pitch is affected by many parameters (e.g.31
technical, tactical, environmental, etc.) that could prevaricate the analyses.32
33
Moreover, no significant differences between playing positions were found when34
analysing the %MSS reached during matches. Such results could be explained by the large35
inter-individual variations, represented here by the mean of all mixed players36
(92.45%±7.45%) and the large SD observed (from 4.85% to 11.33%). Indeed, some of the37
players observed reached their individual best MSS during the match and not during the test38
(e.g. 25 players). Their %MSS was thus settled to 100%, increasing also the variability in-39
between players. Al Haddad et al. (3) found a strong correlation between MSStest and %MSS40
reached during matches (e.g. r=0.69) that was not confirmed in the present study. The means41
of the playing positions we observed were all above 90% of %MSS during matches while42
some of theirs were below 90% (e.g. CD, CM and what they called the second striker). They43
observed young players of 15.0±1.2 years old while we observed adults (24.3±2.6 years). As44
the age influences the speed abilities (10,30,32), differences between our two studies might45
be related to the different population observed. Furthermore, their players were certainly in46
their growth period and their MSS was not fully developed with the same level of maturity47
for every player.48
49
Match vs. SSG50

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8
The second aim of the present study was to compare the MSS reached during match play1
and training including SSG with different rules and formats. The MSSmatch (28.66±1.93 km.h-
2
1
) were found to be higher than the MSSSSG in all situations (mean 23.98±3.26 km.h-1
from3
19.94±2.14 to 25.67±3.39 km.h-1
; p<0.01). The mean average of MSSSSG reached was4
23.64±3.08 km.h-1
representing 82.67±10.74 % of MSSmatch (from 69.75 to 89.81%).5
Casamichana et al. (12) found similar results comparing the physical activity of a friendly6
match and 3 SSG formats (3 vs. 3, 5 vs. 5 and 7 vs. 7). Over semi-professional players, they7
found that MSSmatch was clearly higher (∼27.0 km.h-1
) than mean MSSSSG (∼20.3 km.h-1
). So8
it was clear that the match situation made players reached a higher MSS than different SSG9
situations. These observations were probably related to the different context (competition vs.10
training) as competition may have more stake and motivational aspects with a bigger pitch11
area giving more space for players to take speed. Furthermore, it is important to clarify that,12
while modulating SSG rules and pitch area might make enable greater speeds, the stimulus of13
SSG alone might not be enough to maintain or build maximal speed in soccer players. Thus,14
coaches are advised to include additional specific speed drills to SGG in order to prepare15
players for competition with a suitable stimulus of MSS.16
Differences were observed amongst the playing positions as WD and WM were both17
faster than CM (p<0.001, ES=0.28) and WD was also faster than CD (p<0.001, ES=0.28).18
The small effect observed might be explained by the fact that some SSG situations (situations19
without GK) did not require players to occupy a specific position on the pitch. For example,20
while playing a 5 vs. 5 “ball-conservation”, all players positioned like they wanted on the21
pitch and consequently had the same motion characteristics. What was observed and22
discussed above about the differences in the MSSmatch amongst playing positions was also23
observed here with the MSSSSG since central players reached lower speed than wide players24
in match and SSG situations. As the purpose of training is mainly to specifically prepare25
players for the competition, these observations confirmed that SSG are well adapted to26
specifically train elite players for the high-speed physical activity according to their playing27
position. It was also observed that CM (86.70±8.98%) reached a higher %MSSmatch than CD28
(77.62±12.30%) and WD (82.10±10.11%) during the SSG situations (p<0.005) probably29
because they are concerned both in offensive and defensive phases. In the present study the30
SSG was recorded without any specific tactical aspects, but this component should greatly31
affect the physical activities. The tactical options that coach chose induced different32
defensive and offensive roles and would have affected differently each playing position.33
Thus, although the present study did not focus on tactical SSG requirements, coaches need to34
have a special attention to this component.35
36
The present study was the first one to observe the influence of the rules, the number of37
players involved and the pitch sizes on the MSS during SSG. Rules of the situations were38
found to have a role in the difference of MSSSSG. In the first place, the situations with goal-39
scoring (with goalkeeper or with mini-goals) situations offered a higher MSSSSG than ball40
conservation. These findings might be explained by the fact that goal-scoring situations41
induced to be organized and play similarly to match-play, and therefore players needed to run42
faster to create goal situations; whereas during the ball-conservations, the technical and43
tactical skills with a continuously high intensity activity might predominate over the high-44
speed running activity. Several authors suggested that the presence of goals and goalkeepers45
might be more motivating and so increased players’ involvement into the sided-games (17).46
This motivational aspect could have also influenced the MSS reached during the sided-47
games. Furthermore, as players had to simultaneously protect their own goal while trying to48
score, a higher physical activity was imposed during the SSG with goals (2) making these49
higher speed running having more impact on the games. In the second place, the pitch area50

DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001642
9
per player (r=0.45) and the use of pitch length (r=0.53) were also influent on the MSSSSG.1
The bigger the area per player, the higher MSSSSG; and the longer the pitch, the higher2
MSSSSG. These findings were also in accordance with current literature, which stated an3
increase of physical activity with pitch size as players had more space to cover while4
attempting to attack (score or conserving the ball) or defend (getting back the ball or5
protecting their own goal) (2). Finally, the number of players involved also had a significant6
influence on MSSSSG (r=0.38; p<0.05). The more players, the higher MSSSSG. These findings7
were in accordance with the current literature and confirmed what authors observed over high8
intensity activity (13,26,33,35). The more players involved, the more the SSG situations were9
close to the match situation and the more MSSSSG were close to MSSmatch. The present study10
confirmed the current finding about the high intensity activity of during training and match,11
and was the first one to observe the MSS reached during SSG of elite soccer players.12
13
From the data it can be concluded that no differences were observed between elite14
professional players vs. elite amateur players in the MSS reached during matches.15
Differences were observed between playing positions, as wide players reached higher MSS16
than central players, probably because they are more frequently involved in decisive actions17
to unbalance the opponent and create goal situations. Differences were also observed18
between the MSS reached during match play when compared to SSG. The analysis of the19
SSG rules revealed that the closer the SSG was to the match situation in term of surface area,20
number of players involved and the presence of goals and GKs, the closer the MSSSSG was to21
the MSSmatch. During the sided-games, wide players reached a higher MSSSSG than central22
players, confirming the relevance of SSG as specific soccer training drills.23
24
PRACTICAL APPLICATION25
Current findings might help individuals involved within the physical preparation of26
players (e.g. technical coaches, fitness coaches, and sport science staff) when developing27
training programs and training sessions in line with the playing positions, and with the levels28
of high speed running targeted to reach during specific training drills like sided-games.29
Indeed, the closer to match-play situations regarding the rules with goals, goalkeepers, the30
larger pitch sizes and greater number of players involved, the higher sprinting speed running31
players would reach during sided-games. However, coaches are advised to add specific speed32
drills to sided-games in order to elicit a stimulus of high-speed running high enough to33
prepare players for competition.34
35
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS36
The authors want to thank all the staff and players involved in the study. The authors37
also want to state that the results of the present study do not constitute endorsement of the38
product by the authors of the NSCA.39
40
REFERENCES41
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12
Table 1. Small-sided games details and rules1
Type of SSG Rules
Pitch size
(m)
Area per player
(m2
)
11 vs. 11 + GK 102 x 66 306
10 vs. 10 + GK 60 x 50 150
9 vs. 9 + GK 70 x 55 212
9 vs. 9 + GK 50 x 60 166
8 vs. 8 + GK 60 x 40 150
8 vs. 8 Score in mini goals 60 x 50 185
8 vs. 8 Ball-conservation 45 x 50 140
7 vs. 7 + GK 34 x 38 92
6 vs. 6 + GK 50 x 60 166
6 vs. 6 + GK 40 x 40 133
5 vs. 5 + GK 40 x 36 142
5 vs. 5 Score in mini goals 40 x 30 120
4 vs. 4 + GK 40 x 42 210
SSG=small-sided-game, GK=goalkeeper2

DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001642
13
Table 2. Maximal and percentage of maximal sprinting speed reached by soccer players.1
Variables Group CD WD CM WM FW
All
players
MSStest
Pro
m 30.59 31.02 30.89 31.54 32.26 30.93
(km.h-1) sd 1.08 1.26 1.42 0.99 1.18 1.37
MSStest
Amateur
m 30.55 32.18 31.47 31.60 30.76 31.41
(km.h-1) sd 0.99 1.28 1.78 1.72 1.42 1.60
MSStest
Combined
m 30.56 31.67 $
31.12 31.81 $
31.93$$$
31.28
(km.h-1) sd 1.04 1.37 1.58 1.37 1.37 1.46
MSSmatch
Pro
m 27.95 29.13 28.17 30.12 30.18 28.60
(km.h-1) sd 4.00 2.15 2.62 1.59 1.94 2.89
MSSmatch
Amateur
m 29.00 30.70 28.06 29.39 29.28 29.07
(km.h-1) sd 2.49 2.02 2.21 2.96 1.80 2.47
MSSmatch
Combined
m 28.25 30.02 €
28.13 29.86 29.98 €
28.93
(km.h-1) sd 3.63 2.18 2.45 2.14 1.92 2.74
% MSS Pro
m 91.32% 93.88% 91.16% 95.48% 93.58% 91.62%
sd 12.37% 4.93% 7.01% 3.98% 5.80% 8.08%
% MSS Amateur
m 94.98% 95.40% 89.28% 92.54% 95.15% 92.51%
sd 8.17% 4.87% 6.74% 4.83% 2.81% 6.00%
% MSS Combined
m 92.38% 94.74% 90.42% 93.88% 93.93% 92.45%
sd 11.33% 4.85% 6.92% 4.99% 5.29% 7.49%
MSS=maximal sprinting speed, MSStest=tested MSS, MSSmatch= MSS reached in match,2
CD=central defenders, WD=wide defenders, CM=central midfielders, WM=wide3
midfielders, FW=forwards.4
$
higher than CD for the same measure ($
:p<0.05, $$
:p<0.01, $$$
:p<0.001)5
€
higher than CM for the same measure (p<0.05)6

DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001642
14
Table 3. Maximal sprinting speed of elite soccer players reached during different types of1
small-sided games and a match2
Playing
positions
CD WD CM WM FW All players
SSG types m sd m sd m sd m sd m sd m sd
Match 29.53 1.34 30.25 1.48 26.48 0.95 29.40 0.57 27.00 0 28.66*£$
1.93
10 vs. 10
+ GK
23.07 0.32 25.95 1.54 24.10 1.64 23.20 5.37 27.00 0 24.49 2.31
9 vs. 9 +
GK
(70x55m)
25.50 1.32 27.95 2.04 24.45 4.49 23.80 1.41 24.10 0 25.56£
2.97
9 vs. 9 +
GK
(50x60m)
22.30 3.29 27.40 1.32 23.70 2.10 26.35 1.20 27.30 0 25.09$
2.80
8 vs. 8 +
GK
25.30 2.21 25.70 1.56 23.83 1.98 26.45 1.63 25.10 0 25.14£
1.82
8 vs. 8
(mini
goals)
26.30 1.54 27.80 2.02 22.58 2.96 28.65 1.20 20.80 0 25.61 3.33
8 vs. 8 22.43 2.95 23.83 1.84 20.90 0.62 25.20 0.14 20.60 0 22.66 2.22
7 vs. 7 23.17 0.58 23.25 2.98 21.50 1.35 23.50 1.56 20.10 0 22.54 1.97
7 vs. 7 +
GK
20.73 3.70 19.38 0.56 20.03 2.44 20.90 1.70 17.60 0 19.94 2.14
6 vs 6 +
GK
(50x60m)
23.17 5.62 27.68 1.59 25.40 2.45 26.30 4.95 25.00 0 25.67£
3.39
6 vs 6 +
GK
(40x40m)
24.20 0.96 26.70 2.41 23.80 2.87 25.25 2.47 24.90 0 25.00£$
2.31
5 vs. 5 +
GK
24.40 4.68 23.13 3.59 22.95 1.95 21.05 0.35 23.50 0 23.08 2.88
5 vs. 5 17.27 0.91 22.93 2.29 22.00 1.02 22.15 1.34 19.90 0 21.12 2.58
5 vs. 5
(mini
goals)
20.30 6.88 22.83 1.62 23.65 2.06 22.50 0.57 25.90 0 22.69 3.36
4 vs. 4 +
GK
22.33 1.42 22.98 2.66 22.40 0.51 22.45 1.34 20.50 0 22.42 1.59
All SSG
combined
22.89 3.53 24.82CMCD
3.12 22.95 2.44 24.13CM
2.81 23.02 3.04 23.64 3.08
GK: presence of goals and goalkeepers5
*
Higher than all others SSG types (p<0.01); £
Higher than 7vs.7 + GK rule (p<0.0005); $
6
Higher than 5vs.5 rule (p<0.0005)7
CM
Higher than CM (p<0.001); CD
Higher than CD (p<0.001)8

DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001642
15
Table 4. Percentage of match maximal sprinting speed of elite soccer players reached during1
different type of small-sided games2
Playing
positions
CD WD CM WM FW All players
SSG types m sd m sd m sd m sd m sd m sd
10 vs. 10
+ GK
78.18 2.53 85.83 4.49 91.05 5.79 79.10 19.80 100.00 0 85.73 9.37
9 vs. 9
+ GK
(70x55m)
86.40 4.35 92.33 3.23 92.14 14.82 81.01 6.37 89.26 0 89.17£
8.77
9 vs. 9
+ GK
(50x60m)
75.83 13.48 90.62 2.94 89.76 10.37 89.68 5.81 101.11 0 87.82£
10.40
8 vs. 8
+ GK
85.83 9.04 84.92 1.15 90.02 7.46 90.04 7.26 92.96 0 87.88£€
6.13
8 vs. 8
(mini goals)
89.34 9.46 91.82 2.50 85.12 8.91 97.43 2.21 77.04 0 89.12 7.93
8 vs. 8 75.92 8.58 78.72 3.82 78.97 2.10 85.73 2.13 76.30 0 79.02 5.08
7 vs. 7 78.49 1.69 77.10 11.22 81.15 2.12 80.00 6.83 74.44 0 78.78 6.20
7 vs. 7
+ GK
69.95 9.72 64.10 1.62 75.68 9.49 71.16 7.14 65.19 0 69.75 7.90
6 vs 6
+ GK
(50x60m)
78.33 17.50 91.83 9.48 95.95 8.90 89.31 15.12 92.59 0 89.81£
12.15
6 vs 6
+ GK
(40x40m)
82.08 5.57 88.27 6.74 90.01 11.76 85.82 6.77 92.22 0 87.37£$
7.86
5 vs. 5
+ GK
82.45 13.64 76.43 11.37 86.68 6.61 71.60 0.18 87.04 0 80.72 10.08
5 vs. 5 58.50 2.91 75.89 7.84 83.23 5.88 75.31 3.12 73.70 0 74.02 10.35
5 vs. 5
(mini goals)
69.53 26.76 75.52 5.39 89.29 6.47 76.53 0.45 95.93 0 79.77 14.35
4 vs. 4
+ GK
75.86 8.07 75.99 8.77 84.68 3.27 76.33 3.10 75.93 0 78.49 6.89
All SSG
combined
77.62CM
12.30 82.10CM
10.11 86.70 8.98 82.07 9.62 85.26 11.27 82.67 10.74
GK: presence of goals and goalkeepers5
£
Higher than 7vs.7 + GK rule (p<0.0005); $
Higher than 5vs.5 rule (p<0.0005); €
Higher than6
8vs.8 (p<0.0005)7
CM
Lower than CM (p<0.005)8

Maximal sprinting speed of elite soccer players

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