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

## TL;DR

This study shows that combining small-sided soccer games with differential learning improves players' skills and decision-making more effectively than using the games alone.

## Contribution

The study introduces a novel training approach combining Small-Sided Games with Differential Learning, showing enhanced skill development in amateur soccer players.

## Key findings

- Combining SSGs with DL led to larger improvements in technical and tactical skills compared to SSGs alone.
- Significant interaction effects were observed for possession, passes, tackling, and marking in the intervention group.
- The intervention group showed greater improvement effect sizes across multiple performance metrics.

## Abstract

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 decisionmaking (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.