The Benefits of Small-Sided Games for Player Development

Small-sided games provide players extensive opportunities to understand the connection between their actions and factors like interpersonal distance and relative velocity. This exposure helps players improve their perceptual skills and learn to achieve key performance outcomes such as managing interpersonal distance effectively. In contrast to full-sided games, small-sided games offer a more dynamic environment where players are actively engaged, allowing individuals to influence and disrupt the game system. Moreover, small-sided games enable players to experience various play sub-phases, like a three-on-one break, and learn effective strategies to stabilize or destabilize these scenarios. Research also indicates that small-sided games enhance players' awareness of their teammates' actions, fostering shared affordances and effective teamwork.