Comparison of tactical offensive variables in different playing surfaces in sided games in soccer

In recent decades soccer has been analysed in great detail, enabling the technical and tactical aspects of the game to be improved through observation, analysis and training. However, there are not significant studies that particularly looked at the impact of the playing surfaces in depth. Thus the main aim of this study is to analyse and compare the quantitative and qualitative effect of the playing surface (grass, dirt or turf) on teams’ and players’ performances from a tactical perspective, through observing various sided games in youth soccer players. 54 games in three different formats (5v5, 7v7 and 9v9) were analysed, divided into two age groups (378 players of U-9 and U-14 categories) and filmed at three Spanish soccer clubs. This study used the observational and descriptive method and was carried out by systematic observation. This involved watching pre-recorded matches to observe and log different types of behaviour in previously defined categories. Results revealed that there were no significant differences for the different surfaces or game formats, and the study presents a description and analysis of the aspects that had considerable influence on the attacking moves for each surface and game format.