Modern training of young soccer players is aimed at the simultaneous development of physical and technicaltactical qualities, while in the practice of coaches working with 10–12-year-old athletes a significant proportion of training time is still occupied by isolated exercises that are weakly related to the competitive structure of the game. One of the promising directions for optimising the training process is the use of small-sided formats 3×3, 4×4, 5×5, which increase the density of actions, the number of ball contacts and the frequency of decision-making. However, methodological foundations for using these formats as a means of integrated development of physical and technical-tactical qualities in 10–12-year-old soccer players remain insufficiently elaborated.
The aim of the study was to theoretically substantiate and experimentally assess the effectiveness of 3×3, 4×4 and 5×5 game formats as a means of integrated development of physical and technical-tactical qualities in 10–12-year-old soccer players. The research hypothesis assumed that systematic inclusion of specially organized small-sided games in the training process would ensure a more pronounced positive dynamics of speed, endurance and speed-strength indicators, as well as passing accuracy, dribbling efficiency and tactical actions compared with traditional training.
The study involved 10–12-year-old soccer players (n = 30) from a training group. The methods included analysis of scientific and methodological literature, pedagogical observation, pedagogical experiment, testing of physical qualities and technicaltactical skills, and methods of mathematical statistics. It was shown that the developed structure of the training microcycle with the use of 3×3, 4×4 and 5×5 formats contributes to an integrated improvement of the physical and technical-tactical performance of young soccer players and can be recommended for implementation in training practice.