Technical and physical load variables at different positions in U18 semi-professional soccer players: differences between the first and second half

Abstract

Among the many factors that can affect men’s soccer performance, technical and tactical actions can obscure relevant game data, even affecting specialists in both the programming and design of training tasks. We aimed to evaluate the technical and physical load variables of different positions in U18 semi-professional soccer players and observe the differences between the first and second halves during 10 matches of the 2021/2022 Spanish Football U18 National League Championship. A total of 246 match records (10 matches) were collected from the 2021/2022 Spanish Football U18 National League Championship. Two teams participated, with a total of 49 athletes. Our study’s results indicate that, concerning technical performance, no significant differences between halves were found for goalkeepers, wingers, and forwards. However, significant declines were observed in the number of ball contacts, different actions per time, and possessions per time among central defenders, lateral defenders, and central midfielders. Regarding the observed physical load demands, it was noted that in outfield players, there was a significant decline in total distances covered at different speed thresholds, as well as a decrease in the number and distance of acceleration measures, most of which were lower in the second halves compared to the first, irrespective of playing positions. This study contributes to enhancing our understanding of the multifaceted dynamics of soccer performance and provides valuable insights for coaches, players, and researchers aiming to optimize player performance.