New approach to small side games in basketball based on number of players, perception of effort and recovery

Abstract

Small sided games (SSG) are commonly used in team sports because they maintain the essence of the game through changes in the number of players, space or rules while maintaining the psychological and tactical parts of the game (Fuentes Azpiroz, Feu, Jiménez, y Calleja-González, 2013). Our goal is to analyze four types of widely used SSG in basketball that have not been studied: three against three against three against three (i.e., 3 vs. 3 vs. 3 vs. 3), four against four against four (i.e., 4 vs. 4 vs. 4), five against five against five (i.e., 5 vs. 5 vs. 5), and three against two continuous (i.e., 3 vs. 2 continuous). During eight weeks of training with 15 junior players, the relationship between rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and intensity was studied through physiological variables (internal and external load). Results show that the SSG 3 vs. 3 vs. 3 vs. 3 turns out to be the most intense in RPE (3.41 ±) and maximum heart rate (184.50 ± 37.71 bpm). Also, the results of this research show how the SSG 3 vs. 3 vs. 3 vs. 3 is the most useful in eliciting strong responses in various psychophysiological parameters and as it occurs in other studies, less players and more space make the SSG more intense except in situations of superiority. The correct use of recovery between JR will help in the optimization of the training session.