Small-sided games in floorball: impact on technical actions in players aged 7-18.

BACKGROUND: Small-sided games (SSGs; modified match play with fewer players and a smaller pitch) are widely used in team sports to develop adaptable movement skills and decision-making in game-like contexts. However, evidence is limited on how different SSG formats affect technical actions in youth floorball. This study examined how different SSG formats influence technical actions by outfield players in floorball, and whether these effects differ by age group and biological sex. METHODS: Twenty-four youth floorball teams across four age groups, with equal numbers of male and female teams, participated in this observational study. Teams performed four SSG formats (2v2, 3v3, 4v4, and 5v5) in a randomized order while being video-recorded. Technical actions by outfield players were analyzed using multilevel linear models to examine the effects of SSG format, age group, and sex. RESULTS: SSG format was a significant predictor of player involvement across all outcomes (p < 0.001), with smaller formats associated with greater individual engagement. Age group influenced several technical actions, whereas sex showed no significant effects. Significant age group*SSG interactions indicated that the effects of SSG format varied across age groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide sport-specific evidence for youth floorball and show that SSG effects on technical involvement vary with age. Coaches should therefore consider age when selecting SSG formats, as smaller formats increase player engagement while larger formats may better support tactical involvement in older players.