ABSTRACT The present study aims to compare players’ tactical behavior and performance in Small-Sided and Conditioned Games when playing against opponents from different age levels (Under-13 and Under-15). Participated in this study 93 players from U-13 (n=42) and U-15 (n=51) teams, who performed 7,416 tactical actions. The instrument used was the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUT-SAT) to analyze players’ tactical actions. Descriptive statistics and independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney were used considering the value of p<0.05. Results indicated that the players in the U-13 age level obtained a better percentage of success in the movements supporting the player in possession of the ball, and the U-15 players performed more movements that allow the team to defend in unity. In addition, players of both age levels performed similarly, although U-13 players suffered more fouls and won more throwins or corner kicks, whereas the U-15 age level was more effective in regaining possession of the ball but suffered fewer attacks to their goal. It was concluded that the players of the U-15 age are more compacted compared to the U-13 players. Besides, both age performances were similar even though the players of the U-15 age level were more effective.

Este estudo teve por objetivo identificar o efeito da idade relativa em Copas do Mundo de Futebol masculino e feminino em diferentes categorias. Foram coletadas as datas de nascimento de 1886 jogadores, divididas por categoria e por quartis Q1 (jan-mar), Q2 (abr-jun), Q3 (jul-set) e Q4 (out-dez). Foi realizada a análise descritiva e utilizou-se o teste estatístico qui-quadrado (χ2) sendo p<0,05, utilizando o software SPSS for Windows(r) versão 18.0. No masculino, na categoria profissional foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre Q1 e Q3. Já na categoria Sub-20 foram encontradas entre quatro comparações, Q1 e Q2, Q1 e Q3, Q1 e Q4, Q2 e Q4. No feminino, não houve diferenças significativas. Conclui-se que o efeito da idade relativa está presente nas Copas do Mundo de Futebol masculino. Já no feminino, este efeito não se mostrou presente na amostra.

This study aimed to identify the relative age effect in World Cups male and female Soccer in different categories. Dates of birth 1886 players, divided by category and quartiles Q1 (Jan-March), Q2 (April to June), Q3 (Jul-Set) and Q4 (Oct-Dec) were collected. Descriptive analysis was performed and used the chi-square statistic (χ2) test with p <0.05, using the SPSS software version 18.0 for Windows (r). In the male statistically significant differences were found in the professional category, between Q1 and Q3, and the Under-20 category, out of four comparisons, Q1 and Q2, Q1 and Q3, Q4 and Q1, Q2 and Q4. In females, no significant differences. It is concluded that the relative ageeffect is present in World Cups male. In women, this influence was not sampled.