The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of playing small-sided games of soccer with a change in pitch area per player. Two types of small-sided games, “pitch area per player was small”, and “pitch area per player was large”, were played by two first year junior high school PE classes. Twenty students participated in the game with a small pitch area per player (S group), and 20 students participated in the game with a large pitch area per player (L group). Before and after classes, a skill test (figure eight dribble), a fitness test (150m sprint with changing direction ; 25m×6 times, rest interval 30s), and a test game were conducted. In addition, students’ formative evaluation was conducted after each class. The main results were as follows :
1) The results of figure eight dribble improved significantly after classes in both groups.
2) The mean time for 6 sprints improved significantly after classes in the L group.
3) There were no significant differences in the distance covered and heart rate during the game after classes in both groups.
4) The score in way of learning and cooperation in students’ formative evaluation tended to decrease as class progressed in both groups.
These results suggest that improvement of energy-related physical fitness could be obtained in the game with a large pitch area per player, although improvement of technique could be obtained regardless of size of pitch area in small-sided games.
