Offside como restricción en small-sided games de fútbol. Una revisión de alcance

Abstract

Small‑sided games (SSGs) are key tools in constraints‑led soccer training; however, the offside rule is often omitted without a clear rationale. The objective was to map and synthesize evidence on the offside rule as a task constraint in soccer SSGs and its effects on tactical‑positional behavior and physical/physiological demands. A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA‑ScR. Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and PubMed, were searched on May 2026. Two reviewers independently screened titles/abstracts and full texts; disagreements were resolved by consensus. Empirical studies implementing the offside rule in soccer SSGs were included. Of 38 records identified and 35 after duplication, 4 studies met the inclusion criteria. Evidence indicates that including the offside rule constrains collective dynamics by reducing team length and spatial exploration relative to no‑offside conditions. In larger pitch conditions, removing the offside rule increases total distance and moderate‑speed running, whereas internal load (heart rate) remains stable in very small formats (e.g., 3v3). Available evidence suggests that incorporating the offside rule may enhance task representativeness without substantially increasing physiological cost in small formats. Key evidence gaps remain for female soccer and senior professional populations, highlighting the need for standardized operational definitions and longitudinal research.