Table 1. Description of the training regimens employed over the intervention period. SSG SSG HIIT HIIT Session 1 Session 2 Session 1 Session 2 Week 1 442’/3’ rest Format of play: 2v2 442’/3’ rest Format of play: 2v2 442’&15’’:15’’ @ 90%VIFT/3’ rest 442’&15’’:15’’ @ 90%VIFT/3’ rest Week 2 442’/3’ rest Format of play: 2v2 442’/3’ rest Format of play: 2v2 442’&15’’:15’’ @ 90%VIFT/3’ rest 442’&15’’:15’’ @ 90%VIFT/3’ rest Week 3 442’/3’ rest Format of play: 2v2 442’/3’ rest Format of play: 2v2 442’&15’’:15’’ @ 90%VIFT/3’ rest 442’&15’’:15’’ @ 90%VIFT/3’ rest Week 4 442’/3’ rest Format of play: 2v2 442’/3’ rest Format of play: 2v2 442’&15’’:15’’ @ 90%VIFT/3’ rest 442’&15’’:15’’ @ 90%VIFT/3’ rest Week 5 444’/3’ rest Format of play: 4v4 444’/3’ rest Format of play: 4v4 444’@ 85%VIFT/3’ rest 444’@ 85%VIFT/3’ rest Week 6 444’/3’ rest Format of play: 4v4 444’/3’ rest Format of play: 4v4 444’@ 85%VIFT/3’ rest 444’@ 85%VIFT/3’ rest Week 7 444’/3’ rest Format of play: 4v4 444’/3’ rest Format of play: 4v4 444’@ 85%VIFT/3’ rest 444’@ 85%VIFT/3’ rest Week 8 444’/3’ rest Format of play: 4v4 444’/3’ rest Format of play: 4v4 444’@ 85%VIFT/3’ rest 444’@ 85%VIFT/3’ rest SSG: small-sided games; HIIT: high-intensity interval training; VIFT: final velocity at 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test; @: at; ‘: minutes; ’’: seconds.