Enhancing problem-solving skills and creative thinking abilities in U-13 soccer players: the impact of rondo possession games’ training

To investigate the impact of Rondo possession games, played in different field geometries with complex rules, on the development of problem-solving skills and creative thinking abilities in U-13 youth soccer players. In a repeated-measures and a randomized controlled trial study design, twenty-four competitive young male U-13 soccer players were split into: the training (TG, n = 12) and control (CG, n = 12) groups (matched for age, body height body mass index; and training experience; with weekly training of ~5.5 hours/week for both groups). TG performed a training programme once a week for 8 weeks integrating Rondo possession games with periodized variations, such as player formats, field shapes, duration, pitch sizes, and rest times. Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) - Graphic-Figural-Creativity (abstractness-title, resistance-closure, originality, elaboration, and fluency - GFC), Problem-Solving-Inventory (problem-solving-confidence, approach-avoidance-style and personal-control - PSI) and Verbal-Creativity (flexibility, originality, fluency - VC) - were performed over time and between groups. We observed significant main effects of time (p < 0.001-0.005, <i>ƞ</i> ²p: 0.30-0.76 [large]) and group (p < 0.001-0.002, <i>ƞ</i> ²p: 0.36-0.60 [large]), as well as a significant interaction effect of time × group (p: < 0.001-0.013, <i>ƞ</i> ²p: 0.24-0.48 [large]) of all GFC, PSI and VC test indices. In the TG group, all TTCT indices showed significant improvement in all indices at the post-test compared to pre-test (-29.90%-227.27%, d: 1.03-4.66 [large]). This study showed that 8 weeks of integrated Rondo possession games with structured geometric variations and rule complexity significantly boosted problem-solving skills and creative thinking in U-13 soccer players. These findings suggest a promising direction for youth soccer training, focusing on developing well-rounded players capable of intelligent and flexible gameplay in diverse scenarios.