International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences 12(6): 1010-1017, 2024 http://www.hrpub.org DOI: 10.13189/saj.2024.120612 Increase in Maximum Oxygen Volume (VO 2 Max) Based on the Small Side Game Method Ikhwanul Arifan 1,* , Eri Barlian 1 , M. Sazeli Rifki 2 , Haripah Lawanis 3 , Ardo Okilanda 1 , Muhammad Qadafi 1 , Vega Soniawan 1 , Syahril Bais 1 , Oca Fernandes 1 , Yovhandra Ockta 1 1 Department of Coaching Sports, Padang State University, Padang, Indonesia 2 Department of Recreation and Health, Padang State University, Indonesia 3 Department of Health, Recreation, and Physical Education, Padang State University, Indonesia Received August 24, 2024; Revised October 29, 2024; Accepted November 28, 2024 Cite This Paper in the Following Citation Styles (a): [1] Ikhwanul Arifan, Eri Barlian, M. Sazeli Rifki, Haripah Lawanis, Ardo Okilanda, Muhammad Qadafi, Vega Soniawan, Syahril Bais, Oca Fernandes, Yovhandra Ockta, "Increase in Maximum Oxygen Volume (VO2Max) Based on the Small Side Game Method," International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, Vol. 12, No. 6, pp. 1010 - 1017, 2024. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2024.120612. (b): Ikhwanul Arifan, Eri Barlian, M. Sazeli Rifki, Haripah Lawanis, Ardo Okilanda, Muhammad Qadafi, Vega Soniawan, Syahril Bais, Oca Fernandes, Yovhandra Ockta (2024). Increase in Maximum Oxygen Volume (VO2Max) Based on the Small Side Game Method. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 12(6), 1010 - 1017. DOI: 10.13189/saj.2024.120612. Copyright©2024 by authors, all rights reserved. Authors agree that this article remains permanently open access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0 International License Abstract VO2Max is very important in football games. Currently, the average Student Training Education Center (PPLP) West Sumatra football player has a low VO2Max capacity, so an exercise method is needed that can increase the athlete's VO2Max capacity. In this case, the researcher provides a small game training method to raise the VO2Max amount of players. The study's sample consisted of 40 people aged 14-17 years, using purposive sampling based on the researcher's own considerations. The players in this study sample have also been practicing for a long time, approximately 9 years. The average rise in scores between the first and final tests was found by statistical testing. It falls into the effective category with a minimum N Gain Score value of 0.4 and a maximum value of 0.9, and the pretest-posttest test results yielded a t-count value of -26.645 with a significance value of <0.01. If the sig value (2-tailed) < 0.05, then there is a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test results. So to increase good endurance in athletes, realistic exercises such as small side games are needed, so that the athlete's VO2Max capacity can increase properly. So it is highly recommended for football players to improve their endurance by using this small side game method. Small side games training, in addition to developing technical play, also greatly improves the physical condition of athletes. It is important for coaches to apply this training method to improve abilities. Keywords VO2Max Ability, Exercise Method, Physical qualities in Football, Young Athletes 1. Introduction Football games are played fast and with a high speed in the present day. Attack to defense and defense to defense shift swiftly in both directions [1], [2]. Football moves are made both with and without the ball (with and without the ball). As in playing rugby a player in a squad and a football match covers a total running distance of 10–11 km, or 14 km of territory covered. 3 - 4.5 km of ball movement and 3.6 - 4.5 km of running without the ball [1], followed by 500 - 800 m of high-intensity running (21 - 24 km/h). Football players do a variety of actions along the 10 to 14 km course. A lot of VO2Max is needed for football matches with high mobility and extended durations (2 x 45 minutes). Such as in the premier league a player needs a maximum oxygen capacity called VO2Max [2]. VO2Max is a body capacity measurement that can be represented in milliliters/minute/kg body weight or liters per minute [3]. VO2Max refers to the respiratory system's ability to absorb