Small Sided Games – What is up with the numbers?
George Kuntz Hawaii Youth Soccer Association – Technical Director/Director of Coaching
USSF A, MA Ed Education (Curriculum and Instruction)
UC Irvine Men’s Head Coach
There are many valid reasons why small sided games should be played for our youth. We all know that the game is the best teacher and playing small sided games provides children more opportunities for technical, tactical, and physical development. It also provides more enjoyment of participation. Seldom will you have young players ask for a full side field when they can play on a small field with goals.
Here are some of the best reasons why kids should be playing small sided games:
1. Players have more contact with the soccer ball (touches)
2. There are more decisions made due to less players on the field and more involvement per player
3. Players get more one on one coaching
4. Players have short attention spans so they get quite a bit of activity within a short time frame
5. The game is easier to understand when it is smaller
6. There are more goals scored.
7. Smaller fields create more involvement for every player
8. The game is easier for the parents to understand.
9. The players do not always just “boot” the ball up the field (at times they will)
Although the 55 USYSA state association director of coaches have recommended age appropriate small sided games and AYSO has clearly stated their position on their website about the subject it seems that many states, associations, areas, and regions do not play 4v4 at the U-8 level because of field space, volunteers, etc.
Recently, I was involved in some dialogue within a soccer group that actually had parents and administrators disappointed about not having U-8 players play 9 versus 9 in a local soccer area. That got me to thinking and asking questions. Although we all know there is no better teacher than the game why do these coaches, parents, and administrators feel the young kids should play larger sided games?
The comments I received from parents and administrators were:
1. Young players that always play smaller sided have great difficulty making the adjustment on the larger field
2. Younger players aren’t learning to strike a longer pass
3. Younger players playing in a system will learn the game faster.
4. A more physically advanced player at the younger age will take over games in the small sided game format and not in a 9v9 format.
5. It is too difficult to coach on two fields when you have two short sided games going on at the same time for your team.
There are some good questions and observations that can be addressed in this blog. I want to make it clear that this wasn’t the majority when surveyed. Your input is valued for this blog if we can help develop more goal scorers and creative players within our own soccer communities. Creating environments is a vital piece to the equation for the development of special players every youth, club, high school, college, and national team coach is seeking.
What are your thoughts about small sided games and the parents, coaches, and administrator’s thoughts?
