Soccer Coaching
"Discussing the Small Sided Games Concept"

Steve,

My stance on 'small sided' games has not changed in over 20 years. I believe in the 5-7-9-11 progression. That is the age of the child - minus one equals the number of players on the field (during league play). That is:

U-6  -1= 5 vs. 5
U-8  -1= 7 vs. 7
U-10-1= 9 vs. 9
U-12-1= 11 vs. 11

The game to me is the (test) for the next practice. We need to find out what weaknesses the youth soccer players have under game conditions. Beginning with the 5v5 game -which can be with or without GK - amounts to 4 vs. 4 on the field. Player with ball needs support -front -side and back -that is equal to four players.

7vs. 7 gives the youth coach an opportunity to work with back, midfield and front line (2-2-2 system). And 9vs9 is the odd number of players on the field that the game demands in 11 vs. 11. This is an educational approach to the game.

Also, every two years the youth soccer players grow mentally and physically by two years and so they are given two more opponents in the game. A progressive approach to the development of the youth soccer players.

This is a games approach and the game should be test for what is needed in practice - I know I'm repeating myself. The reason is that many peers disagree with this progression -they however look at the game as an event. One with winners and losers - I would rather look at it as a test -no more no less.

The other type of small sided games can and should be played in practice! However, the 1 vs. 1 small sided game should be played daily...!

This is my opinion - I could be wrong...!

If I can be of further assistance - Please let me know.

Your FUNdamentalKoach,
Karl Dewazien

Here is Coach Bender's Response:

Koach Karl,

Regarding U-12 small sided games...I have to disagree with you to a degree on your age minus 1 rule of thumb. Based on what I have watched develop in my daughter's age over the last three years, and the difference I've seen in the two games played down.

If we are talking about a predominately homogeneous team in terms of some level of experience above beginner, then yes, I agree wholeheartedly. I've seen girls who have developed a collection of skills necessary to play the game come together on all star teams and do outstanding things. I watched the "second stringers" that I coached completely dominate my daughter's own youth soccer team bound for the tournament. The 2-0 score attributed in part to the fact she had 8 outstanding saves for the losing side--or it would have been much worse. My youth soccer team passed not to open space, but to players moving in to open space. They passed back when the way forward was shut, and immediately pushed forward. I know that U-11 & U-12 players can handle the 11 v. 11 game.

But in the youth soccer league I administer, we have 128 U-12 girls and 125 U-11. Of those, 33 have never played soccer before this season. Instead of the good soccer I saw from our All Stars, we have herds of thundering elephants chasing balls around the field. They do not have the ability early in the season to make the good passes that keep control of the game. They don't understand what space is, and because there are players who are much more skilled, coaches and better players limit their touches unconsciously, thus depriving them of the opportunity to develop.

After watching our youth soccer team of 14 go against an opponent with only 7 girls on Palm Sunday (our rule is play down from 11 to 7) I watched girls who have no talent and only rudimentary skills grasp the game concept for the first time--for some of them. Everyone out there was making good things happen with the ball and with space. They talked to one another--and listened. They played a level of soccer much higher than I expected.

So, in a setting where one in 8 U-12 players is a first season player, I would say that the 8 v. 8 or 9 v. 9 format would help get the player clutter out of the game and force those on the field to play to space. I don't want you to change your position, but if you had seen it for yourself--and knew how they usually played, you might. After all, part of the reason for small sides at young ages is they can't make the longer plays, but part is also to force more touches for the development of the beginning player. That part doesn't change as they age if they haven't played soccer while doing so.

I agree completely with the test approach. I never know until Saturday night what next week's practices are. Thursday, for example, we worked on a problem from last weekend--lots of great throws down the line that are touched with the inside foot and immediately put out again. In the games I refereed for U-12 boys, I would say that well over 70 percent of the throw-ins were the result of a one-touch play out of bounds. Our girls were close to 50 (irrespective of whether it was a teammate or opponent that played it out). Each week there's something new to work on--and its so much easier when you can begin a point with "Remember on Saturday when....?"

Yours in soccer,
Steve Bender