Why make the change to small-sided games?
The small-sided game approach makes the game of soccer a better experience for children. It offers players more touches on the ball, more opportunities to make decisions, more actual play, and more energetic workouts due to playing both attacking and defensive roles. By learning offense and defense, rather than just static positions, a player will become more complete and will understand more readily the roles and importance of their teammates.
Whose idea was this?
US Youth Soccer has been a proponent of small-sided games since the 1980’s. Small-sided games are endorsed by our national coaching committee, the State Directors of Coaching, US National Team, Coaches for Men & Women, including many foreign soccer organizations: England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, France, and Korea to name a few!
Why can’t the kids play 11v11 like "real" soccer?
The 11v11 format is the adult version of the game. Using an adult size field and goals makes little sense for children under the age of 12.
Other sports don’t alter their game - why does soccer?
It’s not a good comparison with football or baseball - neither has the element of transition that soccer does. Look at basketball - how many kids play basketball 5 on 5? Most basketball is played 1v1, 2v1, or 2v2 in a driveway! Kids don’t wait until they have nine friends to have a game! Playing on a small field is a more efficient use of space, it takes less time to advance for a shot on goal, and children are more actively involved for a longer period of time.
I didn’t grow up playing this way!
True! Whether you grew up in the USA or another country, soccer was traditionally played 11v11 for all age groups. This isn’t true any longer. These days the small-sided game formats are in use all over the world - not just in the U.S.
How will they learn to play 11v11?
Progressing from 3v3 to 4v4 to 6v6 to 8v8 before 11v11 is a sound educational method. The problem is that young players were forced into 11v11 before their bodies were physically developed to play the adult version of the game. Any notion that players will be less prepared to play 11v11 is not justified.
Are you saying we shouldn’t teach positions?
For the most part - YES! Sticking an Under-6 or Under-8 player in just one spot greatly reduces his or her opportunities to touch the ball and, consequently, the opportunity make decisions, right and wrong, on the field. Playing small-sided games allows every player to play offense and defense multiple times in just one game.
Won’t players just "bunch up" more?
No. Players aren’t limited by position, so each will explore new opportunities to get and receive the ball. Coaches encourage this process by teaching "triangles" and "diamonds" during practices, instead of forcing players into fixed positions. Players can then discover opportunities during the game. Remember: practices are the coaches’ time but the game belongs to the players. And the game is always the best teacher!
Does competitive or Travel have to play by this new rule?
The decision to play small-sided games is based on "age appropriate" philosophy - the level of play is not a factor. All players of that age group should play the same format.
Will this really work?
Sure it will! A large number of State Associations have been playing 3v3 with Under-6 players and 4v4 with Under-8 players successfully for more than a dozen years. Adopting 8v8 for Under-11 and Under-12 players is the fastest growing trend in youth soccer.
Where do I find rules?
The US Youth Soccer website (www.usyouthsoccer.org) has playing rules posted in the Coaches, Referees and Download Center pages. A free brochure, "Official Handbook: Introductory Rules for Small Sided Games U6 & U8" is available from your State Association. Links are also provided on our web site.
Will we need more coaches?
That’s a decision for each club to decide. Clubs adopting the "single field" method will need more coaches and fields to accommodate the smaller team rosters. Clubs adopting the "dual field" method keep the original team rosters and number of coaches but play two games split across one field.
Will we need more referees?
Small-sided games rarely need more than one referee to cover the field. Under-6 playing 3v3 rarely has the need for a referee to solve a dispute more serious than who’s kick-in it is. If you have a shortage of certified referees, consider using coaches or parents as "officials" - someone to monitor the game. Training materials specific to small sided games are available for free from US Youth Soccer or your State Association - Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA;
www.epysa.org).
Will we need more fields?
Rather than build new fields, some clubs "convert" existing ones. For U-12, 8v8 teams can play across the width of an existing full size field. 3v3 and 4v4 fields can be laid out in grassy spaces that were previously unsuitable for soccer. The smaller dimensions of a 3v3 field allow more possibilities.
Will we need more goals?
YES! But they need not be permanent or expensive. A number of manufacturers offer lightweight portable goals or we can make our own. Remember player safety is a priority - don’t let children hang or play on the goals.
Will we have to break up our current team rosters?
Again, it’s a club decision. Clubs adopting the "single field" will reduce team rosters by creating more teams. Clubs adopting the "dual field" will retain the original roster sizes.
How many players should be on a roster?
If playing 3v3, the roster should include no more than six players. If playing 4v4, no more than eight. Since participation is a priority, every player should play at least 50% of each game. If playing "dual field" you could have as many as nine or ten on a 3v3 roster, and in 4v4 as many as ten or eleven on a roster.
What is the "dual field" method?
The "dual field" method for 3v3 and 4v4 places two games side-by-side on one field, with the coaches and substitutes in between. Players rotate from Field "A" to Field "B" to substitute. Using this method maximizes player participation. How to coach two fields at once? That’s the beauty of two fields - you can’t! Let the kids play!
I’ve heard of "academy" and "scramble" methods - what are they?
Rather than a set number of players on a team roster, each player practices with a larger group of players and several coaches. On game day players are divided into teams of three or four for games. Practice groups or "academies" may be formed around neighborhoods or school attendance zones.
Will other State Associations play the same format as our state?
The rule change is a national policy. While each State Association is free to adopt the format they feel best meets the needs of its members, interplay between States is governed by this rule.
What is the easiest way to implement the new rules?
The largest hurdles are education and logistics. Parents, coaches, and referees need to be informed of the reasons for the change as well as the rules of play. Your State Association can provide coaching courses and clinics as well as assist with referee training. Converting existing fields is as simple as re-marking fields to the small-sided games dimensions and acquiring small goals.
Where do we go for help in implementing the small-sided games?
Coaching courses specific to each age group are available, as are free materials dealing with the small-sided game. Information is available on the US Youth Soccer website www.usyouthsoccer.org, and from the State Association (EPYSA;
www.epysa.org).
