NEW HAMPSHIRE SOCCER ASSOCIATION Youth and Amateur Divisions Affiliated with USYS, USASA, USSF, and FIFA. Benefits of Small Sided Games

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1 NEW HAMPSHIRE SOCCER ASSOCIATION Youth and Amateur Divisions Affiliated with USYS, USASA, USSF, and FIFA Benefits of Small Sided Games Prepared for EDP Kickoff Meeting Spring 2005 By Mark Ruest NHSA Director of Coaching

2 The implementation of small sided games may be the biggest advancement in youth sports. For the first time, age appropriateness and educational philosophies have been used as the foundation to create an environment that meets the specific needs of the youth player. Small Sided games provide for more fun and a better setting for learning and development. *The majority of the information in this handout was obtained directly from or is supported by the USYS Documents and Resources listed later in this paper. Benefits Creates a Simple to Complex progression as players move through the system (3 vs. 3 -> 4 vs. 4 -> 6 vs. 6 -> 8 vs. 8). Adding players to an activity increase it s complexity dramatically. (See Lines of Interaction Section) Lower Player to Ball Ratio (6 vs. 6 is 1 ball per 12)(11 vs. 11 is 1 ball per 22) = More opportunities to have the ball = More touches = Better development of Technique / Skill. -> Without technique, a player cannot implement tactics. Fewer players per game and a smaller area in which to play means players are more likely to be involved in the game. Simpler decisions are made frequently = Still challenging environment but easier to read the game and make good decisions. More opportunities to make decisions means more opportunities to learn from the results of their choices. Smaller playing area & fewer players = quicker transitions = increased speed of play. Meets players Physical Needs / Abilities Smaller playing area means more exposure to all phases of the game (i.e., Defending in front of your own goal / Working to score goals / Midfield Play / etc.). Ball isn t stuck in midfield. Reasonable distance to get ball from defensive to attacking portions of the field = More realistic soccer. More opportunities to score -> Shooting and scoring are often the primary measures of success to players and parents. More shots = More opportunities for goalkeepers to make saves -> Improved GK Technique and Tactics. Better Player to Coach ratio = More individual attention = potential for more development and enjoyment. U6 and U8 = No real positional play -> Free play means you play All Positions -> Developing a well rounded player. U10 and U12 beginning to understand the roles and responsibilities of positions and positional play in a less complicated environment. The full 11 vs. 11 game is really composed of small sided games. The area where these games occur and which players are involved simply changes as the ball is shifted from space to space. Therefore, players need to learn the small sided environment if they wish to play skillfully in the eleven-a-side game.

3 Who Endorses Small Sided Games Every US Youth Soccer State Director of Coaching USSF National Staff USYS National Staff Several National Soccer Federations from all over the globe. USYS Small Sided Game Basic Recommended Specifications Age Group Playing Format Field Size Ball Size U6 3 vs. 3 No GK 25 x 20 3 U8 4 vs. 4 No GK 30 x 25 3 U10 6 vs. 6 Includes GK 55 x 40 4 U12 8 vs. 8 Includes GK 75 x 50 4 US Youth Soccer Small Sided Game Resources (Downloads) USYS Small Sided Games Manual Comprehensive for Coaches / Organizers USYS Small Sided Games Brochure Pamphlet for Parents USYS Small Sided Games International National Associations Implementing Small Sided Games USYS Small Sided Games PowerPoint Slide Show Comprehensive Information Regarding SSG s

4 Lines of Interaction * Each line in the diagrams below, regardless of how the line appears (Color/Pattern/Shape of line), represents a line of interaction / communication. Notice how much more complicated the 8 vs. 8 picture appears compared to the 3 vs. 3 picture.

5 California Youth Soccer Association South Study A sampling of a study conducted by California Youth Soccer Association South is below. Computer software was used to track U8 players in 4 vs. 4 and 8 vs. 8 environments. Results from three players are below. *The Information below was obtained from USYS Small Sided Games PowerPoint Presentation. Circled answers represent better scores. Jackie Goals 1 1 Shots on Goal 1 1 Impact Shots 0 9 Completed Passes 18 3 Lost Passes 28 9 Total Passes Completion Ratio 39% 25% Intercepted Opp.'s Passes 42 9 *Jackie was a forward in the 8 vs. 8 game. Laura Goals 2 0 Shots on Goal 3 0 Impact Shots 0 0 Completed Passes 10 5 Lost Passes 21 3 Total Passes 31 8 Completion Ratio 32% 62% Intercepted Opp.'s Passes 17 5 Page Goals 2 0 Shots on Goal 5 0 Impact Shots 0 0 Completed Passes 10 0 Lost Passes 18 2 Total Passes 28 2 Completion Ratio 36% 0% Intercepted Opp.'s Passes 29 2