SMALL SIDED GAMES (SSG)

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(No Transcript)
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SMALL SIDED GAMES (SSG)
COACHING EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Sam Snow, National
Director of Coaching Education
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SMALL SIDED GAMES

• Rationale
• The playing of appropriate soccer games for
  children under the age of 13 has become the
  lynchpin issue for future player and coach
  initiatives in the United States
• Soccer games smaller than 11v11 provide many
  critical advantages to players
• More touches of the ball
• Experience both technical and tactical situations
• Constant transition from attacking to defensive
  situations
• The opportunity to be in goal scoring position
  more often
• FUN !!!

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SMALL SIDED GAMES

• Rationale (Continued)
• In the current formats used, players under 11
  years of age are routinely structured into formal
  positions
• At these ages, their ability to comprehend
  spatial awareness and their lack of both
  technical and tactical range, means we are
  setting them up for failure
• Coaching games that demand midfield organization
  (above 6 v 6) are sometimes too complicated for
  both youth players and coaches

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Are States within the USA Moving to Small Sided
Games???
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SSG BENEFITS TO PLAYERS

• Maximize player participation
• Reduces the risk of players losing interest in
  the game
• Makes it difficult for players to hide in SSG,
  all players must attack and defend in order for
  their team to succeed (mobility)
• The game is less complicated and easier to
  understand

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SSG BENEFITS TO PLAYERS (Continued)

• Play all positions
• Simpler rules mean more FUN
• More playing time, which encourages maximum
  individual participation
• Increased participation improves fitness
• Maximizes opportunities to participate in
  critical decision making points in the game
• Maximizes Creativity

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Evidence of Playing Small Sided Games

• Observation Analysis
• The purpose of the following study conducted by
  the California Youth Soccer Association South,
  using SoftSport SecondLook software was to
  collect data to compare the 4 vs 4 game to the 8
  vs 8 game for U8 players

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Player Performance - Total PassesLaura Red Team
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Player Performance - Total PassesLaura Red Team
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Head-to-Head Comparison
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Player Performance - Total PassesJackie Blue
Team 2
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Player Performance - Total PassesJackie Blue
Team 2
Head-to-Head Comparison
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What Small Sided Games When?

• Recommendations
• U5 and U6 Players should play games of 3 v 3 with
  no goalkeepers
• U7 and U8 Players should play games of 4 v 4 with
  no goalkeepers
• U9 and U10 Players should play games of 6 v 6
  including goalkeepers
• U11 and U12 Players should play games of 8 v 8
  including goalkeepers

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Recommended field sizes

• 3 v 3 (25yds x 20yds)
• 4 v 4 (50yds x 30yds)
• 5 v 5 (50yds x 40yds)
• 6 v 6 (50yds x 40yds)
• 7 v 7 (60yds x 40yds)
• 8 v 8 (70yds x 50yds)

WE DONT HAVE ENOUGH FIELDS or SPACE!!!
SO HOW DO YOU IMPLEMENT
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Field Layout for the U8s 4 v 4

• Then
• 1 Full size field would allow 2 or 3 U8 fields
• 28 or 42 players with 7 v 7
• Now
• A Full size field would allow SIX (6) 30 x 25yd
  fields for U-8s playing 4 v 4
• 6 Fields
• 48 players with 4 v 4
• Result
• Same Space More Fields
• More Fields More Players
• Less Players per field More touches on the ball
  per player

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Field Layout for the U10s

• Then
• 1 Field 70 x 100/120 yards
• 22 players with 11v11
• Now
• A Full size field would allow TWO (2) 60 x 45yd
  fields for U-10s playing 6v6
• 2 Fields
• 24 players with 6v6
• Result
• Same Space More Fields
• More Fields More Players
• Less Players per field More touches on the ball
  per player

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LOGISTICAL ISSUES

• MODIFIED PLAYING RULES
• Field Markings size
• COACHES
• SSG keep it simpler for coaches to understand
  allowing more parents to get involved
• Field Coordinators
• Facilitators
• REFEREES
• No need for them in the U6 U8 matches
• Training for novice referees in U10 U12 matches
• ROSTER SIZE
• Less structured teams for U6 U8
• Players show up and play
• GOALS
• Cones or corner flags in lieu of, or in addition
  too regular goals

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Implementation Timeline

• U5-U6 3 v 3 (no GK) September 1, 2006
• U8 4 v 4 (no GK) September 1, 2006
• U10 6 v 6 September 1,
  2006
• U12 8 v 8 September 1,
  2006