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Small Sided Games Small Sided Games ––the U12 Age Groupthe U12 Age Groupthe U12 Age Groupthe U12 Age Group

McKinney Soccer Association

North Texas State Soccer Association

US Youth Soccer

� Developmentally Appropriate◦ Technique

◦ Tactics

◦ Fitness

◦ Psychology

� Logistics of Implementation◦ Fields

U12 Small Sided GamesU12 Small Sided Games

◦ Fields

◦ Coaches

◦ Referees

◦ Parents

Developmentally AppropriateU12 is a crucial transitional age group

� 11-a-side soccer is the adult version of the game meant to be played by older adolescents and adults

� Since the era of pick-up games is past we must now consider the soccer environment for youth players in an adult dominated system

Developmentally AppropriateDevelopmentally Appropriate

dominated system

� A stair step progression to experience and grow within the game must be taken

Long Term DEVELOPMENT or Long Term DEVELOPMENT or Short Term Wins?...Short Term Wins?...� I often meet college players who are good athletes, but not good soccer players! Their playing ability does not

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playing ability does not live up to their athletic prowess.

� Are any of these players your children?

� Players who during puberty grow physically faster than their peers may be 1 to 3 years biologically ahead of their teammates. Consequently they are bigger, faster and stronger.

� The “bigger is better” approach can bring success in the won/loss record, resulting in everyone thinking all is well.


in everyone thinking all is well. Unfortunately these players may not be learning how to play soccer. Often they are limited in their balls skills and are tactically naïve.

� What’s more important for an U12 player, speed or skill?

◦ Generally speaking, the physically dominating U12 teams win the match. These players are bigger, stronger and, most importantly, faster. However, the most important aspect of an U12


However, the most important aspect of an U12 player’s game is technical speed. Improving technical speed puts a player on the road to tactical awareness.

� BALL SKILLS! BALL SKILLS! BALL SKILLS!

◦ When skillful players hit the field soccer is exciting and dynamic. The development of individual technique is first and foremost the responsibility of the players. Not enough players spend extra time with the ball trying to improve. Yet not enough of them are being asked by their coaches and teammates to do so.


so.

◦ Our goal is to have our players comfortable with the ball and excited about learning and trying new skills. This attitude toward technical development starts with the youth coach.

� Technical training at the U12 level must be as fun-filled and exciting as at younger levels. At the same time this training must be aimed at perfecting domination of the ball. In your training sessions have higher repetition, increased pressure, movement and intensity of effort. Improving ball skills is the main objective with this age group. Skills become


objective with this age group. Skills become an even more important factor at this point in their development because the players need to be introduced to general tactics as well.

At this point in their development, U12 players should be able to simultaneously run, strike the ball and THINK. The U12 player is usually eager to learn. The nature of training sessions is crucial

Developmentally Appropriate

sessions is crucial as it may stimulate or stifle the learning process.

Players in this age group should play 8 vs. 8 to

enhance their soccer abilities. This is true for all

levels of play, recreational or premier. At this point

in their physical and psychological development,

most ten and eleven year old children can play

rather than play at the game of soccer. Coaches

must be careful at this juncture and not fall victim


to the false assumption that these preadolescent

children are now able to play mature soccer.

� Tactics = player decisions

Skills are an important factor at this point in theirdevelopment because the players need to beintroduced to general tactics. Thetechnical/tactical possibility of switching the pointof attack occurs for these players on a slightlysmaller pitch. The ability to switch the attack fromone side of the pitch to the other with one or twotouches of the ball is now a real option. Thistechnical/tactical possibility keeps all of the players


technical/tactical possibility keeps all of the playerswithin the team connected (vertical and horizontalcompactness). When this age group plays 11 vs.11 on a large pitch the players on the side of thefield opposite to the ball become spectators to thegame, not players in the game.

The aspect of player development that will

be most impacted by the 8 vs. 8

environment is tactics. With fewer players

on a smaller pitch all players will be

continuously involved on “both sides of the

ball.” That is they all will be engaged in

both offense and defense throughout the


both offense and defense throughout the

match. A much greater demand for tactical

transition will occur in this small-sided

game.


The U12 age group is atransitional age for soccerplayers. These are playersin the throes of puberty.Moving from childhood intoadolescence they are goingadolescence they are goingthrough a myriad of changesemotionally, physically,intellectually and socially.The 8-a-side game serves astheir bridge into playing theadult soccer game of 11-a-side.

The U12 age is a fertilelearning period. Playersat this age can beexpected to be morethoughtful in meeting thedemands of the game.Small-Sided Gamesgenerate moreopportunities for problem


opportunities for problemsolving for the players towork out together. Hence“teamwork” is promoted!

Logistics of ImplementationWhere there’s a will there’s a way!

� Board of Directors education is #1◦ Vision for the club

� Parent education is #2◦ Customer (parents) orientation on how this change will benefit the consumers (players)

� Coach and Referee education is #3

Logistics of ImplementationLogistics of Implementation

� Coach and Referee education is #3◦ Practical application of the Vision

� Not enough field space or coaches or referees

� Many of the solutions to these challenges are found in the Small-Sided Games Resource Center on the US Youth Soccer web site


◦ Included are modified rules of play, field diagrams and roster recommendations

Coaching shortage can be overcome by the duel field method or the Master Coach method. Please note that no matter what format a

Logistics of Implementation

what format a club chooses there is always a shortage of coaches.

Logistics of Logistics of ImplementationImplementation

Referees at the U6 age group should be parents.

Referees at the U8 age group should be the coaches.the coaches.

Referees at the U10 and U12 age groups should included both experienced and novice referees.

LogisticsLogistics

The benefits of 8 a-side soccer forthese children far outweigh anylogistics or administrative administrative problemscreated for the adults. Our challengeis to find solutions!


� All aspects of 11-a-side soccer occur in 8-a-side soccer, so this is real soccer. real soccer. Parents can step back and let their child grow within the game through this age.

� Resources:

◦ Player Development Guidelines – Best Practices for Coaching Soccer in the United States, U.S. Soccer

◦ Small-Sided Games Manual, US Youth Soccer

◦ Vision, US Youth Soccer


◦ Vision, US Youth Soccer

◦ Skills School Technical Manual, US Youth Soccer

� To provide an environment that is PLAYER centered giving the player the opportunity to grow and enjoy competition

� To allow the GAME to teach

� To RETAIN players for a lifetime of participation which in turn benefits the club

Why Change?Why Change?

club

� To permeate the club with a mentality of EXCELLENCE which leads to success

� Because it’s the RIGHT thing to do!

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