These are football games with fewer players competing on a smaller sized field.  These are fun games that encourage players to have more contact with the ball because fewer players are playing in a smaller playing area.  All ages can play “Small Sided Games”, but it has a definite developmental impact on younger football players.

It makes the game of football a better experience for the children. More touches on the ball, more opportunities to make decisions, more actual play.  Players will perform more energetic workouts due to playing both attacking and defensive roles.  While learning both offence and Defence, a player will become all rounded and will understand more readily the roles and importance of team-mates.

The idea of small-sided games for young players is not new.  US Youth Football has been a proponent of small-sided games since the 1980s. Small sided games are endorsed by the USA, England, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Germany, France, and Korea national coaching committees, to name a few! As well as in Australia NNSW, NT and ACT.

The 11 v 11 format is the adult version of the game. Using an adult size field and goals makes little sense for children under the ages of twelve.

It’s not really correct to say other sports don’t alter their games.  A number of other sports make some modifications to cater for younger players.  Playing football on a small field is a move 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 and it helps towards player’s technical development.

I didn’t grow up playing this way!  

True!  Football was traditionally played 11 v 11 for all age groups.  However this isn’t true any longer, small-sided game formats are in use all over the world.

Progressing from 4 v 4, 5 v 5 to 7 v 7  9v9 BEFORE 11 v 11 is a sound educational method.  The problem is that young players were forced into 11 v 11 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.  The decision to play small-sided games is based on “age alignment with player technical development philosophy.

The role of goalkeeper in football is uniquely specialised and typically players develop as keepers at a later age.  At the youngest age groups keepers can be uninvolved in the game for long periods, which can be uninteresting and cold.  Having no keepers allows all players to be fully involved.

Links:
Small Sided Games Information

 Small Sided Games Handbook (760.24 KB)