BCSA Small Sided Games

Small Sided Games

Small Sided Games or Mini Soccer are any game played with less than eleven players per side.

Eleven-a-side soccer is an adult game devised by and for adults to enjoy.

BCSA includes all age groups up to adult, U12 and younger play Small Sided Games

The objective of small-sided games is a staircase approach for young players to grow into the adult game of 11 versus 11

Small Sided Games

B C S A Stairway of Development

U63 v 3

U7 / U84 v 4

U9 / U107 v 7

U11 / U128 v 8

U1311 v 11

Benefits of Playing Small Sided Games

Small side games offer many positive challenges that foster player development

These include;

The opportunity to repeatedly touch the ballRepeatedly experience basic tactical challengesThe ability to actively participate is fun, we know players develop when they enjoy themselvesWhen players enjoy themselves, they remain consumers of the gamePlayer retention should be the number one priority of all youth coaches

Individual participation and development is fostered due to the players receiving more playing time

Due to individual involvement the general health and fitness increases

Confidence and self-esteem is promoted

Benefits of Playing Small Sided Games

Playing small sided games players are encouraged to use freedom of expression

By playing and exploring the game, children will gravitate to positions they prefer and feel comfortable with

However - due to the limited numbers and small field a player can rotate to being a forward, midfielder and defender during the course of the game

Benefits of Playing Small Sided Games

As the players become older they will discover their best position

The focus is on the PLAYER as the number 1 priority, supported by the COACH

The so called “dominant” player is prevented from holding onto the ball due to the smaller area of play

Benefits of Playing Small Sided Games

Lines of interaction or confrontation are the possible passing connections and or 1 v 1 encounters between players

By adding additional players to the field of play the level of complexity of the game increases

Lines of Interaction or Confrontation

Complexity versus Simplicity

Lines of Interaction or ConfrontationExample

6 Lines of Interaction or Confrontation

Lines of Interaction or Confrontation

2-players 2

3-players 6

4-players 12

5-players 20

6-players 30

7-players 42

8-players 56

9-players 72

10-players 9011-players 11012-players 13213-players 15614-players 18216-players 24018-players 30620-players 38022-players 462

Players cover 4236 yards in 25 minutes, compared to a professional Bundesliga player who covers only about 1000 yards more in the same period.

Lactate Levels in mmol/l - 11v11 against 7v7

00.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

4

Mid 1st half End FirstHalf

Mid 2nd Half End 2nd Half

11v11 7v7

Physical Stress Levels

Number of Ball Touches per Player

In 10 Minutes

Touches on the Ball Per 10 Minutes

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Ball Contacts

4v4

6v6

7v7 Ideal

7v7 Half

11v11

IMPLEMENTATION OF SMALL SIDED GAMES

IMPLEMENTATION OF SMALL SIDED GAMES

• Diagram of the dual field layout:

Shape of the team

Triangles (3 players)

Soccer Shapes

Diamonds (4 Players)

The diamond provides the fundamentals of Attack and Defence - Length, Width & Depth

Playing 3 vs. 3

Attacking ShapeForwardBackLeftRight

Playing 3 vs. 3

Defending Shape

Provides:

Pressure

Cover

Balance

Playing 4 vs. 4

Ideal Attacking Shape

Provides:

Length

Depth

Width

Playing 4 vs. 4

Defending ShapePressure (1st defender on the ball)Cover (2nd defender closest to ball)Balance (3rd defender cover)

National Game Structure

British Columbia Soccer AssociationUnder 6

Game format - 3 v 3

Squad size - 6 Players (Maximum)

Duration - 4 x 8 Minutes

Ball size - 3

Field size - 28 x 18 Meters

Goal size - 2.438 x 1.219 Meters

8ft x 4ft

National Game Structure

Game format - 4 v 4

Squad size - 8 Players (Maximum)

Duration - 4 x 10 Minutes

Ball size - 3

Field size - 36 x 22 Meters

Goal size - 2.438 x 1.219 Meters

8ft x 4ft

National Game Structure

British Columbia Soccer AssociationUnder 7 and Under 8

Game format - 7 v 7

Squad size - 14 Players (Maximum)

Duration - 2 x 25 Minutes

Ball size - 3 / 4

Field size - 55 x 36 Meters

Goal size - 3.657 x 1.981 Meters

12ft x 6.5ft

National Game Structure

British Columbia Soccer AssociationUnder 9 and Under 10

Game format - 8 v 8

Squad size - 16 Players (Maximum)

Duration - 2 x 30 Minutes

Ball size - 4

Field size - 75 x 55 Meters

Goal size - 5.486 x 1.981 Meters

18ft x 6.5ft

National Game Structure

British Columbia Soccer AssociationUnder 11 and Under 12

Game format - 11 v 11

Squad size - 18 Players (Maximum)

Duration - 2 x 35 Minutes

Ball size - 5

Field size - FIFA Reg

Goal size - 7.3152 x 2.438

24ft x 8ft

National Game Structure

British Columbia Soccer AssociationUnder 13 and Under 14

Game format - 11 v 11

Squad size - 18 Players (Maximum)

Duration - 2 x 40 Minutes

Ball size - 5

Field size - FIFA Reg

Goal size - 7.3152 x 2.438

24ft x 8ft

National Game Structure

British Columbia Soccer AssociationUnder 15 and Under 16

Game format - 11 v 11

Squad size - 18 Players (Maximum)

Duration - 2 x 45 Minutes

Ball size - 5

Field size - FIFA Reg

Goal size - 7.3152 x 2.438

24ft x 8ft

National Game Structure

British Columbia Soccer AssociationUnder 17 to Adult

Thank You – Q and A