Why We Play Small Sided

What are "Small-Sided Games"?

Soccer games with fewer players competing on a smaller sized field. These are fun games that involve the players more because fewer players are sharing one ball. All ages can play "Small Sided Games," but it has a definite developmental impact on our younger soccer players.

Some reasons why it is beneficial for our young soccer players to play small-sided games:

  1. We want our young soccer players to touch the soccer ball more often and become more skillful with it! (Individual technical development) 
  2. We want our young soccer players to make more, less-complicated decisions during the game! (Tactical development) 
  3. We want our young soccer players to be more physically efficient in the field space they are playing in! (Reduced field size) 
  4. We want our young soccer players to have more individual teaching time with the coach! Less players on the field and less players on the team will guarantee this! (Need to feel worthy and need to feel important) 
  5. We want our young soccer players to have more, involved playing time in the game! (More opportunity to solve problems that only the game presents) 
  6. We want our young soccer players to have more opportunity to play on both sides of the ball! (More exposure to attacking and defending situations) 
  7. We want our young soccer players to have more opportunities to score goals! (Pure excitement)

Please understand and honor what years of wisdom and experience (ours and that of countless others from AYSO and USYSA) have taught us about how many players should be on the field for a particular age group. We marry that number with the right sized field to give all of our kids the best soccer learning experience that we can. In other words, please do not allow or support the interest of some to put more kids on the field than is prescribed here. If needed, a team can put less players on the field, but never more. We also have to comply with USSF and AYSO rules on small sided play for ages U12 and younger.

Travel Teams

U8-U10 play 7 v 7 with a keeper
U11 and U12 play 9 v 9 with a keeper
U13 and older play 11 v 11 full sided with a keeper

Core Recreational League

U6, U7 and U8 play 4 v 4 with no keeper and pop up goals
U9 and U10 play 7 v 7 with a keeper
U11 and U12 play 9 v 9 with a keeper
U13 and older play 11 v 11 full sided with a keeper