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Affiliated with Buffalo &
W.N.Y. Junior Soccer League – Youth Division of
Small-Sided Format - 2006
Four years ago the Aurora Arsenal board introduced
small-sided situations to our youth soccer organization. As many of you are aware the rest of the
world has been training their soccer players with this format for many years.
We believe your child will continue to benefit from this format and are excited
to continue the 2006 season with
this proven training concept. Below is
a review of the small-sided format.
Training Sessions: The weekly training sessions
that our House League coaches conduct afford each player with many more
opportunities to “touch the ball”. The emphasis changes from
just kicking the ball (traditional setting), to controlling the ball with more
individual skill. The main
emphasis, especially with the younger players, is to have fun while they learn
and play.
Playing Sessions: All
small-sided games are played at the Park Associates location on Saturday
mornings. Matches will be 4v4 (or 3v3) depending on how many players
from each team are present. By using smaller fields and fewer players, the
emphasis has changed from watching the game (traditional format) to ‘getting
involved’. Players have no choice but to be in the play. No longer are there 2
or 3 players from each team playing while a host of on-field and off-field
player’s watch.
Match Format: The match make up is very
simple. Each match consists of four 10-minute segments. Each segment matches 3 or 4 players from a
team against another team. There are two matches for each team running
simultaneously, next to each other.
Teams “switch” fields after each 10-minute segment. This allows players
to play for a longer time each week. A
coach or parent is in charge of both of their matches. It is necessary to have
2 coaches or parents’ controlling the flow of play for each team as it is
impossible for one person to watch both ‘fields of play’ at the same time. If a
team is assigned only one coach, a parent volunteer is needed to assist during
the games. Referees are still used, but are there mainly for overall control
and training purposes.
Field Arrangement: In general,
fields for U6 players are 20 yds x 30 yds. U8 fields are slightly larger. Fields & Matches utilize
SMALL GOALS with NO goalkeepers used during the matches. Again, the emphasis is on player development
and the main objective is ball control (vs. scoring in the ‘traditional’
format). Coaches are requested to ensure players are staying in the ‘play’ of
the game, and not ‘tending the goal’.
Skill Enhancement: The ultimate goal of small-sided
structured games is to improve individual skills by multiple touches on the
ball. Studies have indicated that in
normal-sided youth games the player’s ratio of playing time and ball touches is
not nearly adequate. Small-sided games
provide each player with more opportunities to touch the ball.
Questions?
Should
you have any questions regarding small-sided training, please feel free to call
our Director of Coaching, Dave Coulter @ 652-8536.