Small-sided games are very beneficial for the participants. Studies have been conducted to show, and observations confi rm, that children get more enjoyment and learn more from playing in small-sided games with adapted rules. They get more touches of the ball, learn more quickly and have to make more decisions during the match (greater concentration is required because the ball is never far away).
The children are also much more involved in the game (more movement and practice) and enjoy it much more than playing on a large pitch. Fewer players on the pitch and smaller teams ensure that each participant gets more individual attention. There are also more goalscoring opportunities (which is what children want) and the goalkeepers are in action more often (except in 4-a-side matches which usually do not have goalkeepers).
Children are also more involved in the attacking and defensive movements, and in this way they are more often exposed to a wide range of football situations. They enjoy themselves and learn more.
The children are also much more involved in the game (more movement and practice) and enjoy it much more than playing on a large pitch. Fewer players on the pitch and smaller teams ensure that each participant gets more individual attention. There are also more goalscoring opportunities (which is what children want) and the goalkeepers are in action more often (except in 4-a-side matches which usually do not have goalkeepers).
Children are also more involved in the attacking and defensive movements, and in this way they are more often exposed to a wide range of football situations. They enjoy themselves and learn more.
Statistics back up the benefits of small-sided football compared with 11-a-side football. Some of these statistics show that:
- Players touch the ball five times more often in 4-a-side football and 50% more in 7-a-side.
- Players are three times more often in one-against-one situations in 4-a-side football and twice more often in 7-a-side.
- Goals are scored every two minutes in 4-a-side football on average and every four minutes in 7-a-side.
- Goalkeepers are involved in the action two to four times more often in 7-a-side football than in 11-a-side football.
- The ball is out of play 8% of the time in 4-a-side football, 14% in 7-a-side and 34% in 11-a-side.
Benefit of Small-Sided Games
In small-sided games, each player:
- receives the ball more often;
- is always trying to score a goal;
- has the freedom to play;
- is always encouraged by the coach-educator;
- is supported by his/her parents and coach-educators.
Playing for fun
For children, the most important thing is to play. They play for the pleasure of playing. Contesting matches is an essential part of training and children learn better by playing. It leads to improved skills and independence, facilitates initiative and decision-making (creativity) and also improves relationships with, and consideration of, others.
From a more tactical point of view, it is a matter of vision, attack and defence. However, every grassroots football session should include a free-play period. The coach-educator withdraws at this time and keeps a distance. This allows the children to play without restriction and put the skills that they have learnt into practice.
For children, the most important thing is to play. They play for the pleasure of playing. Contesting matches is an essential part of training and children learn better by playing. It leads to improved skills and independence, facilitates initiative and decision-making (creativity) and also improves relationships with, and consideration of, others.
From a more tactical point of view, it is a matter of vision, attack and defence. However, every grassroots football session should include a free-play period. The coach-educator withdraws at this time and keeps a distance. This allows the children to play without restriction and put the skills that they have learnt into practice.
The playing area
The dimensions of the pitch are an important consideration. The pitch must be suited to the age, skill and number of players.
A small pitch with a large number of players is difficult to play on and requires great technical skill and vision. In general, we cannot presume that children aged 6-12 have these skills.
Children have different characteristics depending on their physical and technical development. For these reasons, not all small-sided games are recommended for all ages. It is important to follow a logical development in which children move on from 4-a-side games (without goalkeepers) to eventually play 9-a-side football.
The dimensions of the pitch are an important consideration. The pitch must be suited to the age, skill and number of players.
A small pitch with a large number of players is difficult to play on and requires great technical skill and vision. In general, we cannot presume that children aged 6-12 have these skills.
Children have different characteristics depending on their physical and technical development. For these reasons, not all small-sided games are recommended for all ages. It is important to follow a logical development in which children move on from 4-a-side games (without goalkeepers) to eventually play 9-a-side football.
Play Area For Small Sided Games
Goals / equipment
The size of the goals should correspond to the children’s age and level. Small children = small goals; big children = bigger goals. If possible, use goals with nets. Nets make the games much more enjoyable. If only 7-a-side goals are available, these can be reduced in size by using markers. Otherwise, make goals using marker discs, cones or poles. It should also be easy to distinguish the two teams. A sufficient number of bibs in different colours should be provided.
The size of the goals should correspond to the children’s age and level. Small children = small goals; big children = bigger goals. If possible, use goals with nets. Nets make the games much more enjoyable. If only 7-a-side goals are available, these can be reduced in size by using markers. Otherwise, make goals using marker discs, cones or poles. It should also be easy to distinguish the two teams. A sufficient number of bibs in different colours should be provided.
Techniques in play
Technical skills, such as keeping possession of the ball, shooting at goal, passing, controlling, running with the ball, dribbling and heading are all used in play. Pressure from opponents helps in the teaching and improvement of these skills. It is important to ensure that all parts of play are coached. If, for example, the emphasis in a specific session is on dribbling, the format of the activities should be carefully chosen to promote dribbling.
Technical skills, such as keeping possession of the ball, shooting at goal, passing, controlling, running with the ball, dribbling and heading are all used in play. Pressure from opponents helps in the teaching and improvement of these skills. It is important to ensure that all parts of play are coached. If, for example, the emphasis in a specific session is on dribbling, the format of the activities should be carefully chosen to promote dribbling.
Small-sided game formats
Football basically consists of two ideas: score goals and prevent the opponents scoring. The best manner of emphasising these objectives is to use adapted small-sided game formats applied to different exercises.
- The smallest format of play is 1 v 1.
- In this format, the focus is on the technical aspects of dribbling and protecting the ball.
- The children must also learn to impose their presence and use their body correctly.
- It is simply “me and the ball”!
The next level, with several team-mates and opponents, necessitates improved vision, a better concept of team play and creativity. The greater the number of participants, the more complex the play becomes. For this reason, it is important to take the children’s ages into account and allow them to progress from small-sided games to matches on larger pitches.
Another key point: in small-sided games, children get many touches of the ball and cannot “hide”. On the contrary, they have to actively seek the ball.
Examples of organisation
Principles
Four to six 5-a-side pitches can be arranged on a fullsize football pitch (11-a-side). Matches can take place simultaneously on these pitches as well as relays and school games.
Two or three 5-a-side pitches can be arranged on a half-size football pitch. Matches can take place simultaneously on these pitches as well as relays and school games. It is recommended that:
- The existing lines are used: touchline, goal line and goal area of the 11-a-side pitch.
- Cones are used to finish marking out the 5-a-side areas (additional lines need not be drawn).
One player coming up against another is at the very heart of the game as the players’ individual qualities come into play. In our game philosophy, we have to take team spirit into account and we do recommend playing football as a team, but it is also necessary to adapt and discover different match situations by using certain exercises in which a duel is a specific objective.
Consequently, a 1 v 1 game gives two children the opportunity to develop their basic tactics: attacking and defending. We will talk more about advanced positioning once the players have acquired enough experience to be able to take up a position in open space. To begin organising a game on a small-sized pitch, we give general information in relation to the age of the young children and the different pitch measurements.
It must also be borne in mind that the level of understanding and ability to read the game will often determine the size of the pitch.
The suggestion regarding the number of players in relation to the pitch depends on the philosophy developed during the development plan. Depending on the objectives, one could argue that every type will help to improve the quality of the level of play.
The number of players essentially depends on the infrastructure available as well as on the objectives to be reached. Consequently, all types of organisation are seen as positive if there is a direct link between the objective and the type of game played.
A logical development of playing systems will see a 3 v 3 game eventually become 9 v 9, passing through all of the various confi gurations in between such as 4 v 4, 5 v 5, 6 v 6, 7 v 7, 8 v 8. Having a numerical advantage also requires a great deal of tactical flexibility.
Only the coach-educator is able to judge the players’ level and therefore the game formats to be used.
Dimensions of the pitch - football pitches
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