Coaches Corner

May 04

FYSA Small sided games and playing numbers for 2004-2005 and beyond.

 

For the 2004-2005 season for all sanctioned play (league, tournament, and cup play) the following are the number of players permitted on the field.

U8 4v4  no goalkeepers
U9 6v6 goalkeeper
U10 6v6 goalkeeper
U11 8v8 goalkeeper

 

Changes in the U12 age group are not mandated until the 2005-2006 season when the U12 would be playing 8v8.  For next season the decision on the playing numbers are up to the clubs, leagues, and regions.

 

For more information on the rules and the rationale you can go to the USYS website usyouthsoccer.org  or FYSA website Florida Youth Soccer Association Coaches Corner or www.fysa.com .

 

The FYSA Coaching Staff has endorsed these changes for the coming year.  In a document put out by our boy’s National Team coaches including John Ellinger, the U17 National Team Coach and Bruce Arena, the US National Team Coach the following statements were included:

 

A player’s success at the senior level is greatly enhanced by mastering the building blocks of soccer that are best addressed at the Youth and Junior levels.

 

At a youth level, ball skills, enjoyment of and experimentation within the game are key for a player’s development.

 

Any success in winning matches should begin to be the product of a consistent and systematic approach to the game that focuses on more on player development than on team building.

The reasoning behind the smaller numbers on the field is to increase the number of touches and the decisions.  In an independent study done in Southern California indicates a player touches the ball 3 to 4 more times in a game when playing with smaller numbers.  The smaller numbers not only increases the number of touches but the decisions a player has to make in an easier format.  Tim Schultz, Colorado Rush Director of Coaching and US Soccer National Staff, believes there move to small sided games ten years ago has been instrumental in their club’s growth (1800 to 5800) and the development of players that are now in the Regional, National, and Professional ranks.

 

Directors of Coaching nationwide have been observing, researching, and modifying these ideas over the past five years.  From our National staff down we feel this is the appropriate way to go. We feel it is in the best interest of the players to let them develop in an appropriate manner.  We have to realize the game our younger age players play is not the adult game.  There are clubs in our state that are already following this program.  They have found success and their players are progressing in this system at a faster rate.  There are logistical concerns for sure but once you can get past them we will all be better for it.  These ideas are taught in our coaching courses and we would be glad to make presentations to any club who wishes to implement this with in their club.