| | | | | in the small sided game at all times. Moving into space |
| What are small sided games and why use them in | | | | after passing the ball, switching to a defending role |
| training? I have used small sided games in training | | | | after the ball is lost, talking to their teammates, and |
| sessions with kids to reinforce the skills that they | | | | effective passing and dribbling skills all should be |
| have been practising during the training session. A | | | | emphasised. |
| small sided game might by 3 vs. 3 or 4 vs. 4 in a | | | | Encourage your players to make better decisions on |
| small area field. You can modify the number of | | | | the field. Small sided games at training help players |
| players on each team and the area of the field to | | | | make better decisions on the field by making the |
| change the intensity of the game. These games allow | | | | decisions easier and less complicated. On a big field |
| the players more touches on the ball, help with player | | | | with 22 players, players have a huge number of |
| development of both attacking and defending roles, | | | | options from which to choose when making a |
| and as a coach I find it easier to observe the | | | | decision. This can make the process overwhelming |
| respective skills of each individual player. The role of | | | | and will lead to a loss of confidence. Reducing the |
| the coach during these games is to ensure that the | | | | field size and number of players helps players to |
| players are putting the skills into practice from the | | | | make better decisions by giving them fewer options |
| soccer drills that you have been using at training. | | | | to choose from. Applaud them when they make the |
| Depending on the number of players at training you | | | | right decisions and correct them when they make |
| may have 2 games going at once, or you may rotate | | | | the wrong decisions. |
| teams in and out at a set time limit. | | | | Small sided games also give the coach a better |
| The key to improving young soccer players is to get | | | | opportunity to observe each individual player. |
| them touching the ball more often. Playing 11 vs. 11 at | | | | Observing the respective skills of 6 players in a small |
| training is going to limit the number of touches for | | | | environment is a much easier task than 11 players on |
| each player. And the better players will naturally get | | | | a big field. What are players doing off the ball? Do |
| more touches. So the players who need the help | | | | they run into space? Are they standing around |
| most will touch the ball less, and will get bored and | | | | waiting for the ball to come back? With 11 players on |
| feel like they do not belong. This will be particularly | | | | the field most observation takes place where the ball |
| evident if you have a team with widely differing | | | | is. So it is hard to observe what the other players |
| abilities. Your goal during training as a coach with your | | | | are doing. Fewer players in a smaller area make it |
| soccer drills should be to maximise the number of | | | | easier to observe everything that is going on. If you |
| quality ball touches for each member of your team. | | | | have 2 games going at once with your manager or |
| Small sided games will help you to do that. If you still | | | | parent running the other game, you as the coach |
| have one or two players taking over these games, | | | | should periodically swap so you can observe all |
| limit the number of touches before they have to | | | | players. |
| pass or reorganise the teams. | | | | Small sided games at training are a great way to |
| Small sided games help with player development as | | | | reinforce the skills practised during the soccer drills |
| players get to spend more time in both an attacking | | | | you perform at training. They are also physically |
| and defending role. In an 11 vs. 11 game how much | | | | demanding so can be a great way to conduct fun |
| time does each player actually spend involved in the | | | | fitness sessions. More ball touches for each player, |
| game. In reducing the field size and the number of | | | | better decision making, more involvement in all |
| players, players will spend more time involved in the | | | | aspects of the game will help all your players improve |
| game, and they will have to transition more often | | | | at a more rapid rate. Small sided games are a great |
| from an attacking role to a defending role. As a | | | | training drill. |
| coach you should encourage them to remain involved | | | | |