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Today I was told that the U11 girls section of the joint @OfficialBBDFL and @ELFAJfl alliance would be 7v7 next season. Although I am NOT happy with this decision, as someone who believes that games should consist of smaller formats, here's 7 reasons to support the change.
1. More touches = more development
A player will obliviously touch the ball more in a smaller sided game, if they touch the ball more, they are going to develop greater confidence and competence on the ball.
A player will obliviously touch the ball more in a smaller sided game, if they touch the ball more, they are going to develop greater confidence and competence on the ball.
2. Less competitive format
Maybe this is me but at smaller sided formats I tend to care less about the outcome of the match. I tend to allow the kids to play more, shout less and get less stressed.
Maybe this is me but at smaller sided formats I tend to care less about the outcome of the match. I tend to allow the kids to play more, shout less and get less stressed.
3. More teams = more competitive games
The best thing for a child's development is a competitive end to end game. In some areas they find it hard to find the squad numbers in order to field teams for the 9v9 and 11v11 formats, detracting the competitiveness of the game.
The best thing for a child's development is a competitive end to end game. In some areas they find it hard to find the squad numbers in order to field teams for the 9v9 and 11v11 formats, detracting the competitiveness of the game.
4. Lack of positional sense
Children between 5-9 tend to have little positional sense, so getting them in formats where it's more acceptable to chase the ball then they'll start to develop better as a team.
Children between 5-9 tend to have little positional sense, so getting them in formats where it's more acceptable to chase the ball then they'll start to develop better as a team.
5. Less about physical strengths
A 9v9 pitch is 18m longer than a 7v7 pitch, more physically developed will have a distinct advantage over late developer. A smaller pitch make the requirements less physical and more technical.
A 9v9 pitch is 18m longer than a 7v7 pitch, more physically developed will have a distinct advantage over late developer. A smaller pitch make the requirements less physical and more technical.
6. Smaller nets
As I think everyone with the BBDFL league is sick about hearing from me. I totally advocate for smaller nets till 16, as it gives keepers a chance of reaching high shots and boosts their confidence, if they are late developers.
As I think everyone with the BBDFL league is sick about hearing from me. I totally advocate for smaller nets till 16, as it gives keepers a chance of reaching high shots and boosts their confidence, if they are late developers.
7. Rush to 11aside
Belgium a few years ago produced a new format for football where they didn't start 7v7 till 12ish and 9v9 till 14ish. Football is a late developer sport and the priority for foundation phase players should be getting a ball at the players feet, not the format.
Belgium a few years ago produced a new format for football where they didn't start 7v7 till 12ish and 9v9 till 14ish. Football is a late developer sport and the priority for foundation phase players should be getting a ball at the players feet, not the format.
Overall, as I stated I am not happy with the change, my priority as a coach is to get girls playing football. I presently have a squad of 13 for 7aside, with the idea being for a 9aside progression next year. (This is how I inherited it). At the moment I am picking weekly squads
leaving 2 girls at home each week for focus on quality of game time rather than quantity. My Emeralds are due to play Kelly's CMB team on the 17th, where 1 of the things I'd like to discuss is plans for next season and potentially look at a split season.
However, hopefully in the future we can look at using small formats to better develop our players' technical ability.
