Palo Alto AYSO: Game
Format for U7/U8/U9
In the Palo Alto AYSO region,
U7/U8 team rosters have 10 players, U9 team rosters have 12 players, and
the team splits into two "mini-teams" for Saturday games with each mini-team
playing simultaneously. This small-sided game format is part of a movement
within AYSO and elsewhere to match the game to the age and development level
of the children. This document explains how the format operates and how coaches
should organize their teams.
Balanced/Streamed Teams on Odd/Even Weeks
Our goal is to provide the best possible soccer experience
for all our players. There is evidence that players, particularly those
of lower-ability, have more fun and involvement in the game if they play
with and against players of similar ability. To achieve this without completely
separating the players into different leagues, coaches form the mini-teams
in different ways on alternate weeks as follows:
- Odd weeks: Balanced: the two mini-teams
are formed to be of approximately equal ability.
- Even weeks: Streamed: one mini-team is formed
from the higher-ability players and one from the lower-ability players.
The first week of the season is week 1 and so we start
in the Balanced format. Weeks 1,3,5,7,9,11 will operate the balanced format.
Weeks 2,4,6,8,10 will operate the streamed format. It is important to adhere
to the balanced-streamed schedule, even if both teams might prefer to operate
one format on a given day.
Team Organization
In U7/U8 each mini-team will
have at most 5 players; in U9 each mini-team will have at most 6. In U7/U8,
four players are on the field at any time and one substitute. In U9 five
players are one the field at one time, again with one substitute. One field
player will play goalkeeper. Important points to note:
- The mini-teams play
simultaneously on adjacent (along touch line) small-sized fields.
- Players cannot switch
between mini-teams on any given game day.
- Each team should
have a coach/co-coach/assistant-coach/parent supervising each of their mini-games.
The team's head coach should not try to manage both mini-games.
- As far as possible
within the balanced/streamed constraints, coaches should alter the mix of
the mini-teams each week..
Game Organization
- Each team must provide
one referee, who will referee one of the two mini-team games.
- Prior to the start
of the games, the entire team should check in with the referee from the
opposing team.
- A single game card
may be used, cut in half for each mini-team.
- The team listed
first on the schedule (home team) should have its mini-teams stay on the
same field for both games. (If coaches don't have a schedule, the referee
may flip a coin to decide who is the home team.)
On odd (Balanced) weeks:
- Each mini-team plays
both of the opposing mini-teams, that is, in two separate 20
minute games.
- Each mini-game is
20 minutes long, with a 2 minute break at the half.
- There is a 5 minute
interval between mini-games.
On even (Streamed) weeks:
- Each mini-team plays a single 40 minute game against
the opposing mini-team of similar ability.
- There is a 5 minute
half-time interval.
- The referee will
indicate a substitution break approximately 10 minutes into the half.
Substitutions
Teams should follow a standard
substitution and rotation plan so that each player plays an approximately
equal amount and also plays in goal regularly.
4v4 (U7/U8
5v5 (U9)
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Player 6
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Substitute
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Field
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Field
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Field
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The headings correspond to
the balanced format. For streamed format (single game) replace with Q1,
Q2, Q3, Q4. Since this scheme does not provide exactly equal shares, players
can be assigned different player numbers each week to even things out. It
is important to share out the goalkeeping task to overcome the reluctance
that some kids have with playing in goal. However, the Player 5 slot (and
6 in 5v5) can be used to deal with the occasional special case. Please resist
the temptation to routinely play your strongest field players in slot 5 or
6 (5v5).
Note that players go from field to goalie (or vice versa)
and not substitite to goalie. Why? Because the goalie role can often
seem just like substitute if there isn't much action on goal.
If a mini-team has four players
there is no substitute the player 5 slot (or 6 in 5v5) is not used. If a
team has insufficient players to form two mini-teams, that is, less than
8 players (10 in 5v5), then the opposing team should offer loan a player
to make up the numbers. If there are insufficient players to make up two
full-strength teams, then teams will play with either 4, 3 or 2 players,
depending on numbers. N.B. In normal circumstances a game with uneven numbers
should never take place, e.g. 4v3 is not allowed (unless the coach
of the team with less players feels the team can still match up). For example,
if one mini-team has 5 players and the other 3, their either a team loans
a player to make 4v4 or the game is played 3v3 and the 5 player team must
use two substitutes.
Field Arrangement
Field dimensions are as follows:
- U7: 30 yards long, 20 yards wide, 6 yard goalkeeper area
- U8: 35 yards long, 25 yards wide, 7 yard goalkeeper area
- U9: 45 yards long, 30 yards wide, 8 yard goalkeeper area
The goalkeper area extends out from the goal line and goes across the full
width of the field. The goalkeeper can handle the ball only in this
area and goal kicks can be taken from anywhere inside this area. There is
a half-way line for kickoffs with a 6/7/8 yard, U7/U8/U9 respectively, diameter
center circle. The fields are arranged in pairs with at 3-5 yard separation
between them. Coaches and spectators may stand near either touch line, including
in between the two fields, but must stand back 1 yard from the touch line.
If the between-field separation is too narrow to permit this, spectators
should stand on the outer touch lines. Coaches should remain in "technical
area", which is in between the two goalkeeper areas. Spectators also may
only occupy the area between the two goalkeeper areas. Neither coaches nor
spectators are permitted behind the goal lines. Mingling of the coaches and
spectators from the two full teams is encouraged as this helps to avoid a
confrontational atmosphere, and encourages good sportsmanship. If the teams
have banners they should be placed 3 yards back from one touchline.
Coaching at the Game
Coaching at the game should
be restricted to players without the ball or substitutes. We strongly discourage
the shouting of instructions to players with the ball - it's their game
and their decision. This applies equally to spectators. Frantic cries of
"Kick it out!" or "Get it out of there!", while well-meaning, create an atmosphere
of tension and put unreasonable pressure on young players. They are going
to make lots of mistakes and there is essentially nothing that you can do
at the game to change that.
4v4 Basic Player
Roles and System of Play
The beauty of 4v4 is that at any given time each
player has a simple and understandable role to play, and players should
generally be in a triangular arrangement on the field,
- Goalkeeper: redistribute
the ball to outfield players.
- Outfield player
with ball: attack defender with dribble, shoot at goal or pass to teammate.
- Defensive cover:
provide cover for the player with the ball in case an opponent steals it.
and provide a backward passing option.
- Attacking support:
provide a (forward) passing option to the player with the ball .
We recommend that you do
not assign players fixed roles or positions, with the exception of the goalkeeper.
The field is small enough that the roles can change dynamically as the play
develops. It is much more important at this age to encourage mobility and
participation than it is to focus on positional play. Please do not assign
a "goalie-helper" to stand near the goal area.
All players should
should play offsense and defense.
5v5 Modifications
Adding an extra player adds a lot more options and in fact there is no
simple role or position relative to the other players for the extra field
player to adopt. A diamond arrangement is a common and effective formation.
There is more opportunity assign "mostly defensive" and "mostly attacking"
roles. But player mobility should not be sacrified for positional play.
If 3 players are in a triangle arrangement, as they usually should be, one
role for the fourth player is to makes runs to disrupt the opponents defensive
organization.
Practice Considerations
In your regular practices,
we encourage you play 4v4 (with goalies) or 3v3 (without goalies) for 30
minutes of your normal practice hour. You will find it much easier to teach
skills to the 2, 3 or 4 kids who are not playing than to the whole group.
You will need either an assistant coach or a parent to monitor the game,
as 6-9 year-olds are not self-organizing.