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4 v 4 Games in Under-7 and Under-8 Divisions
Boys and Girls Under-7 and Under-8 (6 and 7 year olds)
play their games 4 to a side. Teams 10 players on the roster.
For the Saturday games, each team will divide into two
"mini-teams" and play the other team's
"mini-teams".
This format was piloted in 1998 and 1999 and
has been a regular part of the program since 2000.
Why?
This is part of a trend within AYSO and elsewhere to match
the game format to the age and development level of the children.
Our region has emphasized the small-sided game as a teaching
system in the youth coaching clinics in recent years. Coaches
who have used the system at practices have reported great success and
an enthusiastic response from the kids.
The following observations motivate this format.
- Young children learn the essentials of the game better in
small-sided games.
- With small-sided games children have more opportunity to
participate.
- With smaller numbers there is more time and space for players to
practice basic skills.
- 4-a-side provides the basic elements of soccer without the
complications of positional play that is required in larger-sided
games.
- 4-a-side provides more playing time than former larger teams and
a simpler substitution pattern.
How Does It Work?
- Each team divides into two mini-teams of 5. There are 4
players on the field at a time and one substitute.
Games are played without a designated goalkeeper, which tends to
make for a high scoring game with lots of exciting shots on goal.
- On odd numbered weeks the the teams are evenly balanced.
Each mini-team plays both of the opposing team's mini-teams
Each game is 20 minutes, with a 2 minute substitution
break at the half. There is a 5 minute interval between the
two games.
- On even numbered weeks, coaches divide the roster into
one mini-team of the stronger players and one mini-team of the
weaker players, called "World Cup" and "Olympic", respectively.
Each mini-team then plays a single full-length game against their
opponents, that is World Cup versus World Cup and Olympic versus
Olympic.
The aim is provide more balanced competition, especially
for the weaker players on the roster, who often struggle to get
involved in a game when strong players are in the same game.
- Everybody rotates and takes a turn at goal each week.
On any given game day the players do not switch between mini-teams,
but the makeup of the two mini-teams will likely vary from
week to week.
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