"At this age, player development is directly related to how much fun and enjoyment each player experiences," explains AYSA DOC Tony Colavecchia. From there it's simple; small sided games on a smaller field give each player more touches, more involvement and more fun!

"Eleven-a-side soccer is an adult game, devised by and for adults. The objective of small-sided games is a stair step approach for young players to grow into the adult game", Tony stated.

In 8 vs 8, players get more playing time which encourages maximum individual participation, more individual involvement which improves fitness and more opportunities to score; or stop a score.

The move which is strongly supported by US Youth Soccer is based on educational research on the way children learn -- just as with their academic learning. "It is difficult to teach tactical concepts on a huge field. In a U11 game I recently watched (playing 11 v 11), some players barely touched the ball. The game was decided by a goal that went sailing over the goalkeepers head. He had no chance; he was simply not tall enough to make the save. The goal was too big".

"We want to develop creative, confident players who can truly develop soccer skills on the appropriate sized fields. When I see U-11s play on a full field, I see lots of big spaces and too many players simply not involved in the game"

"My only hope is that this is truly supported by the coaches and especially the parents. Some coaches and parents see this as not the real game because it is not 11 v 11. It is in fact, the total opposite".

"The majority of other states have been playing 8 vs 8 at U-11 & U-12 for the past 7 or 8 years so we have some catching up to do", Tony concluded.

Article reprinted from AZ Youth Soccer Association