I thought we were talking about your 9 year old (U10) here? Well my
advocation would be to have 4v4 for U-6 through U-8. I agree that a
goalkeeper needs to be introduced at some stage and I am happy for
this to take place at U-9. However, I would suggest playing 5v5 or
6v6 including the GK at U-9 and U-10. U-11 is where I would begin
8v8 with 11v11 beginning at U-12. These SSGs are ideal for the kids
for to learn each progression unit group stage of the 11 v 11 game
on the right sized pitch. So when they would be appreciate of some
of the specialist positions being introduced while retaining the
basic essential positions of the team when changing from the 6 v 6
into 8 v 8 and then 8 v 8 into the 11 v 11.
�
I dont have a 9 yr old, read the post again.
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What size teams do you think the kids have
now?�
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You need a GK from 6th grade upwards or you will be having
kids scoring from half way. Each kid usually takes a turn at that
age unless there is one that really wants the position.
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Oh you were talking about your kid when he was 9.
I'm not from the CF region and have been coaching with senior
players for over 6 years. But I am aware of the latest
children/youth development research tho. Accordingly to the other
post, the changes are fairly close in line of what I advocate.
As for the GK speciality, you don't need to work on that until U9.
To have a kid shooting from half-way is what is needed. We need to
develop creativity and develop risk taking as well. Also the same
things can occur from the kids on the other side. The kids with
very little guidance from coach can learn the benefits of using
width and depth of the small sized pitch. We would then develop
young players who are able to backtrack and defend an open goal
after being on an attack. Therefore developing future defenders and
stronger attackers with more creativity and accurate shooting from
long distance. All of which we need to develop early.
Let explain how it really pans out . . .
With the 4 v 4 kids are taught to spread and position themselves to
make full use of the small pitch area as well getting into position
to receive the ball from a fellow teammate. Good unit coordination
and learning basic tactics and learn from simple mistakes that we
still see often from senior/elite level in NZ.
5 v 5 would still be without a GK. At this stage you are developing
away from the basic diamond shape in a 4 v 4 game. This means that
instead of the 1-2-1 formation of the 4 man team you had for the
last couple of years, with an extra player, you have two different
formation to explore. These two formation are 3-2 or the 2-3. With
the knowledge of the basic diamond of the 4 man team, the young
players here will start to learn these two formation which are the
basic strategy formation of 3-2 counterattack formation and the 2-3
playmaking strategy. The goal are still without GK because we are
developing personal tactical awareness with these players in these
strategies.
6 v 6 we are now developing GKs and therefore players learn to cope
with accurate shooting as well as sticking with either 2-3 or 3-2
depending on the game situation however it means that more ball
turnover and learning build-up starts from the GK.
7 v 7 we are now developing two player types; a central defensive
midfielder and a central attacking midfielder. The two formation
are 1-2-1-2 on defensive and 2-1-2-1 on attack. With basic
counterattack and playmaking strategies from the season before, the
flow from 1-2-1-2 to a 2-1-2-1 is learnt with the central defender
changes to the central midfield on attack but is back to the
central defence when the other team has secure firmly the ball
possession. Also the central midfielder is central midfield on
defence in a 1-2-1-2 but then becomes the central attacker when
going on attack and of course the central defender takes his
position in the central midfield. this also means that the GK
learns central sweeper position when on attack since the central
defender takes the central midfield position. So essentially you
have a single (4 man) diamond shape on the defence and then two (4
man) diamond shape on attack thus retaining the basic unit
structure of the 4 v 4 SSG but now developing counterattacking in a
4-2 and introduce wing play as well in a 3-3. The change of pace
and space relies more on individual moments and player talents. The
size of the pitch is important, field must be small enough to allow
allot of attacking opportunities but large enough for building up
play or the ball will sail over the heads achieving little but a
fast paced hustle game.
If you introduce 1-3-3, 1-4-1, 2-3-1 or 1-3-2 formations you are
introducing specialization too early and only for one season and so
creating long term disadvantage for the players for results. Those
formations are for senior tactics and not for young players
development. So you should avoid using them.
8 v 8 The introduction of the central midfielder allows a central
striker and central defender to develop their most basic task but
also develops a key player to the team who learns to develop his
attacking/defensive responsibility within the game. It allows the
outside backs to press forward. Also introduction of a real/actual
midfielder is a development curve to balance opportunities and
responsibilities. He/She has to master turning and receiving in
order to pass forward, learn how to hold behind the top players as
support and go past them when needed. 8 v 8 retain the 4 v 4
structure still with two (4 man) diamond on both defence and
attack.
All these SSG are developmental benefit to the young players up to
the age of 11.
Now you introduce 11 v 11 at the age of 11 as well as the full
sized pitch. With 9 v 9 and 10 v 10 variations to understand for
coverage for red cards incidents.AllWhitebelievr2008-01-24 17:55:55
