Happy New Year - Some Quick Reminders

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that Soccer Registration has been on last Saturday and is on again this Saturday from 10am till 2pm up at the Montview clubhouse. Michelle my wife has volunteered to be the HHSC Soccer Secretary this year, and she spent 4 hours last Saturday taking registrations.

I'm signing up for coach again this year (with Luke) - so hopefully I might be coaching your child this year again.

There are some big changes this year to the way soccer is run. The KDSA is taking Small Sided games - the same standards as Brazil, Argentina, Japan, England,
Ireland, The Netherlands, Scotland, Germany, France, Korea and USA, to
name a few. The idea of SSG is not new.

What this means for our Under 9's is this :

Only 7 players a side
Goalies (only starts from age 9 now)
25 minute halves
40m x 30m fields - which is the same size as last year.
No official recording of tables, results, finals and statistics.

You'll probably get lots of information about all of this soon - but just wanted to let you know - as I personally think it's a much better way for the kids.

What are small-sided games?
They are football games with fewer players competing on a smaller-sized
field. They are fun games that encourage players to have more contact with
the ball because fewer players are playing in a smaller playing area. SSG
have a definite developmental impact on younger football players.

Why change to small-sided games?

It makes the game of football a better experience for children. More touches
on the ball, more opportunities to make decisions, more actual play. Players
will be more active due to playing both attacking and defensive roles within
a match and will understand the importance of team-mates and playing and
working together.

Do other countries play small-sided games?
SSG are played and endorsed throughout Brazil, Argentina, Japan, England,
Ireland, The Netherlands, Scotland, Germany, France, Korea and USA, to
name a few. The idea of SSG is not new.

Benefits of small-sided games for your child
A significant amount of research has been conducted in countries where
SSG are prevalent, which overwhelmingly highlight the following benefits:
• more touches of the ball by all players throughout all areas of the pitch
• more shots on goal
• more efficient use of facilities, given there can be multiple games on one
standard-size field
• repeated decision-making experience
• the ball is in play far more often
• the emphasis is on player development rather than winning or losing
• better success rate leads to improved quality of play, self-esteem and player
retention
• the game is easier to understand
• freedom of expression – no positions in early stages
• less perceived stress on the players
• less perceived pressure from coaches and parents
• parents more likely to volunteer for SSG game leader roles
• children enjoy the progressive and sequential game formats

What’s changing?
A summary of the SSG formats to be implemented under the direction of Member Federation, zones and associations at your club can be seen below;
How will children learn to play 11 v 11?
Progressing from 4 v 4, 5 v 5, 7 v 7 and 9 v 9 BEFORE 11 v 11 is a
sound educational method and process. The progression helps players
discover the differences in the size of the field and size of the goal, and the
benefits of having more space, learn to use different and better developed
techniques to play a more tactical game, and learn the role of different
positions and determine what best suits them.

Why no goalkeepers until under 9s?
The role of the goalkeeper in football is uniquely specialised and typically
players develop as keepers at a later age. In the youngest age groups,
keepers can be uninvolved in the game for long periods, which can be
uninteresting and means they are not part of the team for long periods of
the game. Most goalkeepers have played for many years as field players
before deciding to become goalkeepers.
Moving the focus away from winning or losing
The emphasis of SSG is on participation and enjoyment, and an associated
removal of the current emphasis on the importance of winning. Children
are much more likely to enjoy their football playing experience, will be keen
to play more often and are less likely to drop out of the game.
Clubs, coaches, team supervisors and parents play the most important
role in creating the right environment for SSG and need to stress and
adhere to the following SSG playing conditions;

Under 6 - 10
No official recording of tables, results, finals
and statistics. Games focus on participation,
enjoyment and skill development.

Under 11 and 12
Recording of tables, results, finals and statistics
is optional. Games focus on participation,
enjoyment and skill development.
Role of game leader and instructing referee
The game leader is encouraged to be a junior player or parent. The role
of the game leader is to keep the game moving fluently with little to no
stoppages to play.
The instructing referee can be a junior player, parent, beginning or
official referee. The role of the instructing referee is to keep the game
moving fluently and instruct the players during the game on rules and
how to behave, at the same time minimising stoppages to play.
Role of coach / parent helper
The major role of the coach / parent helper is to make the football
experience of every player and their families as enjoyable as
possible. This person will provide the best environment for
children to learn and enjoy the game through organising fun
game-based practices. Having good personal and organisational
skills are most important for coaches and parent helpers working
with children in this age group, to allow them to learn through
playing the game with minimal instruction and a focus on player
development.
From 2008, FFA and Member Federations, in conjunction with zones, associations
and clubs will lead a staged implementation of SSG throughout Australia.
The implementation will start with some or all age groups, associations and
clubs in each Member Federation in 2008 and will continue over several years
to progress throughout all age groups, associations and clubs in each Member
Federation in a staged approach.


regards,
Mark