Horst Wein, who has mentored more than 11,000 soccer coaches in 55 different countries around the world, believes that small-sided games are the most essential element in the development of young soccer players. This comes from a man who knows a thing or two about this vital subject: his book “Young Footballer Development” is the official textbook of the Spanish Football Federation, and has also been adopted by the Spanish Football Federation. Australia, having sold over 100,000 copies worldwide.
Reduced matches in Training
Coaches need to focus more on games than drills during training. Isolating particular techniques and concentrating on them using repetitive drills and drills is known as the “analytical method” and often poses difficulties when players come to apply what they have been working on to the actual game scenario. The “global method” of training involves creating more game-like scenarios in training that can be more seamlessly integrated into the actual game itself. This is done by creating stripped-down games, which are scaled-down versions of the real game, but can focus on particular themes needed in the real game.
The concept of using games instead of exercises and exercises has been studied for many years all over the world. Didactic Games for Comprehension (TGfU) have been applied to many different sports and have been shown to be very effective. In Australia, it is also known as “Sense of Play” and “Practice Play”.
There are many benefits to this game-oriented method in soccer:
1. The most important thing is that players prefer to play than to exercise (especially the younger ones).
2. Games can be modified through different variables to focus more on specific elements that need to be addressed; The size of the playing area, the number of players, the duration of the game, the technical rules, etc., mean that in the hands of a skilled coach, the games can be used to achieve all the requirements of the actual game.
3. Small-sided games require smaller fields and can accommodate any number of players.
4. Small games provide much more intense physical training than larger games.
5. Games in small spaces allow the coach to develop the game intelligence of the players, since they can focus on the true dynamics of the football game, for example, the 2v1 situation.
Small games in competition
This means that the competitions played by young people must be tailored to the specific requirements of their age group.
“The competition you play in should be like your shoes, it should fit you perfectly!”
Benefits of small games in competition (and training):
- More ball touches
- easy decisions to make
- Better game-related fitness, high-intensity short duration vs. lapse
- More time with the coach per player
- Easier to train, especially for parent coaches
- More opportunities to solve game problems.
- More attacking opportunities (dribble, shoot, pass)
- More defensive opportunities
- More shots and more goals = more fun!
- Without hiding, players are not lost in these games.
- More opportunities for the full range of abilities
- Encourage better form and awareness from teammates.
- Encourages faster play, quick transition from defense to attack
- Easier for young players to succeed which means enjoyment and retention for these players.
manchester united carried out a pilot program in 2005 that compared football 4 with football 8, the results were very revealing…
On average, 4v4 versus 8v8 had:
1. 135% more passes
2. 260% more attempts to score
3. 500% more goals scored
4. 225% more 1v1 matches
5. 280% more dribbling skills (tricks)
Small Sided Games around the world
Today the value of small-sided games is beginning to be recognized around the world and many federations have successfully introduced it into youth development programmes. The Dutch system focuses primarily on 4v4 and later 7v7 games before players are introduced to 11v11 play.
Throughout continental Europe there are variations of 4v4 or 5v5 for the first game played by young children. In the British Isles, Wales have led the way with the introduction of small-sided games in 1996. The FA in England is determined to introduce the following structures by 2013: 5v5 (7-8 years), 7v7 (9-10 years) , 9v9 (11-12 years old), 11v11 (13+ years old)
In general, USYS (United States Youth Soccer) recommends 3v3 for under 6s and a progression to 4v4 or 5v5, 6v6 or 7v7, 8v8 etc.
Sets of small sides in the Horst Wein model
In Horst Wein’s youth soccer development model, the recommended progressive playing structure for children’s competitions is:
- 3v3 for 7-9 years
- 5v5 for 10 years
- 7v7 for 11-12 years
- 8v8 for 13 years
- 11 per side for ages 14 and up
Alongside these competition games, each age group in its development model has its own full program of simplified and reduced games for training, which emphasize game intelligence and a deeper understanding of the tactical situations of the soccer game. Training games can be used to prepare players for their proper competition or as corrective measures for problems identified during play.
The emphasis is always on games to learn rather than drills and races.
the game is the master
Mini Soccer for players 7-9 years old
Many claim that the revolutionary game of Mini-Football (3v3 in four wide goals) for young players from 7 to 9 years old, is a street football renaissance.
MINI FOOTBALL VS 4V4
While many advocate the benefits of 4v4, which is certainly much more beneficial than 8v8 (or 7v7), Horst’s mini soccer game, which is 3v3 on 4 wide arcs, has many critical advantages over 4v4.
Most importantly, using 4 targets instead of 2 creates:
- Broad. There is much more play on the flanks and less swarming.
- Because there are only three players and two goals to protect, this usually results in a less defended goal, which means the options are open.
- Deflected goals make players look for the best option, improving perception.
- Young gamers learn to interpret what they see and make good decisions, improving their Game Intelligence, even at this young age.
- There is more action at the goal mouth and usually every player scores during a game.
- There is a more intense defense and attack than in other small games.
- There are no fixed positions that provide a more complete experience and more complete players.
- Teaches the use of a triangle formation, which is superior for passing and support and also for balance on defense.
- More touches of the ball.
- More time to read the game.
- Better passes and less long ball tactics.
- Greater physical involvement since all the players on the team are needed.
Horst Wein is the greatest living exponent of small matches in soccerhaving created hundreds of games for both young player development and higher performance in the full game.