Small Sided Games Flyer

Small-Sided Games Parent Flyer

Commencing in 2008 the Eastern Suburbs Football and member clubs will introduce a nationally consistent format of Small Sided Games [SSG] for boys and girls in the 6’s and 7’s and Girls 8’s.

It is important to emphasis that the purpose of SSG’s is skill development through fun. They benefit kids by making their early contact with the game more enjoyable while simultaneously providing an environment that will facilitate greater skill development.

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 and will become all-rounded and understand the importance of team-mates and playing and working together.

Do other countries play small-sided games?

Small Sided Games are played and endorsed throughout England, Ireland, The Netherlands, Scotland, Germany, France, Korea and USA, to name a few. The idea of Small Sided Games is not new.

Benefits of Small Sided Games

A significant amount of research has been conducted in countries where Small Sided Games are prevalent, which overwhelmingly highlights 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 enjoyed the progressive and sequential game formats.

What’s changing?

From 2008, FFA and Member Federations, in conjunction with zones, associations and clubs will lead a staged implementation of Small Sided Games 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.

Small Sided Games will be implemented in the Eastern Suburbs in 2008 for the 6’s, 7’s and Girls 8’s. These will range from intra club, and community hubs.


Playing Format	Under 6	Under 7	Girls Under 8
Numbers	4 v 4	5 v 5	5 v 5
Field Size	30m x 20m	30m x 20m	30m x 20m
Field Markings	Markers or painted line markings	Markers or painted line markings	Markers or painted line markings
Penalty Area	Nil	Nil	Nil
Goal Size	1.80m x 0.90m	1.80m x 0.90m	1.80m x 0.90m
Goal Type	Goals	Goals	Goals
Ball Size	Size 3	Size 3	Size 3
Goalkeeper	No	No	No
Recommended Playing Time	2 x 15 minutes	2 x 20 minutes	2 x 20 minutes
Half Time Break	5 minutes	5 minutes	5 minutes
Referee	Game Leader	Game Leader	Game Leader
Competition	No – No results are recorded	No – No results are recorded	No – No results are recorded
Days Played	Saturday Maccabi – Sunday	Saturday Maccabi – Sunday	Sunday

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?

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.

For more information on the benefits and philosophy of SSG go the community section of; www.footballaustralia.com.au or visit www.esfa.com.au



	Small-Sided Games Parent Flyer Commencing in 2008 the Eastern Suburbs Football and member clubs will introduce a nationally consistent format of Small Sided Games [SSG] for boys and girls in the 6’s and 7’s and Girls 8’s. It is important to emphasis that the purpose of SSG’s is skill development through fun. They benefit kids by making their early contact with the game more enjoyable while simultaneously providing an environment that will facilitate greater skill development.

	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 and will become all-rounded and understand the importance of team-mates and playing and working together.

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

	Benefits of Small Sided Games

	A significant amount of research has been conducted in countries where Small Sided Games are prevalent, which overwhelmingly highlights 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 enjoyed the progressive and sequential game formats.