Midlothian Soccer Association
Midlothian Soccer Association
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  • More
    • Home
    • Recreational Play
    • Coaches
    • Schedule and Standings
    • 2025 Scholarship Program
    • Referees
    • Sponsorship
    • Small Sided Game Rules
    • Volunteer
    • Academy
    • CONTACT US
    • Additional Information
      • Field Maps
      • Forms
      • Spectator Code of Conduct
      • NTX Player Safety Policy
      • Quick Game Summary

  • Home
  • Recreational Play
  • Coaches
  • Schedule and Standings
  • 2025 Scholarship Program
  • Referees
  • Sponsorship
  • Small Sided Game Rules
  • Volunteer
  • Academy
  • CONTACT US
  • Additional Information
    • Field Maps
    • Forms
    • Spectator Code of Conduct
    • NTX Player Safety Policy
    • Quick Game Summary

Small Sided Game Information

Why Small-Sided Games?

 

The below explanation comes straight from US Youth Soccer:

1. Because we want our young soccer players to touch the soccer ball more often and become more skillful with it! (Individual technical development)

2. Because we want our young soccer players to make more, less-complicated decisions during the game! (Tactical development)

3. Because we want our young soccer players to be more physically efficient in the field space they are playing in! (Reduced field size)

4. Because we want our young soccer players to have more individual teaching time with the coach! Less players on the field and less players on the team will guarantee this! (Need to feel worthy and need to feel important)

5. Because we want our young soccer players to have more, involved playing time in the game! (More opportunity to solve problems that only the game presents)

6. Because we want our young soccer players to have more opportunity to play on both sides of the ball! (More exposure to attacking and defending situations)

7. Because we want our young soccer players to have more opportunities to score goals! (Pure excitement)

These are the reasons why we adults must foster "Small-Sided Games" in our youth soccer programs. The "Small-Sided" environment is a developmentally appropriate environment for our young soccer players. It's a FUN environment that focuses on the young soccer player.

4v4 Standards of Play

GAMES

 •Kick offs, free kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are used to start or restart play

• All free kicks are indirect  

• Kick-ins are utilized for U4-U6 play. Throw-ins for U7 and U8.

 • Goal kicks should be taken anywhere within or on the goal box area.

• Opponents should be 10 feet away from the ball on all restarts 

• No penalty kicks 

• No offside 

• Certified referees are not needed at this level

• Since there is no referee, coaches are expected to manage the game environment from the touchline using these standards of play and their best judgement. (MSA Coaches manage games at the U4 and U5 Level; Certified Referee's manage games at U6-U8) 

• Together, coaches and parents are expected to create and promote a fun and safe environment for the players 

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