In soccer, playing the game is the best way to learn and there is no replacement for "game fitness". Game situations involve many skills and challenges players by the problems it presents. Decision making is a big part of success as is 1v1 situations trapping under pressure, leading a player in to space with just the right pace on the ball etc.
Small games create realistic situations with many more opportunities to solve them and allows players more room for creativity which can then be taken into the real game. Small games offer many more touches on the ball which is key to developing skill on the ball. Through friendly competition, players will be motivated and challenged to learn the game.
We all run into problems with numbers - not enough for a full sided game- and field space - limited spaced to tuck you team into, so it is not always possible to play a full sided game every practice and maybe not ideal; therefore, the use of small sided games becomes an important development tool. Through small sided games, players are forced to respond to game like situations and are forced to learn to problem solve. Small sided games incorporate all of the major elements of the game.
Small sided games are great learning tools to focus on areas such as transitional play, quality of touches, quality and speed of decision making, and positional. Not to mention the fact that small sided games are fun and players enjoy the competition.
We like to mix it up a little in the small games. Example, on a half field place two goals at either end of the field so players have the option of switching play to attack another goal that is less crowded. Great for learning how to swing a ball and/or how to switch the point of attack

This entry was posted by BrasilianFutebol, on Thursday, May 21, 2009. You can leave your response.