Soccer Game Types
3V3 and 4v4 Soccer Games
The greatest thing since sliced bread! When I started playing youth soccer, there were 22 six year olds on a giant field with one ball. Today more clubs are using small sided games with 3 or 4 players a side.
The idea is that young kids need a small field and simple instructions. Some clubs play with goalies, some play without. Some clubs play 3 a side while others play 4. The field size can vary depending on the age of the players and the rules of the game. Typically they are about 20yards by 30 yards.
In every version players touch the ball a lot and are constantly involved in the game. Which one is ‘best’? Well the experts will argue over this for the next 100 years. However, if your club is playing any small sided game like this for young players, you have a good soccer club.
Mini Soccer and Transition Games
Mini soccer and transition games are usually for kids under the age of 11. These games offer a stepping stone for graduation into full field soccer. Variations of these games offer players an introduction to the concepts of positions, offside and team play.
Rules depend on the age of the players and level of play. The most common two versions of these games are played with or without offsides, and played with or without goalies. Transition games vary the number of players on the field by age (and in some cases available space). Common games are 6v6, 7v7 and 8v8. Field sizes range from 1/3 to 1/2 the size of a full soccer field.
The length of the game varies depending on age and where you play. U9 and U10 soccer typically play two 25-minute halves. U8, U7 and U6 typically play two 20 minute halves or four 10 minute quarters. Substitutions are almost always unlimited and playing time equal, although some strange variations only allow substitutions at 5 or 10-minute intervals.
Mini Soccer focuses on development, learning and participation. It is common that there are no direct free kicks (see Fouls) and foul throws (see Out of Bounds) are to be retaken so players can learn. Coaches are usually allowed to enter the field to talk to the kids and the referee should be helping the players with advice on how to play.
