re: U.S. soccer making changes to youth set up

quote:

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The small sided games are long overdue. It made no sense to have young kids playing in giant 11 v 11 games

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Its actually the opposite of what you're saying. For example, U11 and U12 currently play 8v8 on a small-sided fields. In the new program, they will play 9v9 on a larger field (hybrid size bigger than 8v8 field but smaller than 11v11 field). Its putting them on a larger field, not a smaller field and adding a player to each side. I was expecting the change to be less players on smaller fields like the futsal concept (tight spaces technical skills development).

ps - the 4v4 is less players for the U7 and U8 ages though which is a good thing. Those are currently 5v5 and 6v6 typically.