Small Sides Football (SSF)
SMALL SIDES GAMES (U6-U11):
The Football Federation Australia (FFA) has announced a national progressive introduction of SSF which commenced nationally in 2008.
Loganholme will continue to conduct an in-house competition for the U6-U8 SSF. The SSF concept will be similar in many ways to the previously used rooball format with the main difference being the 'no goalkepper' policy for the U6/7 age-group. The SSF concept is the foundation for football development in many of the major footballing nations around the world; including the Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, The Netherlands and England.
Officials at the national level have recognised the need to introduce SSF as the standard playing format for children under the age of 12 in Australia. The justification for taking such an approach is based on the following criteria:
- more fun and individual enjoyment due to smaller fields and simplified rules
- more playing time, which maximises individual participation and involvement
- far more repeated touches of the ball by all players on the field
- more shots on goals
- more involvement leads to greater improvement in fitness
Importantly, a significant amount of research has been conducted in countries where SSF are prevalent, which overwhelmingly highlights benefits such as more touches, greater participation as well as more enjoyment for the children.
Members can contact one of our club SSF coordinators John Holman (U6/7/8) or Ian McBratney (U9/10) with any questions or alternatively you can download the following information documents. Click here for our club contact information.
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Small Sided Games Format for 2010
Please note there have been some subtle changes (see below).
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Format 2010
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Under 6 & 7
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Under 8 & 9
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Under 10
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Number of players*
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4-v-4
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7-v-7
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9-v-9
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Goalkeeper*
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No
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No
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Yes
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Field size*
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20m x 30m
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30m x 40m
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60m x 40m
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Ball size*
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size 3
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size 3
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size 3
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Penalty area*
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Nil
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Yes
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Yes
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Goal size*
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2m x 1m
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3m x 2m
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5m x 2m
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Referee*
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No - a 'game leader' instead
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No - a 'game leader' instead
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Yes
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Competition*
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No
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No
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No
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Field markings
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Markers or lines
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Markers or lines
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Markers or lines
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Goal type
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Markers, poles or goals
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Markers, poles or goals
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Markers, poles or goals
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Playing time
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2 x 20 minutes
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2 x 20 minutes
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2 x 25 minutes
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Half time
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5 minutes
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5 minutes
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5 minutes
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* Denotes compulsory national standard. All other areas are optional and adjustable, eg play quarters or shorter halves depending on weather conditions.
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Key SSF rule changes for 2010
- U6-7: Half-way (rather than goal line) restart after a goal is scored.
- U6-7: No corners – goal line restart regardless of which team touched the ball last. Opposing team back to half-way line.
- U8 is now the same format as U9 with fixed goal posts (in 2009 U8 had small portable goals with no goalies).
- U10: No offside, but the referee can move players blatantly put in offside positions. Compared with 2009, this explicitly gives the referee the authority to move players out of offside positions. Coaches are encouraged to make their players aware of offside at training and to play this way in game situations.
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