{"id":47731,"title":"Football DNA: Learning Through Small Sided Games","description":"Small sided games are ideal for developing skills of young footballers. Football DNA tell us how to deliver small sided football sessions and their benefits.","content":"<p><strong><em><span>Grassroots football is back! It\u2019s been a long time coming and it\u2019s a little bit different to before but we couldn\u2019t be happier about it!<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p><p><span>To assist coaches returning to action we\u2019ve teamed up with our friends at\u00a0<\/span><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/footballdna.co.uk\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><span><u>Football DNA<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/a><span>\u00a0on a series of guest articles that offer advice and expertise in a number of areas.<\/span><\/p><p><span>Last week we looked at how to effectively <\/span><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kitlocker.com\/blog\/football-dna-plan-training-session\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span><u>plan training sessions<\/u><\/span><\/a><span>. For the next instalment Ross Brooks from Football DNA tells us about the development benefits of small sided games.<\/span><\/p><h2><strong>The Statistics<\/strong><\/h2><ul><li><p>Players touch the ball five times more often in 4-a-side football and 50% more in 7-a-side than in full games.<\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Players are involved in three times more one-against-one situations in 4-a-side football and twice as many in 7-a-side.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>On average, goals are scored every two minutes in 4-a-side football and every four minutes in 7-a-side.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Goalkeepers are involved in the action two to four times more often in 7-a-side football than in 11-a-side football.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>The ball is out of play 8% of the time in 4-a-side football, 14% in 7-a-side and 34% in 11-a-side.<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><em>(stats from <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/FIFA.com\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>FIFA.com<\/em><\/a><em>)<\/em><\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/mzpoavpag49cb8g5d34uzsb4ywq90rcl73hl0ynmjnjqmmgk.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"mzpoavpag49cb8g5d34uzsb4ywq90rcl73hl0ynmjnjqmmgk.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" \/><\/p><h2><strong>What Are the Benefits of Small Sided Football?<\/strong><\/h2><p><span>The statistical data makes it clear that small sided games will not only provide players with more game time, but also increase the volume of actions per game. With so much evidence to back up this approach, how can you use Small Sided Games to maximise your coaching programme? And if you do, what are the benefits?\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ul><li><p><strong><em><span>Time to observe \u2013 what do the players need?<\/span><\/em><\/strong><span> Through observing small sided game as a coach, you will be able to clearly highlight what players are best at and what they need to work on. This evaluation tool will not only enable you to put together a programme for your group as a whole but also for the individuals within your group.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><strong><em><span>Games allow you to challenge the group, small groups and individual players<\/span><\/em><\/strong><span>. The better you understand the individual and what support they need, the easier it is to create challenges for them. An example of this may be limiting the touches they have.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><strong><em><span>More time learning the skill, less time learning the<\/span><\/em><\/strong><em><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><strong><em><span>game<\/span><\/em><\/strong><em><span> <\/span><\/em><strong><em><span>(simple practises, maximum benefits).<\/span><\/em><\/strong><span> As youth developers, it\u2019s important to be brave by being willing to put the same practice on, knowing what the returns will be. As coaches, we like to deliver different practises from one session to the next. This sometimes leads to you explaining rules, conditions and limiting play time. Some of the best organisations I have seen across different sports use a bank of sessions and deliver only these. Why? This is because they will know the exact returns of that practise, but more importantly the players will go into that practise knowing exactly what they need to do.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><strong><em><span>Increased opportunities for children to practise what they\u2019ve learnt<\/span><\/em><\/strong><span>.\u00a0Another benefit of Small Sided Games in training is that you will be able to recreate pictures of what they\u2019re practising ahead of a match day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><strong><em><span>Children play football, to play football!<\/span><\/em><\/strong><span> It\u2019s important to remember why children come to your sessions. They want to have fun. They want to learn. But they also want to play! Children learn through playing and coaches should not limit their opportunities to play.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul><h2><strong><span>How to Develop Skills Through Small Sided Games\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2><p><span>Small sided games can be used as a great tool for developing young players. In order to maximise the benefits of using small sided games it is important to consider the following when planning a session:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><strong>Variables:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><p>Pitch area<\/p><\/li><li><p>Player numbers<\/p><\/li><li><p>Rules modification<\/p><\/li><li><p>Game duration<\/p><\/li><li><p>Player ability<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>Principles of practice design:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><p><span>Definition i.e. what is the scenario?\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Decisions \u2013 link to match days\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Difference i.e. topic of focus\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>The ingedients:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><p><span>Pitch type \u2013 use different shapes\/areas\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Player distribution \u2013 how does the game link to the system\/style of play? i.e. use positions to support learning\/recreate pictures\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Parameters \u2013 clearly defined areas (channels, zones etc.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><strong><span>Constraints:<\/span><\/strong><\/p><ul><li><p><strong>Restrict\u00a0<\/strong>players to help them develop are particular skill or technique.<\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>Relate\u00a0<\/strong>the challenge to the player\u2019s position or session outcome.<\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>Reward\u00a0<\/strong>players for delivering what you want them to achieve.<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/oia3b7vckjpp6t5wjdzfr5gipkrt1hfifs3ttavpdzvluchn.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"oia3b7vckjpp6t5wjdzfr5gipkrt1hfifs3ttavpdzvluchn.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" \/><\/p><h2><strong>Varying Small Sided Games Based on Age-Group<\/strong><\/h2><p><span>Whilst using small sided games is an excellent tool for younger players, it\u2019s also important to remember this is something that you can continue all the way through into the older age groups. Here are some great ways of comparing how small sided games can be used with both young and older players:\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><strong>For younger players:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><p><span>Free play (allowing players to experiment and try things).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Conditions\/challenges to be given.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Individual coaching (targeting\u00a0players\u00a0needs).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Less focus on tactical returns\/style of play.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Learning the tools.<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>For older players:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><p><span>Position Specific (individual\/units).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Teaching is focused more on how the game will benefit the player and their position.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Bigger emphasis on tactical returns (teaching the game).<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>More team oriented (style of play).\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Link to analysis of individual\/team performance as well as opposition.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/li><li><p><span>Developing and using the tools.<\/span><\/p><\/li><\/ul>","urlTitle":"football-dna-small-sided-games","url":"\/blog\/football-dna-small-sided-games\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/football-dna-small-sided-games\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/kitlocker.com\/blog\/football-dna-small-sided-games\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1743066737,"updatedAt":1749572893,"publishedAt":1749572892,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":356097,"name":"Kitlocker"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/h2frfaaqyfro54dftkilynxop02ry5pxcsmiexkjzdqzgodh.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/h2frfaaqyfro54dftkilynxop02ry5pxcsmiexkjzdqzgodh.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/h2frfaaqyfro54dftkilynxop02ry5pxcsmiexkjzdqzgodh.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"Learning Through Coaching Small Sided Games","metaDescription":"Small sided games are ideal for developing skills of young footballers. Football DNA tell us how to deliver small sided football sessions and their benefits.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":47845,"title":"Previewing The Kitlocker.com SGP Cup 2018","url":"\/blog\/previewing-the-kitlocker-com-sgp-cup-2018\/","urlTitle":"previewing-the-kitlocker-com-sgp-cup-2018","division":356097,"description":"Previewing The Kitlocker.com SGP Cup 2018","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/0ejx79vmo5gi9rqxmxumcyhbllafaaxm50vtndr1btypr7qn.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/0ejx79vmo5gi9rqxmxumcyhbllafaaxm50vtndr1btypr7qn.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":47752,"title":"Interview: Founder of Grenfell Athletic FC, Rupert Taylor \ud83d\udc9a","url":"\/blog\/grenfell-athletic-founder-interview\/","urlTitle":"grenfell-athletic-founder-interview","division":356097,"description":"We chatted to the founder of Grenfell Athletic Football Club, Rupert Taylor. He filled is in on seeing Harry Kane in their new kit, plans for the club and more.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/gvksfs9ignup4hlol7gyeodb1re5yvkkq9vgfho0yhqhb6tm.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/gvksfs9ignup4hlol7gyeodb1re5yvkkq9vgfho0yhqhb6tm.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":47832,"title":"Introducing Kitlocker.com Grassroots Grants","url":"\/blog\/kitlocker-grassroots-grants\/","urlTitle":"kitlocker-grassroots-grants","division":356097,"description":"We've created our Kitlocker.com Grassroots Grants to reward some of the most hard working clubs & individuals in football. Click here to read how to apply.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/vkleebmxzhslfstxvam2ypoqdwpzvcrrdt5ksfjdzeracg70.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/vkleebmxzhslfstxvam2ypoqdwpzvcrrdt5ksfjdzeracg70.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}