Beginning with the Spring 2005 Season, the West Hartford Youth Soccer Association has reorganized its recreational divisions to offer short-sided soccer (also called micro soccer) to promote skills development in an age appropriate environment. WHYSA has been considering these changes for some time. We gathered opinions from prominent professional coaches, researched surrounding towns, all of whom offer short-soccer in developmental leagues, and consulted the U.S. Soccer Federation and Connecticut Junior Soccer Association. They all advocate short-sided soccer, which emphasizes basic technique and skill development.
A study of young (9 and under) players by Manchester United in the U.K. showed that during a similar-duration 8 v 8 game and a 4 v 4 game, on average, the 4 v 4 based games increased the number of passes by 135%, the number of scoring attempts by 260%, the number of 1 v 1 encounters by 225% and the number of dribbling skills (tricks) demonstrated by 280%. They concluded that the 4 v 4 based games offered players a significantly higher number of touches (as defined by the number of passes, shots, goals, 1 v 1 encounters and dribbling skills) than comparable 8 v 8 games. Furthermore, 4 v 4 based games were better for developing more skillful young players.
West Hartford Youth Soccer now has the resources to phase in these changes with the goal of teaching children soccer skills in fun, age-appropriate playing environments. Children in Training, Mites and Juniors will be clustered by age groups of two years. Each division of these divisions will adopt smaller sided soccer. The Seniors Division will be unaffected. We appreciate your patience as we implement these changes and encourage you to become involved with West Hartford Youth Soccer.
Specific guidelines for each division are outlined below, followed by a description of each division's philosophy.
As always, the division coordinators and our other Board of Director members welcome your comments and participation. We may be reached through our website, www.westhartfordsoccer.net. Thank you.
Mario Gilardini, President, West Hartford Youth Soccer Association
Training Division (U7) (children born 2001 and 2000) Games will be 4 v 4 or 3 v 3, as they were last fall, with recommended roster sizes of 12. In Fall 2007, the Training Division (U7) (4 v 4) will again be offered to children born in 2001 and 2000.
Mites Division (U9) (children born in 1999 and 1998) Games will be 6 v 6, with rosters of 10 children. In Fall 2007, the Mites Division (U9) (6 v 6) will again include children born in 1999 and 1998.
Juniors Division (U11) (children born in 1997 and 1996) in Fall 2005 the division shifted to 8 v 8 games with off sides and penalty shots. This division shrank to two age groups and roster size dropped to 12.
Seniors Division (U14) (children born 1995, 1994 and 1993) will play 11 v 11.
Roster Size: Roster size may vary slightly from the recommended size depending on the number of children registering.
What does U- refer to? Please note: Recreational soccer divides children by calendar year of birth. This differs from Travel Soccer, which divides children by year from August 1st. In Recreational Soccer, “U” refers to “under” but it means children in that category may be turning that age by the end of the year (for example, U-9 means kids nine by December 31st and under.)
The Training Division emphasizes the development of basic soccer skills through age-appropriate and enjoyable techniques. The primary objectives are: to learn to enjoy soccer as a team sport, to have fun, and to encourage continued participation in soccer as the child grows older. Weekly practices usually include scrimmages, and weekend games are held Saturday mornings or late Sunday mornings in Fall and Spring. The Training Division is open to children ages 6 or 7 by December 31st. Games will be played in a 4 v 4 or 3 v 3 format to promote skill development in a fun environment.
WHYSA has adopted a small-sided soccer format for the developmental divisions of recreational soccer. A study of young (9 and under) players by Manchester United in the U.K. showed that during a similar-duration 8 v 8 game and a 4 v 4 game, on average, the 4 v 4 based games increased the number of passes by 135%, the number of scoring attempts by 260%, the number of 1 v 1 encounters by 225% and the number of dribbling skills (tricks) demonstrated by 280%. They concluded that the 4 v 4 based games offered players a significantly higher number of touches (as defined by the number of passes, shots, goals, 1 v 1 encounters and dribbling skills) than comparable 8 v 8 games. Furthermore, 4 v 4 based games were better for developing more skillful young players.
The Mites Division introduces team play and continues soccer skill development to the youth of West Hartford. Although it is recognized that the children as well as the parents will know which team won or lost the games, the Mites Division is not meant to be a competitive group. It is rather the intent of the division to concentrate on team play, on understanding the concepts of the game of soccer for the first time, on positional play, and on having fun. The concepts being introduced at practice as well as during the games are to reinforce these principles and guidelines.
The Mites play a Fall and Spring schedule, with games usually on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Children 8 or 9 year old by December 31st compete in both seasons. Games are 6 v 6 with referees, but off sides is not called, and penalty kicks are not allowed.
Mites Division coaches generally structure weekly practices to accommodate for the short attention span of the children. Five to six minute drills or scrimmages allow the 60-90 minute practice sessions to move quickly. Having the children standing in lines waiting to shoot or dribble through cones can be a formula for disaster for the average eight year old. There is a responsibility on the part of the coaches to be sure that all children are involved in the practice. Scrimmages are a good way to emphasize teamwork, positional play, and for keeping the practice fun, after the skills have been introduced and practiced.
On game days, it is important for the head coach to arrive early. As children arrive, they should pass the ball back and forth and warm up until the entire team arrives. The philosophy of the Mites is that every child will play one half of the game. These must be uninterrupted consecutive sessions as opposed to in an out in each of the quarters.
The object of the game is to have fun, and, if possible, display the skills that have been worked on during the week. The parents on the sidelines, however, may bring a more specific desire for victory to the game. It is the coach's responsibility to keep the parents informed about the division's philosophies. The Mites Division emphasis is not on winning or losing, but on the development of team play, good sportsmanship and the introduction of the basic skills of soccer to the children.
The philosophy of the Junior Division is that players develop an understanding of the rules of Soccer, basic terminology, basic skills, and positional play. The concept of team play must be emphasized, and within that concept the maintaining of position is important. Players should be introduced to different field positions during game situations at this level. The player who roams all over the field dominating the ball and play is a disruption to the learning process of the other players and is to be discouraged from doing so.
Junior Division is offered only in the Fall. Games are 8 v 8 with off sides and penalty kicks. The Junior Division is made up of children ages 10 and11 by December 31st. In developing rosters each Fall, the League attempts to disperse the players equitably among the teams in an attempt to maintain competitive parity within the League.
The League has a rule that each player must play two uninterrupted periods in each game and since we have no formal mechanism for monitoring playing time, coaches are on their honor to comply with this rule. High volume coaching from the sidelines during the game is discouraged for two reasons: first, it encourages parents to do the same thing and second, it puts additional pressure on the young players and detracts from the enjoyment of the game.
More information will be available prior to the Fall season.
One of the philosophies of the Senior Division can be summed up by saying that our goal is to have coaches refrain from coaching from the sideline, but for quite different reasons from those presented for the Junior Division. In the Senior Division we wish to encourage on-field analysis of opponents' strengths and weaknesses and for players to make adjustments themselves. Emphasis should be on teaching, creativity, analysis of play, mobility off the ball, and various strategies to use for differing situations. This is a difficult concept to implement but if we seek it as a goal, the overall result will be quite positive for the players in that it should create better soccer players who enjoy the game more. Coaches should not ignore basic skills during practices since it is certain that some players will enter the Senior Division lacking skill development in some areas. It is suggested that the coach use players to instruct basic skills to those deficient in them and that captains be utilized to run the calisthenics and warm-up exercises.
The Senior Division is open to children aged 12, 13 or 14 by December 31st and games are 11 v 11 on a full-sized field
Senior Division Draft
The rules and regulations for player assignment are set up to assure an equitable distribution of players for each league. These rules are covered under Article XI ¬ Section 10 of the By-laws, but we have expanded on the Senior Division draft below because it is not a simple procedure.
It has been found through experience that the most equitable means of distributing players to the Senior Division is through the use of a Draft. The draft is conducted in late July after the close of registration each year. The draft order is determined by the number of returning players and operates on a rotational basis in accordance with the By-laws. Other rules apply to the draft for the express purpose of avoiding unfair selection of players. The only reason allowed for pre-assignment of players is that the father assuming a head coach position or the player has a brother on an existing Senior Division team. For assistant coach positions, the fundamental rule is that the father must follow the assignment of the player. Coaches may not pre-select assistant coaches. However, in the event that such a situation occurs it must be with the consent of all coaches in the Division as stated in the By-laws.
The evaluation forms for previous year juniors are collected, duplicated, and forwarded to each Senior Division coach by early Summer for use in the player draft. The rating forms are also accompanied by a list of registered players. The Senior Division Supervisor of the players from the previous year who have registered alerts each team's coach in late June. This gives the coach a chance to remind unregistered players that they must register prior to the draft if they intend to play. Players not registered by the time of the draft are not guaranteed a spot in the league. However, preference will be given to a child's previous team in the event of late registration so as to avoid the issue of using late registration as a means of switching teams.