| Are small sided games the best way to train my | | | | is quick, this will force players to move quickly as well. |
| team? My answer to that question is YES! Before I | | | | A players speed and agility is definitely enhanced by |
| get into the reasons for my answer, let me qualify that | | | | small sided games. In addition, soccer fitness is being |
| answer. What I mean by small sided soccer games | | | | developed as well. Through quick, explosive |
| are 3v3 and 5v5 games. | | | | movements, players gain great anaerobic and aerobic |
| Here is my rationale: | | | | conditioning also. |
| Touches on the ball: In a 5v5 game, there are plenty of | | | | Movement off the ball: players now need to move |
| touches to go around. The more quality touches a | | | | quickly off the ball and get into supportive positions to |
| player can accumulate, the better they will become. I | | | | a teammate that has the ball. This movement off the |
| hope you caught the word "quality" in that previous | | | | ball figures into the speed of play point as well. |
| sentence. Quality means just that, as an example, don't | | | | Communication: is also critical now because of the |
| allow your players to have a bad first touch | | | | speed of play, and tighter field constraints. Having |
| repeatedly, work with them to get a quality first touch | | | | teammates working on giving verbal help and cues to |
| in these games. | | | | their teammates will help make for better play on the |
| Composure with the ball: In a 3v3 game where you put | | | | big field. |
| some size restrictions into place, players now must | | | | One thing I like to also do before I get into a small sided |
| learn to keep possession of the ball while maintaining | | | | 5v5 game is have the players work on some technical |
| their composure. Pressure in a small sided, tight space | | | | skill (ie. step over move). During the small sided games |
| will be plentiful....so they will definitely learn to deal with | | | | then, I will award a point for any players that execute |
| that pressure in games like this. If they can be | | | | a proper "step over" in the game. |
| composed with the ball in these tighter areas, playing | | | | In summary, my belief is training your players in a small |
| on the big field will be much easier for them. | | | | sided manner (3v3 or 5v5) offers the players many |
| Speed of play: Because of constant pressure, players | | | | quality touches on the ball, enhancing their speed of |
| will also learn how to play quicker with the ball. Players | | | | play and their overall speed and agility. Composure |
| are now forced to play maybe 1-2 touches before | | | | with the ball and Communication skills are also greatly |
| passing. Enhancing a high quality, quicker pace game | | | | developed. |
| can help players and teams alike. | | | | Have a great day! |
| Athletic performance: If the tempo is high and the play | | | | |