Guest Ed Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 I find it unusual to see two Calgary SW United teams representing the province of Alberta at the U14 level. Coincidentally, these boys and girls would have been among the first to go through the mini-soccer reform that happened within the organizations that make up SWU some 6 years ago or so. Small sided games were put in place for U6 (3 on 3), U8 (4 on 4) through U10 (7 on 7). They don't play full teams until U12. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachesl Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 I think that small sided games is a good way to go with kids, ends the boredom aspect for many positions, the baseball syndrome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Seems like I've been a firm believer in "mini-soccer" since before there was mini-soccer. As beachesl mentioned, it means more time on the ball for everybody even after factoring in the advantages of natural athleticism, and how can that be a bad thing? And since Ed started the crowing did I mention Valley Gardens U15s won the double this year, City and League Championships? Congrats to #1 Nephew who's keeping up the family's fleet-footed, hard tackling fullbacking tradition (even if it is as a right footer on Satan's side of the pitch). Lads have long since outgrown their coaches abilities but that's club football. Still, mores the pity. Even after losing several lads to Phoenix's elite programs there are still some VERY good players on this working class, multi-cultural team out of Winnipeg's East End. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeta Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Seems like I've been a firm believer in "mini-soccer" since before there was mini-soccer. As beachesl mentioned, it means more time on the ball for everybody even after factoring in the advantages of natural athleticism, and how can that be a bad thing? And since Ed started the crowing did I mention Valley Gardens U15s won the double this year, City and League Championships? Congrats to #1 Nephew who's keeping up the family's fleet-footed, hard tackling fullbacking tradition (even if it is as a right footer on Satan's side of the pitch). Lads have long since outgrown their coaches abilities but that's club football. Still, mores the pity. Even after losing several lads to Phoenix's elite programs there are still some VERY good players on this working class, multi-cultural team out of Winnipeg's East End. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBeautifulGame Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Mini soccer or "cancha reducida" (reduced field games) have been the norm in soccer-first nations throughout South America and Europe for decades, if not always. It doesn't surprise me at all that this decision paid quick dividends in Calgary. In Spain, almost all organized soccer, even in the big clubs, is played st 5 or 7 per side on very small fields for "infantile" football until the players graduate to "juvenil" at 13. The players are also exposed to 11 a side football for tactical training and to begin to develop players for the specific needs of certain positions, but in general the very small fields (and informal pick up games) are where the ball control, foot skills, eye-to-foot coordination, one-touch, quick-touch and quick thinking in confined space are all developed. Even the pro players scrimmage daily in reduced fields. The reasons are many: 1: Foot skills are greatly enhanced. More touches = more control 2: Less idle time. All players are always engaged. 3: Reaction times become much faster. 4: Players learn how to create their own shots in tight areas and/or control the ball even when guarded from different sides simultaneously (these are often the skills that differentiates just another very good player from one with true long-term pro potential.) 5: Skill skewing due to variances in physical development cycles are reduced, or better put, the fast grower or stronger player doesn't have a distinct advantage over slighter, slow developers. Males especially don't tend to start balancing out until their teens, precisely when the game is moved to 11-11 on larger fields. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ed Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Cheetah, NOW I am crowing: Calgary SWU boys U14 win 3-0 over NB; Calgary SWU girls U14 win 3-1 over MB. Lots of talent in SWU. Tech director is Thomas Niendorf's EX right hand man - Nik Koev. Coincidentally, these kids would be among the first to have gotten the extra elite coaching put in place some 4 or so years ago. How come you have U15's? Strictly even ages in our neck of the woods (changed 4-5 years ago in order to conform with some rules). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ed Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Calgary SWU boys U14 7-0 over PEI; Calgary SWU girls U14 9-0 over NWT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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