Small-sided games like 4v4 are highly valuable for player development at all levels. These games require players to increase their technical skills & tactical understanding, rather than simply rely on their physicality. Finding solutions to congestion and tight-space is extremely useful in full-sided soccer. 4v4 forces this scenario. Consider the following: The US Womens National Team (the US World Cup team) is the best professional Womens Soccer Team in the world. See the USWNT Training in Portugal playing 4v4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8uF2w5k3zQ FC Barcelona (Messi's team) trains using 4v4 possession activities in small spaces: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1ElfXRFIhA Futsal: Futsal is a 4v4 (+ goal keeper) adaptation of soccer played indoors in a smaller space. The benefits of outdoor 4v4 are very similar to Futsal. Consider the following statements from world-class professional soccer players on these small-sided games: Lio...
This is a blog started a long time ago by a novice but passionate youth soccer coach. Early content reveals the experience level of the coach at the time. More recent posts reflect the current state of the coach over the 10-year coaching journey. (10 years as of 2024 spring)