7v7, 8v8, 9v9??

Seems like most agree that smaller-sided is better for this age group, but then it looks like most top teams are either playing up in a 9v9 06 league or doing 8v8 CFBAL? So what gives? Is anybody playing 7v7 this Fall? If so where?

If I was a betting man... would say Silver CFBAL will be 7v7. But just a guess, w gold/plat 8v8. Better than last year of 9v9 and 8v8. Most tourney's are 8v8 for U8.

The biggest problem is actually getting enough teams somewhere to make a league.

Right- but the top teams should be doing 7s if player development is the objective - right?

I don't get it either...Every younger age group is given the opportunity to right the wrongs of the older groups of girls but we continue to make the same mistakes that they did...giving players positions. ..pushing them to 9v9 and 11v11 too early...putting them on huge fields...When will we learn?

Shouldn't it be 4v4 @ this age? Yet the 3v3 tourney last weekend was hurting for teams...should be development galore at 3v3. ..but judging from last weekend and quickfoot this coming...not much demand for it.

2014-08-06

$occerF@n wrote:I don't get it either...Every younger age group is given the opportunity to right the wrongs of the older groups of girls but we continue to make the same mistakes that they did...giving players positions. ..pushing them to 9v9 and 11v11 too early...putting them on huge fields...When will we learn?

AMEN!

boilerjoe_96 wrote:Shouldn't it be 4v4 @ this age?  Yet the 3v3 tourney last weekend was hurting for teams...should be development galore at 3v3. ..but judging from last weekend and quickfoot this coming...not much demand for it.

Idea, parents that want the small sided format, sign up teams and let them go play. The more you demand it the more they will supply it. Issue is soccer drama can ruin 3v3 eventually as parents feelings get hurt or parent coaches can sit back and just let them play. They have to scream and yell and take it way too serious.

FriscoSoccer05 wrote:

boilerjoe_96 wrote:Shouldn't it be 4v4 @ this age?  Yet the 3v3 tourney last weekend was hurting for teams...should be development galore at 3v3. ..but judging from last weekend and quickfoot this coming...not much demand for it.

Idea, parents that want the small sided format, sign up teams and let them go play.  The more you demand it the more they will supply it.  Issue is soccer drama can ruin 3v3 eventually as parents feelings get hurt or parent coaches can sit back and just let them play. They have to scream and yell and take it way too serious.

Nailed it... walk by many fields this past weekend and you could see it... drama from parents includes those not playing or near the field, as they dont feel included...

$occerF@n wrote:I don't get it either...Every younger age group is given the opportunity to right the wrongs of the older groups of girls but we continue to make the same mistakes that they did...giving players positions. ..pushing them to 9v9 and 11v11 too early...putting them on huge fields...When will we learn?

I believe the problem in NT lies in the big club mentality. They way I understand it is many of the clubs pay their academy coaches by the number of players on the roster (I believe many cap the quantity at 10, so over 10 is the same as having just 10). So it is more beneficial for the club and the coach to carry larger squads, and in order to get that many players field time, they need larger sided games.

With so many professional coaches in the N Tx system (no knock on those coaches that do this for a living) you are almost forcing larger sided games. Almost every coach you talk to prefers smaller sided games like they do seemingly everywhere else, but seem to have their hands tied by the clubs and leagues (and how many teams they are carrying).

Look how popular 6v6 seemed to be this summer at CFBAL with the '05s. It would be interesting to see how popular a Saturday 6v6 league would be in the fall and spring.

If nicole offered 6v6, they would be in it. The 06s had a good group in it also. Where were the 07s... Big field at blue sky?? I personally have run 2 squads all summer, 6v6 and futsal... Ask me to play big field for a seson... Ill tell you where to put it!

You want it, take a stand and make it happen.

I know some 07s that played 3v3, 4v4 and futsal when not on vacation... I also could name 30 teams that haven't been seen since spring season. So where are the 07s? Maybe they are playing 4v4 at BS or the YMCA because they aren't at the many tourney's small sided or full field.

Or maybe they are listening to Dr Andrews and taking 2-3 months off over the summer.  

http://www.theandrewsinstitute.com/InjuryPrevention/Soccer/

Overuse Lower Extremity Injuries
Shin splints (soreness in the calf), patellar tendinitis (pain in the knee), and Achilles tendinitis (pain in the back of the ankle) are some of the more common soccer overuse conditions. Soccer players are also prone to groin pulls and thigh and calf muscle strains.
Stress fractures occur when the bone becomes weak from overuse. It is often diffi cult to distinguish stress fractures from soft tissue injury. If pain develops in any part of your lower extremity and does not clearly improve after a few days of rest, a physician should be consulted to determine whether a stress fracture is present.

How to prevent overuse injuries:
Have a pre-season physical examination and follow your doctor's recommendations
Use well-fi tting cleats and shin guards – there is some evidence that molded and multi-studded cleats are safer than screw-in cleats
Be aware of poor field conditions that can increase injury rates
Use properly sized synthetic balls – leather balls that can become waterlogged and heavy are more dangerous, especially when heading
Watch out for mobile goals that can fall on players and request fixed goals whenever possible
Hydrate adequately – waiting until you are thirsty is often too late to hydrate properly
Pay attention to environmental recommendations, especially in relation to excessively hot and humid weather, to help avoid heat illness
Maintain proper fitness – injury rates are higher in athletes who have not adequately prepared physically.
After a period of inactivity, progress gradually back to full-contact soccer through activities such as aerobic conditioning, strength training, and agility training.
Avoid overuse injuries – more is not always better! Many sports medicine specialists believe that it is beneficial to take at least one season off each year.

Try to avoid the pressure that is now exerted on many young athletes to over-train. Listen to your body and decrease training time and intensity if pain or discomfort develops. This will reduce the risk of injury and help avoid "burn-out"
Speak with a sports medicine professional or athletic trainer if you have any concerns about injuries or prevention strategies

Fully agree that small sided at this age should be the standard. I know that the Dallas Texans Dynamo 07 much prefer to play 7v7 this Fall and in tournaments. However, the teams that would be at our same competitive level seem to prefer bigger fields with more players. This puts teams like ours in a difficult position either play 8v8/9v9 or play 7v7 in a silver division.

I don't get it..some of the coaches that I have heard or read posts speaking of the developmental value of staying small sided are now choosing the opposite. We would be thrilled to see a Platinum or Gold 7v7 division make. If anyone knows of one..I would love to hear about it.

Sting East '07 Harr will be playing 7v7 at CFBAL. While our team is large enough to play 8v8 or 9v9 since we have 15 girls, our coach prefers to develop the girls through 7v7. We will be entering two teams in two different divisions. Hope everyone will join us!

jeaton wrote:Sting East '07 Harr will be playing 7v7 at CFBAL. While our team is large enough to play 8v8 or 9v9 since we have 15 girls, our coach prefers to develop the girls through 7v7. We will be entering two teams in two different divisions. Hope everyone will join us!

Jeaton which divisions will you all be entering ( platinum , Gold or Silver)?

I am not sure bigtex. I sent a message to Nicole to see if she would have platinum, gold, and silver available for 7v7 at CFBAL. I am still waiting to hear from her.

Well I spoke to her briefly today about this very thing. Given everyone seems to be choosing different division levels and different player sizes 7v7/8v8 something has to give. Likely either 8v8 and 7v7 will have to collapse divisions into one maybe two or 8v8 or 7v7 is going to have to win the day within the divisions (i.e. 8v8 platinum and 7v7 platinum become just 7v7 platinum). I think our team will likely enter 7v7 platinum/gold (I think platinum and gold will just have to merge anyway).

The added complication is the home team gets to play the games on their chosen day. And based on what I have seen in the platinum/gold divisions it looks like Saturday is preferred. However our coach much prefer Sunday so we will have to discuss if we can make that work.

We played Sunday last season at CFBAL. I just asked the coach and he is waiting to see if his '04s will play on Saturday or Sunday.

Tell him to go look at last years schedule for 03s. If in LH I believe the majority of their games are played Saturday. Also as a note, Nicole will work around select schedules all you have to do is communicate the schedule to her. She rocks that way!

KopDad wrote:

$occerF@n wrote:I don't get it either...Every younger age group is given the opportunity to right the wrongs of the older groups of girls but we continue to make the same mistakes that they did...giving players positions. ..pushing them to 9v9 and 11v11 too early...putting them on huge fields...When will we learn?

I believe the problem in NT lies in the big club mentality.  They way I understand it is many of the clubs pay their academy coaches by the number of players on the roster (I believe many cap the quantity at 10, so over 10 is the same as having just 10).  So it is more beneficial for the club and the coach to carry larger squads, and in order to get that many players field time, they need larger sided games.

With so many professional coaches in the N Tx system (no knock on those coaches that do this for a living) you are almost forcing larger sided games.  Almost every coach you talk to prefers smaller sided games like they do seemingly everywhere else, but seem to have their hands tied by the clubs and leagues (and how many teams they are carrying).

Look how popular 6v6 seemed to be this summer at CFBAL with the '05s.  It would be interesting to see how popular a Saturday 6v6 league would be in the fall and spring.

Now this explanation makes sense (follow the $$). So assume the premise that clubs (not coaches necessarily) want larger sided games- the fix has to come from NTX. Parents either don't know any better or don't want to speak up against the club/coach. NTX sanctions play. Eliminate the option of 8v8 or 9v9 for the age group and then most will play. (Some will still play up and do 9v9). This would in turn strengthen the leagues and with numbers allow for different levels of play. Boilerjoe- you seem to like smaller sided- what is your dds team playing this fall?

FriscoSoccer05 wrote:Or maybe they are listening to Dr Andrews and taking 2-3 months off over the summer.  

http://www.theandrewsinstitute.com/InjuryPrevention/Soccer/

Overuse Lower Extremity Injuries
Shin splints (soreness in the calf), patellar tendinitis (pain in the knee), and Achilles tendinitis (pain in the back of the ankle) are some of the more common soccer overuse conditions. Soccer players are also prone to groin pulls and thigh and calf muscle strains.
Stress fractures occur when the bone becomes weak from overuse. It is often diffi cult to distinguish stress fractures from soft tissue injury. If pain develops in any part of your lower extremity and does not clearly improve after a few days of rest, a physician should be consulted to determine whether a stress fracture is present.

How to prevent overuse injuries:
Have a pre-season physical examination and follow your doctor's recommendations
Use well-fi tting cleats and shin guards – there is some evidence that molded and multi-studded cleats are safer than screw-in cleats
Be aware of poor field conditions that can increase injury rates
Use properly sized synthetic balls – leather balls that can become waterlogged and heavy are more dangerous, especially when heading
Watch out for mobile goals that can fall on players and request fixed goals whenever possible
Hydrate adequately – waiting until you are thirsty is often too late to hydrate properly
Pay attention to environmental recommendations, especially in relation to excessively hot and humid weather, to help avoid heat illness
Maintain proper fitness – injury rates are higher in athletes who have not adequately prepared physically.
After a period of inactivity, progress gradually back to full-contact soccer through activities such as aerobic conditioning, strength training, and agility training.
Avoid overuse injuries – more is not always better! Many sports medicine specialists believe that it is beneficial to take at least one season off each year.

Try to avoid the pressure that is now exerted on many young athletes to over-train. Listen to your body and decrease training time and intensity if pain or discomfort develops. This will reduce the risk of injury and help avoid "burn-out"
Speak with a sports medicine professional or athletic trainer if you have any concerns about injuries or prevention strategies

tl; dnr   

Cobra_Kai wrote:

FriscoSoccer05 wrote:Or maybe they are listening to Dr Andrews and taking 2-3 months off over the summer.  

http://www.theandrewsinstitute.com/InjuryPrevention/Soccer/

Overuse Lower Extremity Injuries
Shin splints (soreness in the calf), patellar tendinitis (pain in the knee), and Achilles tendinitis (pain in the back of the ankle) are some of the more common soccer overuse conditions. Soccer players are also prone to groin pulls and thigh and calf muscle strains.
Stress fractures occur when the bone becomes weak from overuse. It is often diffi cult to distinguish stress fractures from soft tissue injury. If pain develops in any part of your lower extremity and does not clearly improve after a few days of rest, a physician should be consulted to determine whether a stress fracture is present.

How to prevent overuse injuries:
Have a pre-season physical examination and follow your doctor's recommendations
Use well-fi tting cleats and shin guards – there is some evidence that molded and multi-studded cleats are safer than screw-in cleats
Be aware of poor field conditions that can increase injury rates
Use properly sized synthetic balls – leather balls that can become waterlogged and heavy are more dangerous, especially when heading
Watch out for mobile goals that can fall on players and request fixed goals whenever possible
Hydrate adequately – waiting until you are thirsty is often too late to hydrate properly
Pay attention to environmental recommendations, especially in relation to excessively hot and humid weather, to help avoid heat illness
Maintain proper fitness – injury rates are higher in athletes who have not adequately prepared physically.
After a period of inactivity, progress gradually back to full-contact soccer through activities such as aerobic conditioning, strength training, and agility training.
Avoid overuse injuries – more is not always better! Many sports medicine specialists believe that it is beneficial to take at least one season off each year.

Try to avoid the pressure that is now exerted on many young athletes to over-train. Listen to your body and decrease training time and intensity if pain or discomfort develops. This will reduce the risk of injury and help avoid "burn-out"
Speak with a sports medicine professional or athletic trainer if you have any concerns about injuries or prevention strategies

tl; dnr    

Definition: Too Long; Did Not Read   had to google that one!  

Dread Pirate wrote:

KopDad wrote:

$occerF@n wrote:I don't get it either...Every younger age group is given the opportunity to right the wrongs of the older groups of girls but we continue to make the same mistakes that they did...giving players positions. ..pushing them to 9v9 and 11v11 too early...putting them on huge fields...When will we learn?

I believe the problem in NT lies in the big club mentality.  They way I understand it is many of the clubs pay their academy coaches by the number of players on the roster (I believe many cap the quantity at 10, so over 10 is the same as having just 10).  So it is more beneficial for the club and the coach to carry larger squads, and in order to get that many players field time, they need larger sided games.

With so many professional coaches in the N Tx system (no knock on those coaches that do this for a living) you are almost forcing larger sided games.  Almost every coach you talk to prefers smaller sided games like they do seemingly everywhere else, but seem to have their hands tied by the clubs and leagues (and how many teams they are carrying).

Look how popular 6v6 seemed to be this summer at CFBAL with the '05s.  It would be interesting to see how popular a Saturday 6v6 league would be in the fall and spring.

Now this explanation makes sense (follow the $$). So assume the premise that clubs (not coaches necessarily) want larger sided games- the fix has to come from NTX.  Parents either don't know any better or don't want to speak up against the club/coach.  NTX sanctions play.  Eliminate the option of 8v8 or 9v9 for the age group and then most will play. (Some will still play up and do 9v9).  This would in turn strengthen the leagues and with numbers allow for different levels of play.  Boilerjoe- you seem to like smaller sided- what is your dds team playing this fall?

I do like small sided for all the reasons given. That's why my dd from U5 has done many(9 maybe 10 a year this year by time year is over) 3v3's/4v4's in addition to regular team play. That is 40-45 small sided games a year (with 4 or 5 a tourney). Mine is playing U9 9v9 for the challenge of playing up, certainly not for the 9v9. She also is U8 CFBAL which ever way the Gold/Plat divisions go.

We can argue about 7v7 and 8v8...but let's take a half glass full approach, it's not 9v9 and 8v8 like the 06s did last year for in age group play. Perfect? Nope, but a step in right direction. Now, I am not so sure 7v7 on 50x80 makes sense, that makes it a track meet and not a ball skill game. If the game is 7v7 I think 40X60 makes more sense, but just my humble little opinion now open for all to bash.

Boilerjoe-wouldn't the competition be there for your daughter's team if teams like yours stayed in age group- and demanded 7v7? Surely the leagues can handle the field size issue.

Dread Pirate wrote:Boilerjoe-wouldn't the competition be there for your daughter's team if teams like yours stayed in age group- and demanded 7v7?   Surely the leagues can handle the field size issue.  

If all the 07s in North Texas signed up for CFBAL, we would still have one grouping of girls play up if that is the question.  Same girls but different teams would be in Plat as they are now.  Please Talk to Katt webb, her top group isn't playing in age and doing 9v9.  Where are Sting East, Kicks, LFS, Texan Dynamo?  All are capable gold/plat level teams with plenty of players and have played 8v8 and 7v7. If gold/plat teams want 7v7 I am fine with that(again not my call), but I don't think 1 player is magically going to bring gold/plat type teams to the table(except Dynamo, leave that one to BigTex).Where are the 20 or more silver level teams? Most believe silver will play 7v7 no mad rush to sign up yet and half the silver teams have signed up 8v8.    I could be wrong on all this, wouldn't be first time.  Mainly frustrated that 5 teams outside of our own have signed up.  That in and of itself might lead a team to go find 06s to play before its too late(silver B u9 still open but is 9v9   ).  Why would an LP team play its sister team(which can happen any day of the week) and only two others in league play if Gold/Plat combined.  Doesn't make sense.