05G - Aug 17-19th Primetimesportz Tourney. 9v9 or 7 v 7

Ok, great question came up figured it seamed like a great poll question.

Already heard the following teams want 9v9:
LP Hyypia
Dallas kicks

Not sure about the others...

Others I have heard that Are playing include LP Heighway, DT Moreno, LP Rush, American Eagles not sure of their format requests (7v7 or 9v9)

Deadline to register is this Friday!

Makes no sense for kids this age to play 9v9, heck they should be playing 7v7 for the next 4-5 years, but then the clubs couldn't make as much money per team.

I agree with you, fewer players the more touches on the ball, fortunately, most of these teams also play Futsal (5v5) and a lot of small side stuff (3v3 tourneys, leagues etc) as well to counter the negative effects of 7v7, 8v8 or 9v9.

The thought that some adults thinks that 9 v 9 is acceptable for a group of 7-8 year olds is wild. It should be about more touches and quick decision making. The thought of our little cuties running around on a bigger field in 100+ degrees is such a turn off. if a coach wants more kids on the field to play then form a second team.

The more I'm around NTX soccer my desire to push my daughter towards swimming and golf is increasing.

Texasdude wrote:The thought that some adults thinks that 9 v 9 is acceptable for a group of 7-8 year olds is wild. It should be about more touches and quick decision making. The thought of our little cuties running around on a bigger field in 100+ degrees is such a turn off. if a coach wants more kids on the field to play then form a second team.

The more I'm around NTX soccer my desire to push my daughter towards swimming and golf is increasing.

I think it depends on the girls. Remember, it used to be girls played casually two short seasons a year in rec until 9-10 years old. Today, some U8s have already been playing for 4 years with most of that in academy playing nearly year round. While 7 on 7 on a small field is great for touches, it's not good for formations/positions. 9v9 on a bigger field brings more "modes" to the game with true fronts, mids, and backs and SOME of these girls are ready to learn this.

Don't forget that most of these more advanced U8s are also playing small sided tournaments and games on a regular basis also.

Certainly not good for all U8s and I would say U7s none at all.

Shelby427 wrote:

Texasdude wrote:The thought that some adults thinks that 9 v 9 is acceptable for a group of 7-8 year olds is wild. It should be about more touches and quick decision making. The thought of our little cuties running around on a bigger field in 100+ degrees is such a turn off. if a coach wants more kids on the field to play then form a second team.

The more I'm around NTX soccer my desire to push my daughter towards swimming and golf is increasing.

I think it depends on the girls. Remember, it used to be girls played casually two short seasons a year in rec until 9-10 years old. Today, some U8s have already been playing for 4 years with most of that in academy playing nearly year round. While 7 on 7 on a small field is great for touches, it's not good for formations/positions. 9v9 on a bigger field brings more "modes" to the game with true fronts, mids, and backs and SOME of these girls are ready to learn this.

Don't forget that most of these more advanced U8s are also playing small sided tournaments and games on a regular basis also.

Certainly not good for all U8s and I would say U7s none at all.

I worry less about positions at this age, shouldn't they all learn to paly every position so they are well rounded and get as many touches as possible. It's just a chance for the clubs to take in more money, of course I am guilty of handing it to them.

lovethegame wrote:

Shelby427 wrote:

Texasdude wrote:The thought that some adults thinks that 9 v 9 is acceptable for a group of 7-8 year olds is wild. It should be about more touches and quick decision making. The thought of our little cuties running around on a bigger field in 100+ degrees is such a turn off. if a coach wants more kids on the field to play then form a second team.

The more I'm around NTX soccer my desire to push my daughter towards swimming and golf is increasing.

I think it depends on the girls. Remember, it used to be girls played casually two short seasons a year in rec until 9-10 years old. Today, some U8s have already been playing for 4 years with most of that in academy playing nearly year round. While 7 on 7 on a small field is great for touches, it's not good for formations/positions. 9v9 on a bigger field brings more "modes" to the game with true fronts, mids, and backs and SOME of these girls are ready to learn this.

Don't forget that most of these more advanced U8s are also playing small sided tournaments and games on a regular basis also.

Certainly not good for all U8s and I would say U7s none at all.

I worry less about positions at this age, shouldn't they all learn to paly every position so they are well rounded and get as many touches as possible. It's just a chance for the clubs to take in more money, of course I am guilty of handing it to them.

How can they learn to play "all of the positions" of you don't have them in the first place. Of course I agree kids should try different parts.

Again, most U8s are not ready for this but some are.

Shelby427 wrote:

Texasdude wrote:The thought that some adults thinks that 9 v 9 is acceptable for a group of 7-8 year olds is wild. It should be about more touches and quick decision making. The thought of our little cuties running around on a bigger field in 100+ degrees is such a turn off. if a coach wants more kids on the field to play then form a second team.

The more I'm around NTX soccer my desire to push my daughter towards swimming and golf is increasing.

I think it depends on the girls. Remember, it used to be girls played casually two short seasons a year in rec until 9-10 years old. Today, some U8s have already been playing for 4 years with most of that in academy playing nearly year round. While 7 on 7 on a small field is great for touches, it's not good for formations/positions. 9v9 on a bigger field brings more "modes" to the game with true fronts, mids, and backs and SOME of these girls are ready to learn this.

Don't forget that most of these more advanced U8s are also playing small sided tournaments and games on a regular basis also.

Certainly not good for all U8s and I would say U7s none at all.

This is where you and I disagree. I feel that touches and quick decision making should trump EVERYTHING at this age. I think it should be that way until u12. No other state pushes their kids to a 9 v 9/11 v 11 the way Texas does. Teaching a player basic 7 v 7 tactics translates easily to a 11 v 11.

Parents and even coaches forget that when an 18 year old kid is lacking a certain skill, it's because someone did not teach them that skill when they were younger. It's like learning a language, it's best to do it when they are young. Once the window closes, everything is so much more difficult. Tactics can always be taught later, but teaching a kid quick decision making and improvement in fine motor skills is something that is best done when they are young.

I respect your opinion, but 9 v 9 is nothing more than a marketing/business decision that doesn't have the kids best interest in mind. I recently watched a top U11 boys team who still couldn't string together four passes. That is so sad. I'd say that maybe three teams at each level can truly play some sort of possession soccer. I'd attribute the lack of ball movement due to the fact that tactics were driven down these kids throats as opposed to ball possession and skills development.

Just my opinion,

Texasdude wrote:

Shelby427 wrote:

Texasdude wrote:The thought that some adults thinks that 9 v 9 is acceptable for a group of 7-8 year olds is wild. It should be about more touches and quick decision making. The thought of our little cuties running around on a bigger field in 100+ degrees is such a turn off. if a coach wants more kids on the field to play then form a second team.

The more I'm around NTX soccer my desire to push my daughter towards swimming and golf is increasing.

I think it depends on the girls. Remember, it used to be girls played casually two short seasons a year in rec until 9-10 years old. Today, some U8s have already been playing for 4 years with most of that in academy playing nearly year round. While 7 on 7 on a small field is great for touches, it's not good for formations/positions. 9v9 on a bigger field brings more "modes" to the game with true fronts, mids, and backs and SOME of these girls are ready to learn this.

Don't forget that most of these more advanced U8s are also playing small sided tournaments and games on a regular basis also.

Certainly not good for all U8s and I would say U7s none at all.

This is where you and I disagree. I feel that touches and quick decision making should trump EVERYTHING at this age. I think it should be that way until u12. No other state pushes their kids to a 9 v 9/11 v 11 the way Texas does. Teaching a player basic 7 v 7 tactics translates easily to a 11 v 11.

Parents and even coaches forget that when an 18 year old kid is lacking a certain skill, it's because someone did not teach them that skill when they were younger. It's like learning a language, it's best to do it when they are young. Once the window closes, everything is so much more difficult. Tactics can always be taught later, but teaching a kid quick decision making and improvement in fine motor skills is something that is best done when they are young.

I respect your opinion, but 9 v 9 is nothing more than a marketing/business decision that doesn't have the kids best interest in mind. I recently watched a top U11 boys team who still couldn't string together four passes. That is so sad. I'd say that maybe three teams at each level can truly play some sort of possession soccer. I'd attribute the lack of ball movement due to the fact that tactics were driven down these kids throats as opposed to ball possession and skills development.

Just my opinion,

Why U12, why not U14 or U16?

The problem with your theory is that is assumes all kids learn at the same pace and arrive to U12 the same.

Why hold back kids who already know when to pass back, move to space, and cross well?

Are all 5th graders ready for Algebra? No... does this mean we should also hold back the ones who are ready?

Soccer is no different.

Shelby427 wrote:

Texasdude wrote:

Shelby427 wrote:

Texasdude wrote:The thought that some adults thinks that 9 v 9 is acceptable for a group of 7-8 year olds is wild. It should be about more touches and quick decision making. The thought of our little cuties running around on a bigger field in 100+ degrees is such a turn off. if a coach wants more kids on the field to play then form a second team.

The more I'm around NTX soccer my desire to push my daughter towards swimming and golf is increasing.

I think it depends on the girls. Remember, it used to be girls played casually two short seasons a year in rec until 9-10 years old. Today, some U8s have already been playing for 4 years with most of that in academy playing nearly year round. While 7 on 7 on a small field is great for touches, it's not good for formations/positions. 9v9 on a bigger field brings more "modes" to the game with true fronts, mids, and backs and SOME of these girls are ready to learn this.

Don't forget that most of these more advanced U8s are also playing small sided tournaments and games on a regular basis also.

Certainly not good for all U8s and I would say U7s none at all.

This is where you and I disagree. I feel that touches and quick decision making should trump EVERYTHING at this age. I think it should be that way until u12. No other state pushes their kids to a 9 v 9/11 v 11 the way Texas does. Teaching a player basic 7 v 7 tactics translates easily to a 11 v 11.

Parents and even coaches forget that when an 18 year old kid is lacking a certain skill, it's because someone did not teach them that skill when they were younger. It's like learning a language, it's best to do it when they are young. Once the window closes, everything is so much more difficult. Tactics can always be taught later, but teaching a kid quick decision making and improvement in fine motor skills is something that is best done when they are young.

I respect your opinion, but 9 v 9 is nothing more than a marketing/business decision that doesn't have the kids best interest in mind. I recently watched a top U11 boys team who still couldn't string together four passes. That is so sad. I'd say that maybe three teams at each level can truly play some sort of possession soccer. I'd attribute the lack of ball movement due to the fact that tactics were driven down these kids throats as opposed to ball possession and skills development.

Just my opinion,

Why U12, why not U14 or U16?

The problem with your theory is that is assumes all kids learn at the same pace and arrive to U12 the same.

Why hold back kids who already know when to pass back, move to space, and cross well?

Are all 5th graders ready for Algebra? No... does this mean we should also hold back the ones who are ready?

Soccer is no different.

I'm fully with you in terms of challenging kids at a young age. However, we differ on how we would challenge them. If you have a kid that is doing everything you say they can do against the absolute best competition available at their age, then have them play up. Continue to improve their abilities/skills/decision making while they have a kid that is older, quicker, and more physical breathing challenging them. Great players can make good decisions when they have constraints of time and space. That is the number 1 concept we should be teaching kids at an early age. 9 v 9 Tactics should take a backseat for u8 kids no matter how advanced they may seem at this time. I'm not saying skills specifically. Nothing sadder then a kid who can only work his way around cones. I'm saying that quick decision making, ball possession, and skills should be the priority at this age.

Just my opinion,

Texasdude wrote:

Shelby427 wrote:

Texasdude wrote:

Shelby427 wrote:

Texasdude wrote:The thought that some adults thinks that 9 v 9 is acceptable for a group of 7-8 year olds is wild. It should be about more touches and quick decision making. The thought of our little cuties running around on a bigger field in 100+ degrees is such a turn off. if a coach wants more kids on the field to play then form a second team.

The more I'm around NTX soccer my desire to push my daughter towards swimming and golf is increasing.

I think it depends on the girls. Remember, it used to be girls played casually two short seasons a year in rec until 9-10 years old. Today, some U8s have already been playing for 4 years with most of that in academy playing nearly year round. While 7 on 7 on a small field is great for touches, it's not good for formations/positions. 9v9 on a bigger field brings more "modes" to the game with true fronts, mids, and backs and SOME of these girls are ready to learn this.

Don't forget that most of these more advanced U8s are also playing small sided tournaments and games on a regular basis also.

Certainly not good for all U8s and I would say U7s none at all.

This is where you and I disagree. I feel that touches and quick decision making should trump EVERYTHING at this age. I think it should be that way until u12. No other state pushes their kids to a 9 v 9/11 v 11 the way Texas does. Teaching a player basic 7 v 7 tactics translates easily to a 11 v 11.

Parents and even coaches forget that when an 18 year old kid is lacking a certain skill, it's because someone did not teach them that skill when they were younger. It's like learning a language, it's best to do it when they are young. Once the window closes, everything is so much more difficult. Tactics can always be taught later, but teaching a kid quick decision making and improvement in fine motor skills is something that is best done when they are young.

I respect your opinion, but 9 v 9 is nothing more than a marketing/business decision that doesn't have the kids best interest in mind. I recently watched a top U11 boys team who still couldn't string together four passes. That is so sad. I'd say that maybe three teams at each level can truly play some sort of possession soccer. I'd attribute the lack of ball movement due to the fact that tactics were driven down these kids throats as opposed to ball possession and skills development.

Just my opinion,

Why U12, why not U14 or U16?

The problem with your theory is that is assumes all kids learn at the same pace and arrive to U12 the same.

Why hold back kids who already know when to pass back, move to space, and cross well?

Are all 5th graders ready for Algebra? No... does this mean we should also hold back the ones who are ready?

Soccer is no different.

I'm fully with you in terms of challenging kids at a young age. However, we differ on how we would challenge them. If you have a kid that is doing everything you say they can do against the absolute best competition available at their age, then have them play up. Continue to improve their abilities/skills/decision making while they have a kid that is older, quicker, and more physical breathing challenging them. Great players can make good decisions when they have constraints of time and space. That is the number 1 concept we should be teaching kids at an early age. 9 v 9 Tactics should take a backseat for u8 kids no matter how advanced they may seem at this time. I'm not saying skills specifically. Nothing sadder then a kid who can only work his way around cones. I'm saying that quick decision making, ball possession, and skills should be the priority at this age.

Just my opinion,

Again, many of these same kids are also playing small sided games on a regular basis... it's not like they are NOT getting those chances in practice, 3 on 3 and 5 on 5 games.

Not for everyone... and probably only 10%... but those 10% should not be held back nor should they be denied the chance to learn these tactics with others in their age group.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.