9v9 vs 11v11

Can someone please explain to me this age group is playing 11v11 this spring and next year. All the research shows that this is not good for development. I haven't spoken to coach who thinks this is a good idea. Someone smarter than me please help me out. The only reason I can think of is that it requires a bigger roster hence more money for coach and club.

I am not a coach and dont claim to be but I certainly think it depends on the players/team. The idea is less kids on the pitch the more touches they will get. If a Team plays tons of soccer I guess you could argue they get the touches. Time will tell if this works or not.

I am really curious to hear the reasoning as well! Albeit our team would be capable to compete, I am more concerned with my dd's development and not rushing into something unnecessary just for the "win" or bragging rights!

I thought I read something about the 03's not wanting any 04's playing up to help with their rankings going into qualifying but that could be off the mark!

Insight, please??

A lot of these girls are also playing tons of 3v3 so I think that averages out to ~7v7.

11 v. 11 is great because the girls get to run a lot, rarely touch the ball and there are more players to pack the box with to keep the other team from scoring; a real Chelsea like strategy.

11 v 11 also lets them play on fields that are so big it takes them a week to run the whole length and goals are so high that any kick above the keepers head is usually a goal. Even if it is a lob that any keeper a foot taller could save.


If this is all about getting in top shape, learning to play without touching the ball and packing the box, then 11 is great.

I think they should play 11 v 11 starting at U6 so the kids can really get used to it.

normally I am a proponent of 9v9 for as long as possible (more touches argument). I did watch our team in the arlington laborday tournament and was surprised. It was not what i expected. Instead of running more the girls used the space to spread out and pass even better. They won without giving a goal up and it was because they kept so much of the ball. However we played another tournament later and the field swallowed the girls and they just ran harder. I don't know if it was the girls missin or what it was but it was what I normally expect from early 11v11 and it was not good at all. So I guess it really depends on how the girls decide to play whether it will be a productive season or not. So if you are an athletic, aggressive team it makes you run more. If you are a passing team it gives you extra space and 2 extra bodies to help move the ball. But this is NTX and if you play 9v9 too long you will find yourself with nobody to play

It's because there are academy teams that have 16-25 players. With academy teams that large, the 04 coaches have to either break them into 2 squads or play in a bigger format to get everyone a reasonable amount of time on the field. Breaking them into 2 squads makes for extra work for the coaching staff. It also opens the team up for a lot of political fragmenting and back-biting.

It's a complete money grab that we, the parents, insist on paying for. The 04 coaches don't want to turn kids away because their squads are already overwhelmed with players. But those are the squads our DDs JUST HAVE TO BE ON!!!!

These leagues are just responding to that new demand in the market.

Argyle wrote:Can someone please explain to me this age group is playing 11v11 this spring and next year. All the research shows that this is not good for development. I haven't spoken to coach who thinks this is a good idea. Someone smarter than me please help me out. The only reason I can think of is that it requires a bigger roster hence more money for coach and club.

You hit the nail on the head. If you want to know why things are done the way they are in youth soccer, just follow the money.