IOWA SOCCER ASSOCIATION

RESOURCES for Coaches of All Abilities and Experience-Levels

Iowa Soccer Association Recreational Coaches Manuals Available Now!	U06/08 Coaches Manual (.pdf)
	U10/12 Coaches Manual (.pdf)

SMALL-SIDED GAMES :
What are they & why isn't the team playing 11 vs 11?

From the Under 06 through the Under 12 age groups, Iowa teams play "small-sided" soccer. While soccer is a game of 11 versus 11, the Iowa Soccer Association shares in US Youth Soccer's and US Soccer's positions that at the younger age levels, playing 3v3 up to 8v8 is the best way to facilitate a more engaging and fun experience that better develops youth players and their love of the game.

• Iowa Soccer Association's Player Development Philsophy

• Download and print FREE Guidebook to Small-sided Games for U06, U08, U10 and U12 from US Youth Soccer

• See where else in the world they play small-sided soccer...click here for a survey done by US Youth Soccer!

Iowa Soccer Association State Director of Coaching

For further information about coaching resources, clinics, and/or youth soccer in Iowa, contact:

Ian Bradley, State Director of Coaching
ibradley@iowasoccer.org
800/386-4692 or local 515/252-6363

SUMMARY of SMALL-SIDED SOCCER: Forms of the game, by age group Recommended field, goal and ball sizes
	Under 06
	•	3 versus 3, NO goalkeeper
	•	field size is between 15-25 yards wide by 20-30 yards long
	•	goal size is 18 feet wide by 6 feet high
	•	ball size is Number 3
	• Download and print FREE Guidebook to Small-sided Games for U06, U08, U10 and U12 from US Youth Soccer
	Under 08
	•	4 versus 4, NO goalkeeper
	•	field size is between 20-30 yards wide by 25-35 yards long
	•	goal size is 18 feet wide by 6 feet high
	•	ball size is Number 3
	• Download and print FREE Guidebook to Small-sided Games for U06, U08, U10 and U12 from US Youth Soccer
	Under 10
	•	6 versus 6 (5 field players plus 1 goalkeeper)
	•	field size is between 35-45 yards wide by 45-60 yards long
	•	goal size is 18 feet wide by 6 feet high
	•	ball size is Number 4
	• Download and print FREE Guidebook to Small-sided Games for U06, U08, U10 and U12 from US Youth Soccer
	Under 12
	•	8 versus 8 (7 field players, plus 1 goalkeeper)
	•	field size is between 45-55 yards wide by 70-80 yards long
	•	goal size is 21 feet wide by 7 feet high
	•	ball size is Number 4
	• Download and print FREE Guidebook to Small-sided Games for U06, U08, U10 and U12 from US Youth Soccer

US Soccer: "Best Practices for Coaching Soccer in the US" **FREE**

U.S. Soccer’s Coaching Education Department has released a new publication designed to give youth and junior level soccer coaches in the United States a set of fundamental tools to help open up the game of soccer to young players in ways that celebrate the sport’s spontaneous qualities. The 70-page coaching book serves as the sport’s definitive new player development guidelines and is available now as a free download, or for purchase as a professionally-bound copy.

Download Document

Order Bound Copy ($15) from US Soccer

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