Quote Originally Posted by Retired01 View Post
Wasn't it stated last season that its all about forcing the kids to get more touches on the ball and be involved? NSW Football did an audit and found kids were getting minimal touches on the bigger pitches?
Maybe the idea is that the kids cant hide or be bypassed when locked into a small area. You may find the stronger teams aren't as free flowing once a new set of skills is needed and weaker kids occupying space.
Not sure of the report you are referring to, so theres no way ill disagree.It can be looked at two ways. the smaller pitch can mean that bigger stronger faster kids just end up in an under 5's style cluster of kids competing for the ball.
One thing from watching kids go from 9's go through to the now 12's age group, is that the better teams (and therefore coaches) teach the kids how to use the space on the park, how to drag defenders to open channels and how to still be involved and contributing when they dont have the ball.Thats a really big skill for the kids and its often overlooked.The better teams in the older age groups are all playing through and around teams with the ball. players are working off the ball to create space for others and there is definitely a level of football IQ being introduced to the kids.
Any teams in those age groups booting long balls and hoping for the best are getting found out. Thats why i dont think the small side games give a good representation of the 11s and 12s when its just to grade the kids for a totally different format.