THE SOCCER 4 KIDS 4v4 FORMAT & PHILOSOPHY More ball contact, more development & more fun!
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Soccer 4 Kids have implemented 4v4 soccer into our coaching programme, as we believe that this format and philosophy will take youth development at grass roots to a higher level. We feel that the 4v4 system helps to accelerate development of technical ability and game intelligence.
Based on the central ideas behind Dutch Vision, 4v4 is a coaching system dramatically different from most other systems. Created by the Dutch Football Association its success is evident in the number of world class players produced by such a small country. Our ethos is to develop individual players and not teams and we believe that players can develop and master the all important 1v1 skills in a game situation by playing the different formats of 4v4 games during every coaching session. One of the formats sees the introduction of keepers to give the players the opportunity to practice their shooting skills too!! |
| So why teach 4v4?
4v4 is the smallest sided game you can have that has all the elements of a real football match without any of the confusions that surround learning football. 4v4 provides the minimum numbers needed for all of the parts that make up a football game. One player is up top for penetration. Two are needed for width and one holds back to supply depth. In 4v4 the responsibilities are very clear. All tasks are covered and none are shared which keeps things simple. All players rotate positions throughout so that they develop all areas of their game and not just get labelled as a defender or forward, this should come much later in their lives! |
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What do the players learn
You are improving young players’ technique through a far greater number of ball contacts. The emphasis on control, passing, dribbling and shooting gives the fundamental building blocks of football. And its fun for all the players, they are all involved, they attack and defend. The number of passes is increased and therefore the one touch control, one touch pass, sequence is used more of the time. The opportunities to dribble and use skills to beat an opponent in a 1v1 situation are also increased. It is also a good indicator of players’ fitness because they are constantly running and playing the game. It is football learning at its best, fun, creating match situations and therefore a learning environment. |
| The benefits of 4v4
• It is a very flexible format, pitches can be marked out with cones and you can have as many different 4v4 games as you have kids. • Everyone plays • Many touches of the ball • The different types of 4v4 games bring out different skills • Many opportunities for everyone to score goals • Lots of problem solving opportunities without coaches talking you through the game • Kids are not just a defender or an attacker but a soccer player and have a much better all round understanding of the game |
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