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The boys side is a whole different matter. It is much more competitive and the boys frankly just have more foot skills. I would love to hear what one of their parents perspective is.
I think in the next year or so we will be able to judge more accurately whether the academy system of development is going to work.



As the parent and coach of boys at this level, I have a few observations. Smaller sided games are definetely better than 11 v 11. Players don't get pigeonholed into positions as easily and they get more time on the ball. I have a point of comparison, since our local Y league plays 10 v 10 at the 8-9 level.

I like 8 v 8. I am somewhat ambivalent about 6 v 6. It seems to work well for u9s, as long as they are on an appropriately sized field. This is a big issue, because some clubs wind up using the same fields for u9-u11. 6 v 6 does not work if the kids are playing on too large of a field (more than 50 yds long), because it just ends up favoring the faster players and deemphasizes the skill we are supposedly promoting.

Also, by the time the kids are at u10, they are ready to play a passing game, which is very hard to do with 6 v 6. Most teams will play a 2 - 1 - 2 or a 3-2 format, and 6 v 6 really does lend itself to a punt it over the top style with little combination play. My older son played under the old 8 v 8 format with his u10 team, and in my opinion it was a better format. So I guess I like small sided games, but not too small.

USYSA, in my opinion, wants to go too far. As I understand it, they eventually want 3 v 3 or 4 v 4 with no goalkeepers until around u10. I believe these games are great, but not a good replacement for the larger game.