CAPITAL FOOTBALL

7 v 7 and 11 v 11 Youth Football: Game Modification

Renee TrentiniUniversity of CanberraSports Studies

Executive Summary

Modification of youth football has been introduced in an effort to accommodate for

the unique needs of young participants. As such, modified soccer games have focused

on modifying size of the field, width of goal posts, size of the ball and number of

players, among others. Advocates of the modified game believe that implementing

these variations will ultimately provide appropriate conditions to cultivate a solid skill

base whilst also providing a fun social scene necessary to keep a childs continued

interest.

The current investigation studied the two versions of soccer conducted by Capital

Football, 7 v 7 and 11 v 11, in order to document any differences between the two

varied games. The findings were:

Smaller sided games with rule modification (7v7) provided more opportunities

for touches on the ball by all players.

A small difference in passing accuracy (higher successful pass rate) was noted

in 7v7 over 11v11 games.

Greater player involvement was noted in the smaller sided games (7v7)

Introduction

Modification of football matches for youth leagues exist in an effort to help increase

skill development whilst maintaining enjoyment for younger players. Rooball, one

version of the tailored soccer game, modifies the size of the goal, the field of play, the

ball size, the length of play and field markings in order to accommodate for younger

players and their unique requirements4. Seeking to modify the rules of the traditional

football game, has been motivated by the increasing realisation that children require

specific environmental stimuli in order to cultivate, their skill base, enhance their

enjoyment and ultimately encourage them to continue their participation in football,

whatever their skill level1.

Modification of youth football games is commonly accepted as best practice for skill

development, physical fitness and subsequently increasing young players enjoyment

of the game. Previous research studying the difference between full sized and

modified games have included quantitative data documenting; distances covered,

types and frequencies of passes, and technical skills displayed and executed4,5.

Common recommendations based on the findings of these research protocols identify

modification of the traditional football game as the best format of delivery for young

children. These modifications are recommended due to the unique requirements of the

childs development physiologically, mechanically and mentally4, 5.

Whilst children may be known for their endless energy and willingness to expend this

energy, physiologically they are unable to accomplish two diverse tasks at once. That

is; acquire skill and increase physical fitness simultaneously. Physical exercise is and

will always be a component of soccer, however, motor skill experts identify the need

to acquire skill and technical ability at a young age in order to progress

developmentally with ease3. Acquisition of technique and skill during the later years

(adolescents and young adulthood) is possible, but has been shown to be limited in

progression comparatively to those with a skill base from a young age. Instead

physical fitness is easier to obtain at a later age and therefore training of physical

components of soccer (i.e. running, sprints, endurance etc), should not be the primary

focus of training at a young age.

A suggested mode of delivery for teaching younger children the technical and skill

aspects of the game follow the problem based learning (PBL) format. PBL involves

the participant to solve problems through inquiry in a context-based environment.

PBL recommendation for this group has been based upon the opinion it is best suited

to the team training environment. Incorporating PBL as one part of the training

program for younger participants has been found to enhance player development and

performance6.

Continued involvement in sport proves beneficial both for the health of the participant

and additionally provides a social outlet on the recreational level. One research

project found that participation and continued participation in soccer, among others, is

due the fun factor1. One factor that made playing fun included continued learning of

new soccer skills, pertinent to improving performance in competition6. By providing

an environment that not only challenges their skill level (PBL), but also encourages

more attempts at skills by modifying the traditional parameters (such as Rooball), can

only prove beneficial for the development of the younger player. There has been

however, a case whereby the implementation of modification has not had the desired

effect.

A sociological study followed the implementation of rule modification in training and

competition in order to improve their skill base for the later purpose of their elite

academy squad2. The downfall in the case, reportedly, was due to lack of compliance

to the modified protocol. This suggests that for implementation of modification, there

needs to be recognition for change and a commitment to adherence for the benefits of

modification to be seen.

It is therefore the intention of this study to investigate the difference in player

involvement between the two size games (7v7 and 11v11). Additionally, to

investigate the skills attempted and executed by the two different experimental groups

as a result of the differing conditions.

Methodology

Equipment

One video camera was used to record each match for the purpose of gathering

match data. A total of three cameras were used to record matches at different

locations occurring at the same time.

A television and VCR were used to view and consequently gather raw data for

further analysis.

SPSS version 11.01 for windows was used to conduct statistical analyses from

the data collected.

Subjects

Children competing in Capital Football under 10s division were videoed.

Adult/guardian consent was given prior to commencement of footage

recording. The consent allowed for video and viewing of the footage to gain

raw data sets for analysis.

Match Analysis

Seven matches in total were recorded, four 11v11 and three 7v7. Two of each

data set was eliminated due to uneven player numbers. I.e. subs in and out, or

incomplete tallying. A total of two 11v11 and one 7v7 games were included in

analysis.

The highest and lowest scoring (touches on ball) subjects data were not used

in analysis to eliminate skewing of results.

Players who played a half match were also not used in an effort to, once

again, eliminate skewing of results.

Viewing of the match on the equipment previously mentioned, every time a

player made contact with the ball their number received a tally. At the end of

the match, all tallies were added to give a final number for each player. This

was the raw data from which the analysis was based.

Additionally from the video footage successful and unsuccessful passes were

recorded. This was determined by the individual researcher following this

data. A successful pass was determined by the intent to pass in a certain

direction and the successful completion of the pass to the desired player.

Field size for 7v7 was used at 54.5m x 36.4m and 11v11 was 90m x 54.5m.

The matches videoed for analysis included both male and female player in the

under 10 division.

Each game videoed followed different teams as per competition draw.

Statistical Analyses

Statistical analyses was performed using one-way ANOVA with significance

assumed at P

Results

The data collected in the current investigation revealed 7v7 (a) completed 59.6%

successful passes and 40.4% unsuccessful passes. The mean number of successful

passes completed for the 11v11 games was 55.7% successful passes and 44.3%

unsuccessful passes (table 1.).

.

Passes 11v11 (a+b) 7v7(a)

Successful 24.5 53

Unsuccessful 19.5 36

Total 44 89

Successful % 55.7% 59.6%

Unsuccessful% 44.3% 40.4%

Table 1. Number of successful and unsuccessful passes in 7v7 and 11v11 games. 7v7 (a) Belwest

White.

Table 2. Number of successful and unsuccessful

passes in 11v11 a and b.

* (a) Marist Royal U10 (b) Majura U10.

Passes 11v11(a)* 11v11(b)*

Successful 32 17

Unsuccessful 24 15

Total 56 32

Successful% 57.1% 53.1%

Unsuccessful% 42.9% 46.9%

Table 2 outlines the two games which were used for analysis of 11v11 games. Game

11(a) completed 57.1% successful passes and 42.9% unsuccessful passes. Game 11(b)

completed 53.1% successful passes and 46.9% successful passes.

A one-way ANOVA was performed on the three data groups and found the total

number of touches on the ball for 7v7 proved to be statistically significant (p

Discussion

The purpose of the current investigation was to identify any differences in player

involvement between 7v7 and 11v11 game in relation to skill sets, and if these

differences may prove either beneficial or detrimental to the continued improvement

of the skill set of young football participants. Observation and research data show an

increased number of touches on the ball in the 7 v 7 games compared to the 11 v 11

game. The comparison between 11v11 (a) and 11v11 (b) show a 4% difference

between successful and unsuccessful percentages respectively. This variance may be

safely assumed due to team and player technique and level of play. When the two

11v11 games are compared collectively (mean) or individually to the 7v7 game, there

is still a noticeable difference. The 7v7 game scores show a higher number of

successful touches and fewer unsuccessful touches. Statistical analyses show these

increased number of touches to be statistically significant (p< 0.013). Previous

research reporting on the difference in touches between 7v7 and 11v11 have found the

same results4, concluding the 7v7 games allowed for more touches on the ball

compared to 11v11 games which is thought to be due to the decreased number of

players on the field.

The increased number of touches found in the present research is thought to strongly

promote increased skill development. Previous research supports the practice of

modified smaller games, which purports to increase skill development through greater

exposure to the skill in practice5. Theoretically, the more touches on the ball the

player has, the greater their involvement in the game. With an increase in game

involvement, there is a need (or demand) to keep attempting technical skills, more

often, in an effort to meet the demands of the game. With continuous attempts to

control the ball, the player is exposed to more technical attempts, and thus should

improve their skill base. The result from the current study does not show a marked

increase in accuracy with the higher percentage of touches. The results for the 7v7

games were 59.6% (successful) and 40.4% (unsuccessful) in comparison to the two

11v11 games 57.1% and 53.1% success rate (respectively for game 1 and 2) and

unsuccessful passes at 42.9% and 46.9% respectively.

One possible explanation for this finding may be due to the previous limited exposure

to smaller sided games during practice and competition. Although testing was

conducted on both 7v7 and 11v11 games, the usual competition and training mode is

11v11. The difference in success rate between 7v7 and 11v11 may then be seen as

testament to the positive impact that modified and smaller sided games may have on

the younger players skills. One possible projection of these results may conclude that

with continued use of game modification, the improvement already seen in the

success rate of passes in the 7v7 game may continue to improve the younger

participants skill set.

Does this mean, then, that physical fitness should not be included in the young

participants soccer training from a young age? Research shows that children

participating in both full sized and modified games of soccer cover the same

distances. Distance covered spent jogging for a full sized game was 3804m compared

to 4404m, and similarly with sprinting; a full sized game 730m and 765m

respectively4, 5. Physically exerting exercise has been shown to be a common

component of soccer irrespective of the delivery format; full sized or modified game.

It was not within the scope of the current research to investigate this aspect of the

modified game, but through observation, and noting the increased amount of touches

on the ball, it may be reasonably surmised that the same amount of distance (if not

more) was covered during the modified game.

Finally, the results from the current investigation, it is suggested that rule

modification be implemented for younger players to provide optimal conditions for

skill development. The findings from this study also give rise to further questions. Do

more touches on the ball equate with greater success in skill execution? What is the

perceived level of enjoyment for the two different protocols (modified and full size)?

And, if there is an increase of enjoyment, will this then affect the rate of player loss?

It is suggested that further research is required in order to answer these questions.

Findings

1. Smaller sided games with rule modification (7v7) provided more opportunities

for touches on the ball by all players.

2. A small difference in passing accuracy (higher successful pass rate) was noted

in 7v7 over 11v11 games.

3. Greater player involvement was noted in the smaller sided games (7v7)

Recommendations

1. Modify games for practice and competition as a means to improve skill base

of younger players.

2. Further research to be conducted to determine if increase touches on the ball

lead to improvement in skill and technique base.

3. Possible further investigation to determine players perceived level of

enjoyment.

Reference List

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Journal. 48:13-18

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Youth Sport Program: Lessons from Hotellings Location Game.

Sociology of Sport Journal.15:326-342,1998

3. Goodway, J.D. Influence of a motor skill intervention on fundamental

motor skill development of disadvantaged preschool children.

Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport.74:36-46,2003

4. Grant, A., Williams, M., and Scott, J. Technical demands of 7 v 7 and

11 v 11 Youth Football Matches. Insight - The F.A Coaches

Association Journal. 3:26-27,1999

5. Grant, A., Williams, M., Dodd, R., and Scott, J. Insight - The F.A

Coaches Association Journal. 2:29-30,1999

6. Hubbal, H. Development and Evaluation of a Youth Soccer Academy

Program: Learning-Centred Approaches to Team and Player

Development. 2nd International Conference: Teaching Sport and

Physical Education for Understanding. Melbourne, Victoria, p.67,

2003

7. Winker,W. Motor Skills and Cognitive Training for Junior Soccer

Players. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport. 1:91-

105, 2001