Dear Coach,

In newsletter 146 I asked the question: why do we in the UK make ten-year-olds play 11-a-side on a football pitch designed for adults?

I suggested that 11-a-side slowed the development of skills and the early transition to 'proper' soccer even resulted in children giving up the game altogether.

I also quoted the English FA as saying:

"Eleven-a-side association football does not meet [the needs of children]... All available research...shows that children will have more fun and learn more playing a game with smaller teams and modified rules. Mini soccer is, therefore, a game children can actually play rather than struggling to understand a game created for adults."

Just for the record, England is one of a very small group of nations (soccer giants Canada, Belgium and New Zealand are other members) that encourage eleven year old children to play 11-a-side.

Spain - the World and European champions - don't allow children to play adult soccer until they are U15.

What about Brazil? 

"I think the best way to improve your skills is to play soccer on a smaller pitch. I didn't play 11-a-side until I was 13...That is why Brazil always produces players with great skill. The amount of space in 11-a-side is not good for young kids. You spend too much time running around without the ball." Juninho

I asked you to write in with your comments and this is a sample of the many emails I received on the subject:

"Why do we make kids play on adult pitches? For the same reason why England will never win the World Cup, it's the FA.

The only way it will ever change is if the "people" reclaim the game. A first step would be to tell the FA to...set up 7-a-side and futbol de salao leagues for kids.

Will it happen? Probably not, seems everybody has already forgotten our national humiliation in South Africa. Can hardly wait for the 2012 Euros when the core of the team will all be over 30!" Mark

________

"Instead of the massive transition from 7-a-side to 11-a-side at U11 [our league have] introduced 9-a-side with slightly bigger goals to prepare them for 11 a side.

This makes total sense and surely should be standardised throughout the UK?

It would certainly have my vote!" Darin

_________

"This subject is close to my heart and one of the reasons I will pulling away from kids football (currently U10) at the end of the season.

We wouldn't expect a ten year old player to perform in an adult size kit and size 11 boots so why do we ask them to play on adult size pitches?

For technical reasons, I believe they should stay at 7 a side until U13, when they could move to 9 a side on a 75% pitch and leave 11-a-side until they are U15 or U16." Paul

_________

However, some people don't think there is a problem:

"Surely there has to be a point at which children upgrade to an 11-a-side pitch?  So what time is right then?  U11? U12? U13?  Why should U13 be any better than U11? 

I think there is no right or wrong time. But, ultimately it needs to be some time.  I really don't think that playing U11s on a small sided pitch is going to do them any good.  I played on full sized pitches when I was eleven and it never did me any harm!" Jamie

Many thanks to all of you who wrote in.

This debate is sure to rumble on but for me, the way forward seems clear: children should play small sided soccer until they are are at least twelve years old. But will the English FA grasp the nettle and instruct leagues accordingly? 

Watch this space!

Yours in football,

Steve Watson, Editor