Bear Creek Soccer Club

Small Sided Soccer

In late 2002 the United States Youth Soccer Association made the decision to change its rules for small sided soccer games.  Our governing state association (STYSA) has decided to implement the small sided changes as follows:

• U5 and U6 play 3v3 games in Fall of 2004
• U7 and U8 play 4v4 games in Fall 2005
• U9 and U10 play 6v6 games in Fall 2007
• U11  play 8 v 8 games in Fall of 2007

Starting in the fall of 2004 BCSC will implement the new small-sided game format for our U5, U6 and U7 players.  Our U5 and U6 teams will be playing 3v3, which is following the STYSA schedule.

Our U7 teams will be playing the 4v4 format, which is a year ahead of the STYSA schedule.  BCSC decided to change the U7 games to 4v4 in the fall of 2004 rather than the fall of 2005 to keep them from having to change formats the next year.

Small sided soccer is one of the changes being implemented by the United States Youth Soccer Association to enhance the development of our young soccer players.  Small sided games will maximize playing time, increase each players chance to touch the ball, provide  healthy competition at all levels and make soccer an enjoyable experience for all who participate.

Here is our current plan for switching the different age groups to the small sided format.