PGSC: Coaches Info

The Basics of 3v3/4v4

The priority in 3v3 / 4v4 is to motivate youngsters in an enjoyable environment that is conducive to learning. The more pleasure kids derive from their participation the more they wish to play and practice on their own. While the instinct to play is natural, their affection and appreciation for soccer must be cultivated.  The 3v3 / 4v4 game develops:

• The mental, physical, and social characteristics representative of these age groups.
• Players touching the one toy on the field frequently; the ball.
• Opportunities for players to score goals.
• Player possession of the ball as a productive and rewarding part of the game.
• Active participation and minimizes inactivity and boredom.
• The philosophy of player development expressed in state and national coaching schools.
• The game to be the teacher.

Why No Goalkeeper?

Goalkeeping, as it relates to the adult version of soccer, requires a combination of motor skills, athletic talent and decision-making. A goalkeeper is not utilized in the 3v3 / 4v4 game because:

• Goalkeepers must be field players first. Prior to specializing as goalkeepers, children must learn the broad parameters of “play”. This is difficult to do when they hide beneath the crossbar and between the posts.
• Goalkeepers must possess field-playing skill. This is particularly true since the laws governing the 11 a side game have been changed to prohibit the goalkeeper from using handling skills to receive balls passed by teammates.
• Psychological maturity is necessary in order to function as a goalkeeper.
• The peripheral vision and hand eye coordination at these ages is usually not developed to the point necessary to play goalkeeper.

Why 3v3 / 4v4?

Teaching soccer to children requires that the information provided to them be appropriate for their maturity level through some means (THE GAME) that makes sense to them. The environment for play must, essentially, meet the needs of the player.  Reducing the number of players to 4 (or 3) per team allows for all the components of the game of soccer:

• The ball
• Teammates & opponents
• Realistic pressure
• Appropriate pressure
• Modified Rules
• Direction of play (attacking & defending)
• The combination of length and width in the game

What is developed?

• Skill that is realistic in relationship to the game of soccer
• Motor ability: balance, agility and coordination
• Perception: insight and awareness
• Vision
• Problem solving: choices and decisions
• Physical fitness
• Psychological domain: fun and enjoyable
• Learning by discovering, trial and error: playing!