Small Sided Games
Before We Start.......
Remember why girls play sport:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
To have fun
To improve their skills
To learn new skills
To be with their friends
To make new friends
To succeed or win
To get fit
Sport offers kids an arena where they can earn attention and
respect by exerting their natural abilities
Excellent technical players may not
necessarily be skilful because they do not
know when and where to use their
technique in the context of game
situations
Turner and Martiner 1999
Traditional Model
• Skills taught in isolation
• Focus on drills (require little or no
decision making)
• Presumption of ‘perfect technique’
• 15 a side games played on adult size
pitches
“I am watching an U.10 B girls game. 15 a side and 8 subs. My
daughter is here and they have no space. They are crowding around
the ball which is not their fault and not all girls are getting to play.
Can you do anything to change this?”
Need for a Different Approach
• Relationship between a player and the
situation around them is not static – it is
dynamic
• Skills need to emerge in and around
game situations
• Adaptability, anticipation and decision
making are important characteristics of
success in Gaelic games
Match
Match
Analysis
Analysis
Match
Analysis
Match
Analysis
Seen
all
this
before….
Passing
Scoring
Catching
Attempts
Perceived
Competence
Enjoyment
15
15 a-side
a-side
20
17
Heart
Rate
7 a-side
24
7 a-side
Number
Number
Total Number
Total
Number
TotalNumber
50 19
60
16
15 20
a-side
40
50
16 18
40
30
12 15
30 17
20
8
20
10 16
4
10 14
3
55
41
19
7 a-side
31
21
8
31
37
000 15Total
17
21
17 5
21
3
Total
Total 1
13
Time
0
Hand
2
Chest
Pass
13
3
11
0
0
Foot
3 Low 4
Pass
3
3
2
1
50
Punt
5
High
Pass
1
0
0
6
7-a-side
7-a-side
7-a-side
15-a-side
15-a-side
15-a-side
Player
Time
GAA Solution
Forget about Go Games…
What will work for LGFA??
Case Study: Dublin
Why now?
• 95% clubs participating at U.10 want to know more about small
sided games for the 2011/2012 season
• Alignment with Strategic Plan
• Open to change & listen to their clubs
Total no. of teams participating at U9 up to U12:
Age No. of Teams
U9
30
U10
54
U11
33
U12
49
No. of players
794
720
712
736
Structure of games
Small sided
9 aside
15 aside
15 aside
Clubs want to keep small sided structure
having been involved in it so what next?
Dublin Process
1. Short information talk at county board meeting
2. Hand out provided for reps to discuss in their
clubs
3. Consultation evening held for all club mentors
of those age levels
4. Vote taken at AGM
Clubs voted to bring in small sided games
up to and including under 12 – Under 12
to be developed further in 2013
Now…..
Age
U9
U10
U11
U12
•
•
•
•
Structure 2011
Small sided
9 aside
15 a side
15 a side
Structure 2012
Small sided
9 a side
11 a side
15 a side
All non competitive
All unlimited substitutes
All smaller pitch varying depending on age
All limited hop and solo – skill based
Reason for Change
• Full understanding of small sided games
• Understanding of best practice of games
structures for our juvenile players
• Ensure enjoyment for all players
• Educating clubs to assist them in making
informed decisions on proposing games
structures for 2011/2012
The Views
• Video of small sided games
Currently…
Conclusion
• Non competitive sport offers girls a chance to learn new
skills in an environment that promotes development
more than competition.
• As long as the child has full support and interest, she’ll
come out a winner.
• Non competitive sports do offer competition, in some
form.
• Small sided games ensure development for all at their
own pace.
Remember the Child!
“I don’t care if we lose 100-1. If my team goes out there and plays hard,
plays fair, and has FUN. We are winners!”
(Ben Eaton)
“Kids don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you
care.”