9 a side football petition

[bridge2far]

Hi folks, looking for some support on a petition that has just been started to persuade the SYFA to introduce 9 a side football to bridge the big gap between 7's and 11's. Here are the details on how to get involved, please spread the word for the sake of kids out there, happy to discuss the merits also

See us on twitter and facebook at timetoplay9s and online petition at petitions24.com/timetoplay9s, let me know if you want a paper petition, cheers

[Booker-T]

What are the benefits mate?

[bridge2far]

What are the benefits mate?

The SYFA do not currently feel that there is an appetite for 9 a side football despite other UK football associations putting it in place as well as other associations around the word. The only way we can persuade the SYFA to implement this format is to give them evidence that there is that appetitie in Scotland for 9 a side football. Evidence provided by hundreds of players, coaches and supporters so far suggest that the last year of soccer sevens is not working for a variety of reasons. Childrens development is being stifled as the pitch is too small for them in the last year of soccer 7s as well as the game time being too short. These children are then having to make the progression to a format they are not familiar with that is competitive, with 8 more players involved on a pitch that is up to three times the size and with twenty minutes more game time in a match. The 9 a side format would allow players, coaches and supporters to get used to the 11 a side format in a non competitive environment, with 30 minutes each way on a pitch measuring between 70 x 40 yards to 80 x 50 yards. Feedback received is that teams are stockpiling players early before 11 a sides for fear of not being able to recruit players when 11 a sides start, this results in several players not playing weekly due to the 'ten players stripped rule', players are also leaving football completely or moving up an age bracket to avoid boredom and being stifled progression wise. Feedback received suggests that soccer sevens teams are not merging together as much to make one 11 a side team for various reasons, and when they do often between 5/6 players are cast aside, 9 a sides would allow teams to make the natural progrssion to 11 a sides recruiting a couple of players every year or so

[the jambo-rocker]

Signed

[bridge2far]

Signed

Thanks mate, there is some good support for this in your neck of the woods, keep passing the word on. I was informed by the SYFA on Friday that after an internal consultation they are looking at this issue in June. I dont know if us putting pressure to bear has made any difference, I spoke to them three weeks ago on this issue and stated the case, but it really was like banging your head against a wall, very frustrating. The SFA development leagues are apprently trying out 9s to see if it works, but TBH that isnt good enough for us, we know it will work and are not prepared to wait around for them to finally decide if it is worth doing or not, so the petition continues apace, cheers

[Wilky1878]

The SYFA do not currently feel that there is an appetite for 9 a side football despite other UK football associations putting it in place as well as other associations around the word. The only way we can persuade the SYFA to implement this format is to give them evidence that there is that appetitie in Scotland for 9 a side football. Evidence provided by hundreds of players, coaches and supporters so far suggest that the last year of soccer sevens is not working for a variety of reasons. Childrens development is being stifled as the pitch is too small for them in the last year of soccer 7s as well as the game time being too short. These children are then having to make the progression to a format they are not familiar with that is competitive, with 8 more players involved on a pitch that is up to three times the size and with twenty minutes more game time in a match. The 9 a side format would allow players, coaches and supporters to get used to the 11 a side format in a non competitive environment, with 30 minutes each way on a pitch measuring between 70 x 40 yards to 80 x 50 yards. Feedback received is that teams are stockpiling players early before 11 a sides for fear of not being able to recruit players when 11 a sides start, this results in several players not playing weekly due to the 'ten players stripped rule', players are also leaving football completely or moving up an age bracket to avoid boredom and being stifled progression wise. Feedback received suggests that soccer sevens teams are not merging together as much to make one 11 a side team for various reasons, and when they do often between 5/6 players are cast aside, 9 a sides would allow teams to make the natural progrssion to 11 a sides recruiting a couple of players every year or so

How would this work? I think it's a good idea but will the games at 9 a side be competitive? What age will they transfer from 7's to 9's? Will offsides be introduced? I do think this is a good idea but could you clarify some rules

[bridge2far]

How would this work? I think it's a good idea but will the games at 9 a side be competitive? What age will they transfer from 7's to 9's? Will offsides be introduced? I do think this is a good idea but could you clarify some rules

Traditionally in Scotland they go to soccer 7s in March (when children are typically in primary four) so for instance in March just gone the 2005 age group just started playing soccer 7s, they will play in most associations until summer and then split into leagues based on results gained from March til Summer, from then on there is no league placings or trophies but there is promoion and relegation so teams dont struggle in their respective leagues, or destroy teams either. Most associations play the no keeper kicking from hand rule, first two years the retreat rule is in place (strikers cant come into a zone until defender gets first touch or ball goes dead) and kick ins not throw ins. The first two years of soccer 7s are generally working, most people in Scotland will pretty much agree with that, giveor take a few niggly issues. It is the last year or so of soccer 7s that does not work, kids going into primary seven after summer (2003s this year) are too big for a soccer 7 pitch, keepers can easiy throw a ball half the length of a pitch or more or kick from ground too for that matter.

The kids are bigger, they need a bigger pitch. The dimensions of a soccer 7 pitch to a 11 a side pitch can be up to three times the size, teams widely report their players being lost on a 11 a side pitch for the first few months, a 9 a side league from August until May when teams can play 11s in friendlies before starting 11s proper in August would help. Kids would be able to play on pitches roughly 3/4 the size of a proper 11s pitch with two extra players on each side and 5 minutes extra play per half (30 mins e/w) Kids could also get used to team set ups more like 11s where the extra two players allows teams to play with an extra striker or defender, or more midfielders and as such be able to set up their formations more like a traditional 11 a side formation. Very importantly kids can get used to the 11 a side rules ie offsides, place kicks etc etc at 9s which would still be in a non competitive environment (ie no trophies) this takes the pressure off the need for win mentality allowing teams to get used to these rules before going into 11s proper. At present they struggle with the 11s rules and teams often adopt the long ball strategy for fear of losing goals, the precentage of touches a kid gets between 7s and 11s vastly reduces, and this is not just down to there being more players on the pitch, European and iother UK countries have identified this which is why they play 9s.

Hope this is not too long winded and answers some questions

[Wilky1878]

Traditionally in Scotland they go to soccer 7s in March (when children are typically in primary four) so for instance in March just gone the 2005 age group just started playing soccer 7s, they will play in most associations until summer and then split into leagues based on results gained from March til Summer, from then on there is no league placings or trophies but there is promoion and relegation so teams dont struggle in their respective leagues, or destroy teams either. Most associations play the no keeper kicking from hand rule, first two years the retreat rule is in place (strikers cant come into a zone until defender gets first touch or ball goes dead) and kick ins not throw ins. The first two years of soccer 7s are generally working, most people in Scotland will pretty much agree with that, giveor take a few niggly issues. It is the last year or so of soccer 7s that does not work, kids going into primary seven after summer (2003s this year) are too big for a soccer 7 pitch, keepers can easiy throw a ball half the length of a pitch or more or kick from ground too for that matter.

The kids are bigger, they need a bigger pitch. The dimensions of a soccer 7 pitch to a 11 a side pitch can be up to three times the size, teams widely report their players being lost on a 11 a side pitch for the first few months, a 9 a side league from August until May when teams can play 11s in friendlies before starting 11s proper in August would help. Kids would be able to play on pitches roughly 3/4 the size of a proper 11s pitch with two extra players on each side and 5 minutes extra play per half (30 mins e/w) Kids could also get used to team set ups more like 11s where the extra two players allows teams to play with an extra striker or defender, or more midfielders and as such be able to set up their formations more like a traditional 11 a side formation. Very importantly kids can get used to the 11 a side rules ie offsides, place kicks etc etc at 9s which would still be in a non competitive environment (ie no trophies) this takes the pressure off the need for win mentality allowing teams to get used to these rules before going into 11s proper. At present they struggle with the 11s rules and teams often adopt the long ball strategy for fear of losing goals, the precentage of touches a kid gets between 7s and 11s vastly reduces, and this is not just down to there being more players on the pitch, European and iother UK countries have identified this which is why they play 9s.

Hope this is not too long winded and answers some questions

Thanks mate helped alot I'm on my phone atm but will Defo sign it tomorrow

[bridge2far]

Thanks mate helped alot I'm on my phone atm but will Defo sign it tomorrow

Cheers for that

[Brycie73]

Signed and shared mate, great idea and makes perfect sense, I hope it gets passed

[bridge2far]

Signed and shared mate, great idea and makes perfect sense, I hope it gets passed

Thanks mate, recent communications indicate that they are considering it and trying it out with their development squads, they need to know if there is an appetite for it out there and need proof, this will give them the proof they need.

[tree house tam]

Having already done the switch from 7s to 11s , I think that although it is a massive change, the boys adapt well and enjoy it far more than they ever done at 7s . The transition period helps , where for 3 months you can play 9s or 11s in the league on an extended 7s pitch but with transition goals (near the end of the 7s season) and as many friendlies as is possible in preparation for your first full season at 11s . We found that in the first half of the U13 season a lot of teams had to iron out a few things (offside and throw ins mainly) but with decent Refs who helped the boys understand what they were doing wrong, as well as good coaching , that every player has taken this onboard and very rarely will we see a foul throw or an offside . I think the competitive side , playing for cups and leagues , has had more of an impact on some of the boys than changing from 7s to 11s .

Our team play better football at 11s , more passing play, more width , just as many goals . They do hit it long sometimes but every team will at times . I don't think your argument stacks up if I'm honest . True , there are some teething problems moving to 11s but the same problems would exist from 9s to 11s so count me out .

edit ; This was what we done in Perth league , hope I am no dropping anyone in it with the SYFA :-)

[bridge2far]

Having already done the switch from 7s to 11s , I think that although it is a massive change, the boys adapt well and enjoy it far more than they ever done at 7s . The transition period helps , where for 3 months you can play 9s or 11s in the league on an extended 7s pitch but with transition goals (near the end of the 7s season) and as many friendlies as is possible in preparation for your first full season at 11s . We found that in the first half of the U13 season a lot of teams had to iron out a few things (offside and throw ins mainly) but with decent Refs who helped the boys understand what they were doing wrong, as well as good coaching , that every player has taken this onboard and very rarely will we see a foul throw or an offside . I think the competitive side , playing for cups and leagues , has had more of an impact on some of the boys than changing from 7s to 11s .

Our team play better football at 11s , more passing play, more width , just as many goals . They do hit it long sometimes but every team will at times . I don't think your argument stacks up if I'm honest . True , there are some teething problems moving to 11s but the same problems would exist from 9s to 11s so count me out .

edit ; This was what we done in Perth league , hope I am no dropping anyone in it with the SYFA :-)

Reckon you have mate as every association in Scotland is supposed to play 7s (and only 7s) until May and then allowed to play friendlies until August when the season starts for 11s. I do think though that your example helps to prove that we need a transformation time period, the time we suggest is August until May

[tree house tam]

Reckon you have mate as every association in Scotland is supposed to play 7s (and only 7s) until May and then allowed to play friendlies until August when the season starts for 11s. I do think though that your example helps to prove that we need a transformation time period, the time we suggest is August until May

A transition period is fine yes but 9 a side just confuses the situation . Doesn't work in my eyes . Transition goals on transition sized pitch 11 a side is the way forward . Lets the boys understand shape , position etc . Just my thoughts .

[bridge2far]

A transition period is fine yes but 9 a side just confuses the situation . Doesn't work in my eyes . Transition goals on transition sized pitch 11 a side is the way forward . Lets the boys understand shape , position etc . Just my thoughts .

Feedback from other countries shows that the kids can make the transformation when its gradual, I dint understand the confusion part, by that argument they coulfd get confused with the switch from soccer 4s to fun 5s or fun 5s to soccer 7s, and a switch from 7s to 11s is a bigger switch so on that basis will they not get confused x2?? With 9s they get used to offside rules without the pressure of 11s and competitive

[ONeils40yarder]

As a coach of a 2004 team, Im pretty sceptical about this proposal, purely from a logistical point of view

We currently field 2 7-a-side teams each week and have a squad of 18 boys....if at the end of this season we were forced into 9-a-sides, we'd have to increase our squad by a minimum of 2, but more likely 4. After 1 year, we then go 11s with a squad of 22, which would result in lots of unhappy boys who would struggle to get a relevant amount of 11s gametime.

Unless Im totally missing something, I dont see what the real benefits are....its up to the coaches to coach and mentor kids in the transition between 7s and 11s and I can only see 9s as a distraction we dont need.

[tree house tam]

I'm currently helping out a younger team making the transition from 7 -11s . Having previously been through this my mate asked me to help him out .

I can truthfully say that moving to 11 a side is very easy . All we have done is shorten and narrowed a full size pitch (to compensate for some of the lads who cannot hit the ball that far) and use transition sized goals (so every shot doesn't go in). We then have games and gameplay situations , helping them understand what every player should be doing and the positions they need to take up for certain situations . They all know the rules now , it's surprising how many actually don't !!

Dunno if i was more at ease because it wasn't my team but these lads took it in their stride and are going to be some team next season .

No need for 9 a side .

[bridge2far]

I certainly take the last two views on board. I have no doubt that for some players and teams the transformation from 7s to 11s is an easy one, these though from feedback appear to often be teams and/or players who would manage to thrive in most formats, that is unfortunately not the experience of many grassroots teams and players which recent feedback from 2002 teams across the country is telling us, I have endorsements from many 2002 teams who are now playing 11s that they wish they had been given the opportunity for a year of 9s to make the transition between 7s and 11s easier. There is no vested interest there as this opportunity is gone but they have taken the time to pass on their experiences and emdorsements which we have appreciated. Clearly this format is not for everyone and I certainly agree there are teething problems on such is squad sizes. What I would say there is a number of teams are well on their way towards the transition to 11s, so foor some teams 9s would not make sense, there are certainly issues with this format is say with two sevens teams intend all the while to merge to make one 11 a side team. that though is not happening as often as people may think, for reasons such as club politics and different coach philosophies, and there are still players there put on the scrapheap even if that does happen. There are a number of clubs out there that have one 7s team for example that would jump at the chance of 9s to gradually move from 7s to 11s, clubs with two 7s teams too for that matter. 9s gives players the chance of getting used to the big 11s pitches, rules such as offsides in a non competitve manner and clubs can gradually recruit towards 11s too, as for the downsides well I have the perfect solution, what about optional 9s, that way teams in a league can then ask each opponent which format they wish to play, if one does not want to play 9s then 7s it is for that fixture. 7s goals can still be used for this format, cones used for the increased pitch size, and for those talking about increased cost for hiring an 11s park for 9s well, lets be honest guys, previous age groups making the switch are littered with illegal 11s games that were played as coaches and players sere dissatisfied with the 7s format in the u12 age group, and they would have paid for an 11s park for those games. This format is not for all, but 300 teams have already endorsed it nationwide, that is projected to rise to 500 in the next couple of weeks, and we havent even touched a number of areas in Scotland yet through time constraints and difficulty in obtaining contact details, any teams that wish to give us feedback on this proposal are very welcome, whether yes, no or unsure it will be fairly documented when passed on to the SFA

[ardeerultra]

Am i right in saying there is a 9 aside youth league in northern ireland? I think it would help some kids and is a good idea..but also feel it has been a plain sailing process in switching from 7s to 11s. We played older teams in training matches and mixed the teams, We also played against other clubs with 2 teams and played them in training games. But i understand it can be tough