Last year Football Canterbury clubs voted overwhelmingly to move U12s to small sided football in the 2023 season.
This means that U12 matches will be half-field games, players will use age-appropriate goal sizes, and Game Leaders will be appointed instead of referees.
This format was trialed in the 2022 Representative League with huge success and positive feedback.
VIEW U12 RULES & HINTS
The move to small sided football is a move forward for the development, enjoyment, and retention of players in this age group and follows the successful transition already made by Football Australia, Football NSW, and many football associations.
As well as the success in Australia, small sided football is endorsed throughout Brazil, Argentina, Japan, England, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Germany, France, Korea, and USA.
A significant amount of research has been conducted which highlights that small sided football has a proven positive developmental impact on younger football players due to:
- More touches on the ball
- More shots on goal
- More opportunities to make decisions
- More freedom of expression
- More actual play
This all leads to improved quality of play, self-esteem, and player retention compared to the U12 format on a full-sized pitch (which is essentially cross-country with a football).
The full size field and full size goal has proven to be disproportionate for U12 players and detrimental to their development as players.
The full range of benefits of the added technical learning over the formative playing years are even more evident after puberty as players move into adult and youth teams.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW U12 & MINIROOS FIELD FORMATS
