The Introduction of 9v9 Football at Youth Level – Its Benefits, Weaknesses and Long Term Ramifications

Andrew Findlater discusses the implications of the introduction of 9-a-side football for youth football next season.

In September 2011, a large shift in youth football will begin. The introduction of 9v9 football at the Under 11 and Under 12 levels in many leagues nationwide is one of many changes proposed in youth football but it may well become the most significant. Other proposals, such as the removal of league tables at U9 level and a possible summer season indicate a desire to improve the structure and effectiveness of youth football. However, here we shall focus on 9v9 football, which is seen as a ‘stepping stone’ from 7v7 to 11v11. The structure of9v9 football, its benefits and weaknesses and the potential tactics will all be examined in order to really understand what these changes mean.

Whilst an ordinary 11v11 pitch is roughly 105 metres by 65 metres, 9v9 will be anywhere from 70m by 40m to 80m by 50m. This means that the pitch could be around a third smaller. In addition to this, goal sizes will come down from the senior size of 2.4m x 7.3m to 2.1m x 4.8m. This is a significant reduction in the width of the goal and a small reduction in the height of the goal. This small reduction may have a large effect on the ability of younger goalkeepers to save shots high the goal. This is clearly the intention of the change. Many of the rules of 9v9 football are the same as the full 11v11 game, including offside, throw ins and the penalty area. A maximum squad size of 18 has been established by the Football Association, however many leagues including the Surrey Youth League have established limits of 13 players to be brought to each game. The games will last 70 minutes over two halves of 35 minutes.

What do these rules and changes mean? It is hoped that the smaller pitch and player numbers will allow players to be more involved in the game. Players should spend more time on the ball on average than they would in an 11v11 game. This ought to lead to players developing greater technique and being more comfortable on the ball. It is often said that one of the greatest failures of the British youth setup is that it does not develop players who are comfortable on the ball and have the technique to keep possession under great pressure. The shift to 9v9 alone will not solve this but if it is combined with good coaching then it should produce players who are used to being on the ball. The size of the goals is also a positive development. Many at youth level have been witness to goals scored against ten year old goalkeepers that sail over their head with no chance of being saved. The smaller goals will have the double effect of giving goalkeepers a fair chance and forcing players to actually beat the goalkeeper, rather than getting their goals at a young age from hitting the ball where the goalkeeper cannot reach and struggling as the goalkeepers grow taller.

The use of 9v9 as a stepping stone has been supported by Trevor Brooking, an ex-England international and Director of Football Development at the FA. Whilst speaking to Club Website he commented that "Any skill I might have had as a player was almost there when I was 11 and I don’t see that in sufficient 11 year olds these days… If your technical skills aren’t there when you start playing 11v11, you’re never going to cope with the game." As one of the driving forces behind 9v9 Brooking hopes that the two years spent playing 9v9 will allow players to develop the technical skills required for 11v11. The change in size of the pitch will hopefully see a drastic reduction in the use of the long ball over the top to a quick striker and a greater focus on passing and moving and quality technical play.

The weaknesses with the change to 9v9 are mostly financial. Whilst County FAs are renting and selling goals at relatively cheap prices, many clubs are struggling financially during this time of austerity and the challenge of marking out specific pitches and hiring specific goals for just two age groups may be one that some clubs may struggle with. However, the costs associated with the project are relatively small and are mostly in respect to its initial set-up. Some may feel the use of a stepping stone at U11 and U12 levels is a waste of time but instead I applaud the FA and the regional leagues that have taken this project on as anything that can improve the development of players must be at least given a trial.

The introduction of 9v9 throws up some interesting challenges for the youth manager. The choice of two defenders or three could possibly be the key to success next season. A two man defence is susceptible to goals from midfield runners and could be pulled apart by clever forwards. However, the two man defence does allow another man to be placed in midfield which could hand the team control of the match. The three man defence is solid and allows cover from both flanks and the centre, but may leave the team exposed in midfield. Then there is the choice of a midfield three, four or even two.  Ultimately, it will be up to the manager and the players at his disposal. It is likely the following season will see a huge range of tactical setups which will be a nice break from the stagnation in tactics that 11v11 has seen. Where most teams settle for a 4-4-2, next season at 9v9 could see formations as diverse as 2-4-2, 3-4-1, 4-3-1 or 3-3-2. What is certain however, is that the next twelve months will see a great deal of discussion amongst youth managers and coaches over tactics and it is to be hoped that players will learn greater flexibility in this system as managers change numbers in defence, midfield and attack to adjust to the teams they play.

In conclusion, it seems that the introduction of 9v9 could be very advantageous to youth football. It has the support of parents and coaches, with some 74% of those asked on ClubWebsite.co.uk saying they would favour the introduction of 9v9 at U11 and U12 levels. It should provide a more stimulating, interesting and fair platform for youth football whilst improving the technical abilities of the players involved. I expect that 9v9 will be a great success but it could be at least three or four years before we truly know how successful it is.

The Pros and Cons of Mixed Football

Chris Galvin examines the benefits and also the problems that mixed gender youth football can produce. 

There have been arguments and differences in opinion on mixed football at the grassroots level during my seven year involvement in youth football and for many years prior to that. However it’s only now that I’m starting to have reservations to the concept, having once being an advocate. I am by no means suggesting the abolishment of boys and girls playing football together, I have simply amended my opinion in the last few years to the point where I believe it has got to the stage where a sensible judgement on the ability of the players needs to be made before allowing mixed football. I do not wish to come across as an elitist, my time in the Sunday Football environment has made me truly understand the importance of organisations that provide “football for all” and how they assist player development.

The FA has recently announced that rules regarding mixed football have been amended to the U13 age group. This rule covers girls and boys being able to play with each other in the same teams at U12 and U13 level from next season (2011-12).

I am pleased to see that the FA have allowed this age extension as it will allow female players of a high ability to play at a challenging level. It’s only logical they play with boys who are of a similar ability in order to develop their own game. For me mixed football really needs to be centred on player development and enjoyment (as should all grass roots football) I fully support the idea of girls playing alongside boys who are able to hold their own physically and be integrated into a team of boys where they are developing their skills and enjoying their football. Personally I really draw the line on mixed football for the sheer sake of it, and feel there is a genuine risk of damaging a player’s development if they are playing at a level that is beyond them, and offloading girls into boy’s team to simply make up the numbers is incredibly irresponsible. I don’t apply this concept to girls alone; I have seen many young boys who are not of the ability to cope with team sport and from my own observation don’t seem to enjoy their football, which surely is the most important thing at a young age. I have been involved in grassroots football for seven years and I have witnessed mixed football first hand seeing both the advantages and disadvantages it offers. The coaches can play a significant role in the progress of mixed football. A coach who encourages girls who are good enough to play with boys can really aid those players with their development, but those coaches who resent the idea of girls playing with boys can not only slow down players development but can also severely damage the players confidence. I would like to think that most coaches and grassroots specialists would share this view.

One of the organisations I work with strive to get all-girls teams playing in a league with boys teams, as this allows girls to become more confident playing with other girls and educates them on the physical nature of the game. This has enjoyed success as I have witnessed all-girls teams displaying signs of improvement when playing against boys. The flip side of the coin is to encourage those girls who would benefit playing with boys and finding the best way to develop the players. It is therefore become more important to further engage the managers, coaches, the players and the parents to establish whether a girl would benefit from mixed football or by playing amongst other girls. 

Does lightning strike twice for King Kenny?

Guest writer and Liverpool fan Matt Galvin contributes a special season review for GF Football.

After Liverpool’s train wreck season of 09/10 which ended in the dismissal of long serving manager Rafael Benitez, Liverpool fans thought, could it get worse? The answer to their fears was the appointment of Roy Hodgson. Many fans excluding myself were of the belief that Hodgson only had success with smaller clubs and this was too much of a step forward for him despite his close but yet so far season with Fulham. As ever, I played the fool. After joke summer signings Joe Cole, Paul Konchesky, Milan Jovanovic and Christian Poulsen were introduced to the fans, I and the rest of the Liverpool fans were fully aware we were in for another season of hardship and despair. Luckily Liverpool’s wishes of returning to the big leagues were granted when New England Sports Ventures owner John W Henry took over the club from the clueless businessmen George Gillette and Tom Hicks to save Liverpool from financial ruin. This was shortly followed by the inevitable dismissal of Roy Hodgson due to his failings as Liverpool boss.

Kenny Dalglish answered the SOS call from the board and the fans. Positive performances came out of this appointment and it lead to the signings of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, two players who are destined to become Kop favourites. Signing Suarez was a no brainer in the eyes of everyone but it took Liverpool the best part of 3 years to realise that, after signing flops such as Robbie Keane and Paul Konchesky. As this article is about Liverpool’s season preview and not about past failings, I thought it would be right to mention something on Liverpool’s potential chances of breaking back into the top four and winning some silverware. So far Liverpool has spent over £100 million since Dalglish took over and I for one believe it was crucial in order to challenge the top four. Signings such as Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson, Doni and the likely arrival of Jose Enrique today have given the fans belief that a good season is possible again. For me if the relevant purges are made and a couple more players added to squad, Liverpool Football Club will have the foundations for a potentially successful season. It is unfortunate Liverpool do not have Europe to go for this season but any honest hard working Liverpool fan would prefer Champions League football next year rather than Europa League this year.

I personally believe that Lucas is one of the first names on the team sheet for next season and with the amount of central midfield players Liverpool have in the squad, talented players such as Aquilani and Mereiles will miss out. I think we should be reverting back to the old system which had Gerrard behind the striker and the two holding midfield players behind him. I think a potentially solid starting line-up would include Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Lucas, Adam, Downing, Suarez, Gerrard and Carroll. Unfortunately Gerrard will not be available throughout the whole season due to injuries and fitness problems so it’s up to the likes of Henderson, Aquilani and Meireles to fill the void when asked upon. Another player who I would quite like to see play more games is Danny Wilson who arrived from Rangers during Roy Hodgson’s reign. I believe he is a similar player to Agger and is potentially a long term replacement for Jamie Carragher.  I think the signing of Doni will ensure that Liverpool do not get knocked out in the earlier rounds of the League Cup and the FA Cup. In past years Liverpool have gone out to inferior opposition such as Northampton and Barnsley in the early rounds of the domestic competitions but I think Doni is of the quality to keep lower sides out where back up keepers such as Charles Itandje and Brad Jones have failed to challenge Pepe Reina.

In Kenny Dalglish we trust.