The trend in U.S. Soccer over the past couple of years has been to go to Small Sided Games (SSG) for youth soccer. Clubs in Europe have adopted this style of play many years ago and the results have been very favorable in respect to individual players skills improving tremendously.

The Louisiana Soccer Association (LSA) has adopted this format a few years ago and has gradually phased it in. The St. Charles Soccer Board of Directors have taken the position of agreeing with all of the benefits of this format and have adopted SSG's. Last year we implemented SSG into our U7 league and will go to this format this year in our U8, U10 & U13 leagues.

This new format puts a lot of stress on the few volunteers we have working in our club. Some problems that we are experiencing now include: creating smaller fields, installing new smaller goals, and an increased need for referees. The most important problem SSG's has put on us has been the need for more volunteer coaches. The SSG format puts fewer players on the field thus roster sizes must be reduced to allow more playing time for all.

All of our REC+ teams, U11 and under, must play the SSG format in order to compete against other clubs within the LSA. Next year the U12 teams will go to the SSG format.

Change is always a difficult thing to accept, but if the outcome creates a better soccer player then the change, and the pain that goes along with it, will be worth it. Please read the material posted on our web site for a more detailed explanation of the benefits of SSG's.

Below are links and documents for all information about the St. Charles Parish Small Sided Games:

St. Charles Small Sided Games U6 to U12
AYSA Small Side Games
Why Small-Sided Games?

Small Sided Games - Modified Rules and Regulations

Modified Rules U5 - U6
Modified Rules U7 - U8
Modified Rules U9 - U10
Modified Rules U11-U12
Small Sided Games Questions