What Are the Benefits of Mini Soccer?

Mini soccer is essentially a scaled-down version of the full-size game which is ideal for introducing children to the sport. In England, the Football Association (FA) encourages its use for all players under the age of 10, and calls it “the most appropriate and fun introduction to football.”

  1. Age Appropriate

    • The FA has developed laws and regulations for mini soccer which make it appropriate to the ages of the players involved. For example, under-8s play on a smaller field, with a smaller ball, and cannot play in teams larger than seven-a-side. The maximum team size for under-9s and under-10s is also seven-a-side, but they can play on a larger field with a larger ball.

    Simplified Rules

    • The FA’s laws for mini soccer are adapted from those governing full-size soccer but remove some of the more complicated rules, including the concept of “offside.” The adaptations recognize that children cannot be expected to perform like adults, but from the child’s point of view it still feels like playing “real” soccer. By playing mini soccer, children can develop an understanding of how to play the sport which can be further developed in the future. They also learn how to respect the decisions of a referee in addition to the standard of behavior expected from them as players.

    Fun And Participation

    • The idea of mini soccer is to keep the sport fun and encourage all players to get involved in the game. The smaller teams mean that each player has more opportunities to touch the ball, helping to develop their dribbling, passing and receiving skills while keeping them interested in what’s going on. Whatever their ability, each child feels like an active part of the team. Keeping children interested is key to encouraging them to take part in sport and increase their physical fitness.