28/01/2022
PLEASE SEE THE LATEST UPDATE ON THE SMALL SIDED GAMES FROM THE SYFA BOARD
The new small-sided game season will commence again in March, until November 2022, and there are a number of updates to be shared prior to their start date.
The Scottish Youth FA, Scottish FA and Scottish Women’s Football support the small-sided game for children to enable them all to develop but more importantly to have fun in a safe and friendly environment. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that we create the best possible environment for children, and remember that they are there to enjoy the game in a relaxed atmosphere; not to be shouted at or have the fun taken out of the sport.
We are requesting that this year these 5 key rules are followed to help make the game as child-centred as possible:
All parents, carers and other spectators must stay 2m back from the pitch and if possible, this should be done via a marked off area/zone
No parent or carer should attempt to enter the field of play
All parents and carers must ensure that they are following their own club’s code of conduct
There should be no negative shouting from the side lines- spectators should always encourage all participants
Let the children play the game, making sure we encourage before/after the game - during play let the grassroots volunteers deal with the game
Equal Playing Time
Please remember that all team members should receive equal playing time and the rotation of players in different positions on the pitch.
Heading the Ball
A reminder that in the children’s game, it is advised that there is no heading practice at training, and heading within the game environment is reduced.
Please use this guidance as a point of reference https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football-development/participation/childrens-youth-football/heading/
2022 Playing Formats
The following are updates on the Playing Formats for 2022:
The Grassroots APP is being updated and will be ready for use by early February, which will have all the updated playing formats
The Scottish FA will arrange small sided games pathway workshops to attend, which will equate to CCD (Continuous Coach Development which extends validity of coaches’ qualifications)
Teams cannot play larger games formats that sit above their own age banding, but can choose to play smaller game formats (i.e. 2014s may not play 7 v 7 but may opt to continue some 4 v 4 activity).
The below table gives the updated ages and formats
Scottish Youth FA
Age Band
Game Format
2016
4v4 & Multi Game Format
2015
4v4
2014
5v5
2013
7v7
2012
7v7
2011
7v7 (then 9v9 in August 2022
2010
9v9 (then 11s in August 2022)*
*Transition to 11s for 2010 age band, will follow this format
All coaches must attend a mandatory 11v11 transition workshop
Teams are only able to arrange friendly 11v11 games via their leagues’ permit process after the 20th May; and only if the 11s pathway workshop has been attended
Teams must continue to participate in their own league’s scheduled 9v9 fixtures
The following guidelines for heading in training and matches should be applied to the game across the various ages and stages as outlined below.
