At its April, 2002 meeting the BOD (Board of Directors) voted to overhaul the structure of its Intramural Program. The BOD decided to make a bold and significant move to age appropriate small-sided games to significantly upgrade our Intramural Program.

The BOD carefully looked at the proposed national guidelines for youth soccer from the national and state coaching staffs, and decided to be one of the country's leaders in intramural youth soccer programming.

At the national and state level, coaches and administrators alike have seen the tremendous efficacy of small-sided play for practice and games in youth soccer both in the United States and abroad. The coaches have also seen the great rise in player creativity and enjoyment when switching to small-sided play. After all, if the players can't have fun, why play? These coaches have also seen that a move to noncompetitive play for the youngest ages has also been extremely advantageous for those players. The Fairmount BOD has decided to adapt these guidelines to our Intramural program as much as possible.

In addition to the restructuring explained above, the Fairmount BOD approved the following in conjunction with the restructuring:

1. Fairmount Soccer will provide free training in the appropriate courses for its coaches.
2. Parents shall be vigorously encouraged to attend a Fairmount Training Session to explain small-side play; how it works, why we're using them, what are the rules, and what is expected of Fairmount Soccer parents.

Our new Intramural structure will require more volunteers and parental participation which we think is very positive for the players. Please volunteer today to help your children.

Small-Sided Soccer Rationale

1. Because we want our young players to touch the ball more often and become more skillful with it!
2. Because we want our young players to make more, less-complicated decisions during the game!
3. Because we want our young players to be more physically efficient in the field space they are playing in!
4. Because we want our young players to have more individual teaching time with the coach! Fewer players on the field and fewer players on the team will guarantee this!
5. Because we want our young players to have more involved playing time in the game which gives them more opportunity to solve problems that only the game can present!
6. Because we want our young players to have more opportunities to play on both sides of the ball!
7. Because we want our young players to have more opportunities to score goals giving them more excitement!

These reasons will help promote the player's:

• Individual technical development
• Individual tactical development
• Understanding of how to reduce field size
• Importance and worthiness
• Critical decision making
• Understanding of attacking and defending
• Excitement for the game
• FUN environment of the game.¹

¹ We have quoted Tom Goodman, Director of Coaching Education, US Youth Soccer, for much of the above explanation of “Small-Sided” soccer.