CAPITAL FOOTBALL

7 v 7 and 11 v 11 Youth Football: Game Modification

Renee Trentini
University of Canberra
Sports Studies

Executive Summary
Modification of youth football has been introduced in an effort to accommodate for
the unique needs of young participants. As such, modified soccer games have focused
on modifying size of the field, width of goal posts, size of the ball and number of
players, among others. Advocates of the modified game believe that implementing
these variations will ultimately provide appropriate conditions to cultivate a solid skill
base whilst also providing a fun social scene necessary to keep a childs continued
interest.
The current investigation studied the two versions of soccer conducted by Capital
Football, 7 v 7 and 11 v 11, in order to document any differences between the two
varied games. The findings were:

Smaller sided games with rule modification (7v7) provided more opportunities
for touches on the ball by all players.

A small difference in passing accuracy (higher successful pass rate) was noted
in 7v7 over 11v11 games.

Greater player involvement was noted in the smaller sided games (7v7)

Introduction
Modification of football matches for youth leagues exist in an effort to help increase
skill development whilst maintaining enjoyment for younger players. Rooball, one
version of the tailored soccer game, modifies the size of the goal, the field of play, the
ball size, the length of play and field markings in order to accommodate for younger
players and their unique requirements4. Seeking to modify the rules of the traditional
football game, has been motivated by the increasing realisation that children require
specific environmental stimuli in order to cultivate, their skill base, enhance their
enjoyment and ultimately encourage them to continue their participation in football,
whatever their skill level1.
Modification of youth football games is commonly accepted as best practice for skill
development, physical fitness and subsequently increasing young players enjoyment
of the game. Previous research studying the difference between full sized and
modified games have included quantitative data documenting; distances covered,
types and frequencies of passes, and technical skills displayed and executed4,5.
Common recommendations based on the findings of these research protocols identify
modification of the traditional football game as the best format of delivery for young
children. These modifications are recommended due to the unique requirements of the
childs development physiologically, mechanically and mentally4, 5.
Whilst children may be known for their endless energy and willingness to expend this
energy, physiologically they are unable to accomplish two diverse tasks at once. That
is; acquire skill and increase physical fitness simultaneously. Physical exercise is and
will always be a component of soccer, however, motor skill experts identify the need
to acquire skill and technical ability at a young age in order to progress
developmentally with ease3. Acquisition of technique and skill during the later years
(adolescents and young adulthood) is possible, but has been shown to be limited in
progression comparatively to those with a skill base from a young age. Instead
physical fitness is easier to obtain at a later age and therefore training of physical
components of soccer (i.e. running, sprints, endurance etc), should not be the primary
focus of training at a young age.

A suggested mode of delivery for teaching younger children the technical and skill
aspects of the game follow the problem based learning (PBL) format. PBL involves
the participant to solve problems through inquiry in a context-based environment.
PBL recommendation for this group has been based upon the opinion it is best suited
to the team training environment. Incorporating PBL as one part of the training
program for younger participants has been found to enhance player development and
performance6.
Continued involvement in sport proves beneficial both for the health of the participant
and additionally provides a social outlet on the recreational level. One research
project found that participation and continued participation in soccer, among others, is
due the fun factor1. One factor that made playing fun included continued learning of
new soccer skills, pertinent to improving performance in competition6. By providing
an environment that not only challenges their skill level (PBL), but also encourages
more attempts at skills by modifying the traditional parameters (such as Rooball), can
only prove beneficial for the development of the younger player. There has been
however, a case whereby the implementation of modification has not had the desired
effect.
A sociological study followed the implementation of rule modification in training and
competition in order to improve their skill base for the later purpose of their elite
academy squad2. The downfall in the case, reportedly, was due to lack of compliance
to the modified protocol. This suggests that for implementation of modification, there
needs to be recognition for change and a commitment to adherence for the benefits of
modification to be seen.
It is therefore the intention of this study to investigate the difference in player
involvement between the two size games (7v7 and 11v11). Additionally, to
investigate the skills attempted and executed by the two different experimental groups
as a result of the differing conditions.

Methodology
Equipment

One video camera was used to record each match for the purpose of gathering
match data. A total of three cameras were used to record matches at different
locations occurring at the same time.

A television and VCR were used to view and consequently gather raw data for
further analysis.

SPSS version 11.01 for windows was used to conduct statistical analyses from
the data collected.

Subjects

Children competing in Capital Football under 10s division were videoed.

Adult/guardian consent was given prior to commencement of footage

recording. The consent allowed for video and viewing of the footage to gain
raw data sets for analysis.

Match Analysis

Seven matches in total were recorded, four 11v11 and three 7v7. Two of each
data set was eliminated due to uneven player numbers. I.e. subs in and out, or
incomplete tallying. A total of two 11v11 and one 7v7 games were included in
analysis.

The highest and lowest scoring (touches on ball) subjects data were not used
in analysis to eliminate skewing of results.

Players who played a half match were also not used in an effort to, once
again, eliminate skewing of results.

Viewing of the match on the equipment previously mentioned, every time a

player made contact with the ball their number received a tally. At the end of
the match, all tallies were added to give a final number for each player. This
was the raw data from which the analysis was based.

Additionally from the video footage successful and unsuccessful passes were
recorded. This was determined by the individual researcher following this

data. A successful pass was determined by the intent to pass in a certain

direction and the successful completion of the pass to the desired player.

Field size for 7v7 was used at 54.5m x 36.4m and 11v11 was 90m x 54.5m.

The matches videoed for analysis included both male and female player in the
under 10 division.

Each game videoed followed different teams as per competition draw.

Statistical Analyses

Statistical analyses was performed using one-way ANOVA with significance

assumed at P<0.05.

The Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc test was used to test for homogeneity of
results.

Results
The data collected in the current investigation revealed 7v7 (a) completed 59.6%
successful passes and 40.4% unsuccessful passes. The mean number of successful
passes completed for the 11v11 games was 55.7% successful passes and 44.3%
unsuccessful passes (table 1.).
.

Passes

11v11 (a+b)

7v7(a)

Successful

24.5

53

Unsuccessful

19.5

36

Total

44

89

Successful %

55.7%

59.6%

Unsuccessful%

44.3%

40.4%

Table 1. Number of successful and unsuccessful passes in 7v7 and 11v11 games. 7v7 (a) Belwest
White.

Passes

11v11(a)* 11v11(b)*

Successful

32

17

Unsuccessful

24

15

Total

56

32

Successful%

57.1%

53.1%

Unsuccessful%

42.9%

46.9%

Table 2. Number of successful and unsuccessful

passes in 11v11 a and b.
* (a) Marist Royal U10 (b) Majura U10.

Table 2 outlines the two games which were used for analysis of 11v11 games. Game
11(a) completed 57.1% successful passes and 42.9% unsuccessful passes. Game 11(b)
completed 53.1% successful passes and 46.9% successful passes.
A one-way ANOVA was performed on the three data groups and found the total
number of touches on the ball for 7v7 proved to be statistically significant (p<0.013)
from the 11v11 game.

Mean
Mean
11v11#3
7v7
11v11 #1
0

10

20

30

40

50

Number of touches

Figure1.Mean number of touches on the ball of 11v11 and 7v7.

Discussion
The purpose of the current investigation was to identify any differences in player
involvement between 7v7 and 11v11 game in relation to skill sets, and if these
differences may prove either beneficial or detrimental to the continued improvement
of the skill set of young football participants. Observation and research data show an
increased number of touches on the ball in the 7 v 7 games compared to the 11 v 11
game. The comparison between 11v11 (a) and 11v11 (b) show a 4% difference
between successful and unsuccessful percentages respectively. This variance may be
safely assumed due to team and player technique and level of play. When the two
11v11 games are compared collectively (mean) or individually to the 7v7 game, there
is still a noticeable difference. The 7v7 game scores show a higher number of
successful touches and fewer unsuccessful touches. Statistical analyses show these
increased number of touches to be statistically significant (p< 0.013). Previous
research reporting on the difference in touches between 7v7 and 11v11 have found the
same results4, concluding the 7v7 games allowed for more touches on the ball
compared to 11v11 games which is thought to be due to the decreased number of
players on the field.
The increased number of touches found in the present research is thought to strongly
promote increased skill development. Previous research supports the practice of
modified smaller games, which purports to increase skill development through greater
exposure to the skill in practice5. Theoretically, the more touches on the ball the
player has, the greater their involvement in the game. With an increase in game
involvement, there is a need (or demand) to keep attempting technical skills, more
often, in an effort to meet the demands of the game. With continuous attempts to
control the ball, the player is exposed to more technical attempts, and thus should
improve their skill base. The result from the current study does not show a marked
increase in accuracy with the higher percentage of touches. The results for the 7v7
games were 59.6% (successful) and 40.4% (unsuccessful) in comparison to the two
11v11 games 57.1% and 53.1% success rate (respectively for game 1 and 2) and
unsuccessful passes at 42.9% and 46.9% respectively.

One possible explanation for this finding may be due to the previous limited exposure
to smaller sided games during practice and competition. Although testing was
conducted on both 7v7 and 11v11 games, the usual competition and training mode is
11v11. The difference in success rate between 7v7 and 11v11 may then be seen as
testament to the positive impact that modified and smaller sided games may have on
the younger players skills. One possible projection of these results may conclude that
with continued use of game modification, the improvement already seen in the
success rate of passes in the 7v7 game may continue to improve the younger
participants skill set.
Does this mean, then, that physical fitness should not be included in the young
participants soccer training from a young age? Research shows that children
participating in both full sized and modified games of soccer cover the same
distances. Distance covered spent jogging for a full sized game was 3804m compared
to 4404m, and similarly with sprinting; a full sized game 730m and 765m
respectively4, 5. Physically exerting exercise has been shown to be a common
component of soccer irrespective of the delivery format; full sized or modified game.
It was not within the scope of the current research to investigate this aspect of the
modified game, but through observation, and noting the increased amount of touches
on the ball, it may be reasonably surmised that the same amount of distance (if not
more) was covered during the modified game.
Finally, the results from the current investigation, it is suggested that rule
modification be implemented for younger players to provide optimal conditions for
skill development. The findings from this study also give rise to further questions. Do
more touches on the ball equate with greater success in skill execution? What is the
perceived level of enjoyment for the two different protocols (modified and full size)?
And, if there is an increase of enjoyment, will this then affect the rate of player loss?
It is suggested that further research is required in order to answer these questions.

Findings
1. Smaller sided games with rule modification (7v7) provided more opportunities
for touches on the ball by all players.
2. A small difference in passing accuracy (higher successful pass rate) was noted
in 7v7 over 11v11 games.
3. Greater player involvement was noted in the smaller sided games (7v7)

Recommendations
1. Modify games for practice and competition as a means to improve skill base
of younger players.
2. Further research to be conducted to determine if increase touches on the ball
lead to improvement in skill and technique base.
3. Possible further investigation to determine players perceived level of
enjoyment.

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