• Basic Soccer Skills
• ​Fair Play
• Fun
• Good Sportsmanship
• Teamwork 

Benefits of Small- Sided Soccer

• More touches of the ball to increase participation and enjoyment
• Fewer players on the pitch meaning simpler decisions and better understanding
• Smaller fields meaning greater concentration and interest among participants
• More individual success leads to more children playing. In the long term, this leads to sustained participation levels beyond this age group getting involved with Mini-Soccer

Recently, England’s Football Association voted in favour of changes to the youth game, embracing Mini Soccer for player 12 years old and younger.

England's Football Association vote in favour of changes to youth game - BBC Website May 28

SSA's Director of Soccer Operations Dave Nutt says, "In my opinion, this is a very positive approach by the FA and another example of the quality of the Canadian Soccer Association's Long Term Player Development (LTPD) Model. Small-sided games have been the norm in Canada for some time now and are fundamental to the philosophies of the LTPD. There is much that even soccer-rich nations can take from the knowledge of the Canadian Sport for Life Expert Group and Canadian Soccer Association LTPD Workgroup and we should be proud to be on the road to creating a better developmental environment and sporting experience for our young players."

Keeping Mini-Soccer Simple
The game of Mini-Soccer provides the best environment for youth players to develop soccer skills and techniques. When coaching, officiating or parenting remember to keep the game simple. Over complicating things can loose the flow of the game in turn inhibiting a player's development. Encourage the players to discover the love of the game through the game.

Mini Soccer Program
Saskatchewan Soccer Association believes in Mini Soccer to involve three main objectives: FUN, SKILL DEVELOPMENT & ACTIVITY. Often, Mini Soccer programs are set up with the best intentions but do not accomplish the listed objectives. Mini Soccer is NOT a scaled down version of adult soccer and the SSA objectives should always be kept in mind. The SSA Staff have many years of experience in developing Mini Soccer programs, for assistance with developing yours, please contact Markus Reinkins, Coordinator of Sport for All at cs4a@sasksoccer.com

Festivals  
Mini Soccer Festivals provide a popular format for Member Organizations and Entities (Clubs, Zones, and Community Associations) to come together, with teams playing a small number of friendly games. Results are not kept and the importance is placed on fun and enjoying the next game without the pressure of league tables.

Organization

• SSA Member Organizations and Entities are encouraged to administer Mini-Soccer programs based on the stage-appropriate recommendations of the Long Term Player Development Model. For more information on these recommendations, please click here.
• As outlined in the Long Term Player Development Model, Mini Soccer programs should not focus on match results, keep league standings or operate under a promotion/relegation system.
• In all Mini-Soccer programs, emphasis should be placed on fun, sportsmanship, education, skill development, and respect for teammates, opponents and referees.
• Here are some simple concepts for a successful Mini-Soccer program:
• One Ball Per Player; Cones & Pinnies - Coaches must have the basics! Mini-Soccer players want one thing when they arrive for a session - the BALL! Each player must have a ball and, to allow the coach to be successful, you must give him/her the tools to succeed. By ensuring each player has a ball as much as possible, your team will be kept active, develop skills, and most importantly, have FUN!
• Sessions - Players must be able to have fun, while developing their skills. Coaches should provide fun games and instruction along with a scrimmage. Players must be in an environment where they can learn skills, and then apply them to a game situation. Sessions should consist of fun games and skill development as well as game play. For ideas on games and activities to develop skills, please click here and refer to the stage-appropriate Canada Soccer Pathway Coach’s Tool Kit.
• Active Games – Mini-Soccer games must allow each player to be active at most times. Mini-Soccer games are not scrimmages or drills, they are games like frozen tag, octopus game, etc. Players standing in long lines or standing around do not have fun.
• Get Parents Involved - Ask some parents from the sideline to participate in games with the players. Your players will love it!!

Getting involved in Mini-Soccer
By joining an SSA Member Organization or Entity (Club, Zone, Community Association), children will be able to take part in regular games and coaching programs. To find a Member Organization in your area, please click here.

The Canadian Soccer Association supports Mini-Soccer through Active Start Soccer Fests. Active Start Soccer Fests are a financial grant-based program designed to provide resources to host a soccer celebration in your community. For more information on the Active Start Mini Fest program, click here or visit the Active Start Soccer Fests website at canadasoccer.com/soccerfests.