Question Number: 16254

Other 8/9/2007

RE: Rec Under 11

Keith of Harrisburg, PA USA asks...

I am a little confused. How are the players positioned, I am to play 8V8 for my girls U10 team. Can you provide a layout or tell me? Thanks, Keith

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

Our job isn't to coach the teams, except in that what we do does affect their behavior, hopefully causing it to conform to the requirements of the Laws of the Game. There are many coaching forums available to you which should yield excellent results, and many coaching books which should also be helpful, along with the advice of other coaches in your area. I can remember using many such resources back when I was beginning as a soccer coach. Best of luck!

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi coach. We're referees here. If you check with your fellow coaches you'll probably find out they think we don't know ANYTHING about soccer.

Answer provided by Referee Gary Voshol

One of the common formations I've seen for an 8v8 game is 2-3-2 (plus the goalkeeper). Two defenders, 3 midfielders, 2 attackers. The midfielders run their butts off, which means you effectively have 5 on attack and 5 on defense.

Remember that whatever arrangement you decide to use, the players don't stay strictly in formation. Players overlap each other during the game as the dynamics change. There's no reason a defender shouldn't try to score a goal if the opponents do nothing to try to stop her. As she runs forward, one of her teammates has to drop back to cover her defensive responsibilities until she gets back into position.