Small Sided Games
Download the new 2012 handbook here:
Optus Small Sided Football 2012 Handbook
Optus Small Sided Football is a modified form of 11-a-side football, designed to meet the needs of players between the under 6 and 11 age groups, who have very different developmental characteristics and needs to adult players. The philosophy of Optus Small Sided Football focuses on enjoyment and freedom of expression with limited emphasis
on coaching per se, particularly in the formative years of a player’s development.
In 2012 around 180,000 children are set to participate in Optus Small Sided Football (OSSF) throughout Australia.
Clubs, players, coaches and parents should make themselves aware of the slight changes in 2012.
OSSF Parent Information Guide
The OSSF Parent Information Guide is a resource to educate parents in OSSF. The Information Guide can be distributed to all parents through your club at registration days and the commencement of the season. Further copies can be downloaded from this link – 2012 OSSF Parents Information Guide.
Summary of Small Sided Games
| Age Group | Under 6 & 7 | Under 8 & 9 |
Under 10 & 11 |
| Game | 4 v 4 |
7 v 7 |
9 v 9 |
| Recommended Field Size | Length 30m Width 20m |
1/4 Full Size Pitch Length 40m - 50m Width 30m - 40m |
1/2 Full Size Pitch Length 60m - 70m Width 40m - 50m |
| Goalkeeper | No | Yes |
Yes |
| Playing Time | 2 x 15-20mins | 2 x 20mins | 2 x 25mins |
| Half Time | 5 minutes |
5 minutes | 7.5 minutes |
| Ball Size | 3 | 3 |
4 |
| Penalty Area |
Nil | 5m depth x 12m width |
5m depth x 12m width |
| Goal Size |
Width 1.5m - 2.0m Height 0.9m - 1.0m |
Width 2.5m - 3.0m Height 1.8m - 2.0m |
Width 4.5m - 5.0m Height 1.8m - 2.0m |
* Players must turn five years of age prior to or on the 31st December 2012 to be eligible to play. Check with your local Club for more information.
The coach or parent is allowed to make the substitutions while the ball is in play, but must wait until the substituted player has left the field.
