Surf would get destroyed at U11 playing out from the back. Glad to see that it's paying dividends now...that's a win for "good" soccer.
So, I have a U11 daughter and have seen her grow from 7 v 7 to 9 v 9 to now 11 v 11. She's on a good team and I can say that I've heard a million opinions on what is best for youth soccer. I can also say that there are a lot of "if you do this" with those opinions on changes to rules and such for teaching "good soccer". I've learned to trust the process, because every good team with good passing and rondo skill development will blossom with 11 v 11. I've seen it first hand.
I'm starting to wonder if we're doing the opposite of what is best for development. Expecting good build out with undeveloped youth players especially taller players just getting used to their body structure and touch and making the fields smaller and more compact under pressure with loud parents is the opposite of what they need. The parents and focus on winning is the least of the problems imo.
Until these girls are 12 or over, they should focus on dribbling, passing, collecting, and position play for every position. They should not be getting boxed into 1 position imo. I saw constant rondo for months develop our girls into pretty good passers and movers on the field.
7 v 7 and 9 v 9 with compact field and pressure is great for girls who are confident and developed with touch and skill instincts to dribble out of pressure and to take space, but for the less developed girls, I think it might even be a negative, because it makes them rush, panic, and boot the bal
In my perfect world, they would play 11 v 11 and rondo, switch positions often, and provide more games and fun rather than skill training and ball mastery. They need a practice or 2 every week and then games on weekends to use those skills in games to develop the ability to read the field and play specific positions where they would gain incredible soccer iq.
I don't agree with this slow the game down, so they can learn to build out. They have to learn how to dribble, control, and think before they can handle pressure in tight spaces. Instead we put the most pressure on them when they are young and clumsy and then the most space and time with 11 v 11 when they actually have the skills to build out in 9 v 9.
All of our girls have different skill sets too, so I'm sure opinions are different based on where they play. There are a lot more goals and easier access to the ball in 9 v 9 for counter attacks for skilled, athletic girls.