Managing Substitutions u9s - 7v7

Matt MorrisonPlayer, England

Hi Andrew,

It sounds like you`ve got it spot on. I can imagine its difficult with 4 subs and only 7 on the pitch but regular rotations will ensure everyone gets game time.

Matt

Hans KempsCoach, Australia

Hi Andrew

I've got a 10 kid squad U9s 7vs7. I work with a single keeper for the entire game and I try to stick to only two substitution periods. One around 13 min in and the other around 27 min (so 7 min into the second half). That gives all 6 players roughly equal time on the pitch. Any more subs and I am too distracted to follow what's going on!

D SingerCoach, United Kingdom

I coach a 7v7 team with 11 players. I use the SubTime app that keeps track of all time a player has on the filed and in what position by game. Also builds total time and scoring/assists for a season. Drag and drop players to positions and the time moves starts the second that player is dropped on the filed. Lots of formations to choose from from 4v4 to 11v11.

Darren ClarkCoach, England

I have 10 players for 7v7 and and rotate each week. I play with one keeper for all 4 qtrs. 2 players play only 2qtrs and for everyone else they get 3 qtrs. it’s a lot of prep on a spreadsheet to keep track of but it makes sure everyone has equal playing time.

for 11 players I used to give one player the week off. Parents appreciated knowing way before so they plan and it works well.

sam busterCoach, Australia

After having an overlarge squad for U7, I specifically told the team manager I didn`t want more than nine players for U8 & U9 - the kids all want to be on the pitch and the more subs, the less time they each get to play.
If I have the full squad, I make the changes in pairs, every ten minutes (2x20min matches).
If I have one sub the changes are about every 5.5 mins = that`s more fiddly, but the players each get an extra 5 minutes-ish per game.
The players that started on the bench are the only ones that change position.