What Sets USASEM Apart?
USASEM stands for United Soccer Association of Southeastern Michigan . We offer soccer to all levels of players such as beginning recreational leagues, travel leagues and select teams for more experienced players. Our strengths include; certified coaches, technical coaches, soccer/foot skills clinics offered in the Winter and a team for every player – no cuts or tryouts for recreational or travel teams. We are a member of the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association, US Youth Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation. We share the values of these organizations especially regarding the use of small sided games to teach younger players.
What are Small Sided Games?
According to US Youth Soccer, small-sided games involve fewer players competing on a smaller sized field. These are fun games that involve the players more because fewer players are sharing one ball. Each player is able to get more touches on the ball to develop their skills. All ages can play "Small Sided Games", but it has a definite developmental impact on our younger soccer players. USASEM plays 6 v 6 at ages 10 and under, 8 v 8 for ages 11 and 12, and 11 v 11 for ages 13 and above.
Touches Per Game Study - by US Youth Soccer
US Youth Soccer did a study on the average number of touches on the ball during different sized games. For a U10 Boys team, the boys averaged 22 touches in 60 minutes of a 11 vs. 11 game. This averaged out to 0.37 touches per minutes per player. In a 4 vs. 4 game, the boys averaged 205 touches in 48 minutes, which averaged out to 4.3 touches per minute.