jjbs,

I do believe that you may be mis-interpreting some things on the small sided games. Please see the part of the official letter that was sent to all the members associations of Missouri Youth Soccer. Please respond or call me so we can discuss.

Thanks,
Travis C. Ross
President
Missouri Youth Soccer Association
1-314-620-9568 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Realizing that some member organizations face limitations regarding coaches, roster sizes, field layout and availability, the Missouri Youth Soccer Association Board of Directors may accept a written request by June 15, 2008 to allow member organizations a one (1) year transition period to comply with the new Mandated “Small Sided Games” rostering, and playing requirements as recommended by US Youth Soccer Association for intra league play. Upon written request teams that play under a Missouri Youth Soccer Association/US Youth Soccer Association Sanctioned leagues would be allowed to keep their existing roster size of 14 players with the understanding of transitioning to the new roster sizes, and playing rules for “Small Sided Games” as recommended by US Youth Soccer Association by the 2009/2010 season.

Sanctioned Missouri Youth Soccer Association/US Youth Soccer Association Grandfathered Tournaments in this state that have been submitted and approved or in the process of being approved for the 2008/2009 season may also submit written request by June 15, 2008 to allow the organizations tournaments a one (1) year transition period to comply with the new Mandated “Small Sided Games” rostering, and playing requirements as recommended by US Youth Soccer Association. Missouri Youth Soccer Association/US Youth Soccer Association Sanctioned members who host sanctioned tournaments would be allowed to keep their existing roster size of 14 players in their current tournament rules with the understanding of transitioning to the new roster sizes, and playing rules for “Small Sided Games” as recommended by US Youth Soccer Association by the 2009/2010 season.

I don't think so. The 14 player roster is not the issue I was referencing. Prior to this announcement, teams were planning mergers and other avenues to support the expanded roster requirements for 11 v. 11. Those wheels are already turning. The question that will not be known for a while is whether enough teams will halt that process, reevaluate and stay with 8 v. 8.

As I see it there are three categories of teams:
Current U11s playing 11 v 11; they will likely remain that way.

U11s with a good plan in place to expand to support 11 v 11; they may continue to move to 11 v 11 since they will move that way in a year, why not continue.

U11s with a hope to get enough players for 11 v 11; this is the group that is most likely to remain 8 v 8.

How many will remain and at what skill levels? Again, won't really know. I believe SLYSA offered this last year, but they could not get enough support since it was not sanctioned. Hopefully this is enough to get the necessary interest.

jjbs,

I understand your previous message, I do not have the answer, I wish that I did. Like you say, "Hopefully this is enough to get the necessary interest."

Please once again, feel free to contact me at anytime.

Thanks,

Travis C. Ross
President
Missouri Youth Soccer Association
1-314-620-9568 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

TGSC would like to express their complete support of the small sided decision regardless of the timing. When you decide to do the right thing, you should do it right away. Congratulations MYSA. We look forward to next year when there will be no exceptions to the rules by the leagues.

Mr Pesident,
We do need one thing cleared up.
Offside in the U-10 Division.
Last I had heard it was still in discussion that there would
be no offside,but we had also heard that it might be. We have our
coaches metting and draft on Monday.

Also we have roundtabled the Idea of having offsides locally regardless.

What can you advise??