How to prevent excessive scoring in lopsided youth soccer matchups

Steps that a coach can take to show good sportsmanship while offering opportunities for both teams to walk away from the game with a positive experience.

Lopsided matches in youth soccer can unfortunately be all too common and are sometimes unavoidable. A team could be misplaced in a bracket or league for various reasons, particularly in recreational games where new teams are formed without tryouts and there is little to no player history. Perhaps the players' skills were underestimated, or a team rapidly progressed under the guidance of a more knowledgeable coach. In other cases, there may simply be no other option available for a team to play. Whatever the reason a stronger team finds itself facing a significantly weaker opponent, the coach's next decision can have a meaningful impact both teams.

Excessive scoring does not benefit either team in any way.

Losing a game by double digits is undoubtedly difficult and can have lasting effects on young players. A large defeat can undermine confidence and motivation, while reducing players' willingness to take risks and make decisions. It can also contribute to anxiety and overly cautious play, potentially affecting future performances. Often times, teams will not return, the players will lose interest in playing and they could even be hesitant to try new activities in the future.

On the other side, dominating an opponent by scoring easy goals can create a superficial sense of success without meaningful satisfaction or growth. The lack of challenge can lead to disengaged players and missed opportunities to develop important skills such as perseverance, teamwork, decision-making, and resilience.

Obviously, the point of the game is to score and win.

Your team is dominating and will most likely win.

Mission accomplished.

Now what?

Parents and coaches have a critical responsibility to help shape young athletes' values while modeling sportsmanship, discipline, and respect. When a team finds itself in a lopsided matchup, it can become a valuable opportunity to teach lessons in self-control, self-improvement and personal achievement.

Teams that score goal after goal without effort can redirect their focus towards growth. Players can work on individual technical skills, improve their passing and decision-making, and challenge themselves in new ways to help prepare for the next level- all while maintaining a respect for the opposing team.

Where can coaches start?

Communicate and educate your team and parents BEFORE you find your team in a one-sided game. Be prepared.

Check the standings and consider the teams you may face. Perhaps you are playing an opponent for the second time and already know your team is likely to win. Let your team know ahead of time that you may make adjustments to create a more beneficial experience for everyone involved.

Make changes early, as soon as you realize that your team is significantly stronger. Waiting until after your team has scored 5 goals could be too late.

Make it more difficult for your team to score.

The goal is not to take away your team's ability to score, but to make scoring more challenging. By creating specific tasks or requiring certain conditions before a goal can be scored, players can continue developing their skills while making each goal more difficult to achieve.

Here are some simple suggestions-

• Switch player positions or make lineup changes

• Only allow attempts on goal from outside the box

• Only allow shots with player's less dominate foot

• Limit the number of touches your players have on the ball

• Require every player to touch the ball before scoring

• Require a certain number of passes before taking shots

Changing the lineup could put players out of their comfort zone in a low-risk situation. This can help create confidence and experience in unfamiliar positions that may benefit them later on.

Establishing pre-scoring requirements that include the entire team can balance the activity among all players, limit the influence of a dominate player, and build or solidify team cohesion.

Limiting individual touches and encouraging the use of the non-dominate foot can increase player abilities and ball control.

Suggestions for the more advanced team or experienced coach.

• Require the players to play back to the goalkeeper each time they win possession

• Identify the area of the game that your team needs to improve and create on field situations

  • For example, emphasize passing patterns such as through balls behind the defense, overlapping runs, playing to teammate's feet or leading a teammate into space.

The goal is to turn an otherwise one-sided game into an opportunity for development. Instead of simply continuing to score, players can work on skills and situations that will challenge them and prepare them for future competition.

Overall, these small adjustments can have a significant impact on players on both sides of the field and can ultimately contribute to a more positive game atmosphere.

Houston Youth Soccer Association (HYSA) hosts seasonal leagues for Division 3 and Division 4 recreational teams for players ages 8 and older. Excessive goal scoring is an issue that occurs every year, particularly among the younger age groups, although it can also occur in the older divisions. To discourage against excessive goal scoring, HYSA does not award points for number of goals in the standings. Points are only awarded for wins and ties, with ties in the standings broken by head-to-head competition.