"Often a result is confused with the situation."2
Johan Cruyff

Small sided games are a microcosm of the real game. They represent a form of real soccer and mistakes made in the former will be present in the later. By playing small-sided games it is easier to observe, analyze and correct the actual cause of the problems. The following are a few general problems worth noting.

TIC. Passes go astray, shots fly over open goals, players run the wrong way and defenders don't get goal side. Breakdowns in technique, insight and communication. Mistakes are all a part of the game. In small sided games those mistakes become clearer, solutions easier.

Shape. Nowhere is lack of insight and communication more apparent or a greater strain placed on technique then when a teams shape breaks down. When players aren't where they should be they can't be doing their job. This is a critical problem with older players as well as younger ones. In 4v4 the basic shape is a diamond. This can break down when players try to do too much or neglect their basic task in favor of their supplementary task.

No plan. Teams that approach a game without agreement on how to play are looking for trouble. When there is more then one agenda, or no clear one, on the field miscommunication is likely, insight is different and the techniques expected may not happen. If players are going to work together they must all share the same ideas.

Wrong player in the wrong role. Young children should experiment with different positions. But when a child is simply not equipped to meet the responsibilities of the role the rest of the team will have to compensate.

Too fast. As one Brazilian coach noted Americans "play too fast, think too slow." Often the pace of the game exceeds the children's abilities. This is due largely to the children not understanding their responsibilities or objectives.

Coach's problems. The field is not the right size. The goals are too big or too small. The wrong rules are in effect. These can be some of the causes in the breakdown in the learning process and inhibit the flow and of the game.