Youth football formats by age group, and what changes for the coach

Junior football in England grows with the players. Children start in small teams on small pitches and move up to bigger teams and bigger pitches as they get older. Each step changes what you do as a coach, from how many players you need to how you plan substitutions and positions. This guide gives an overview of the usual pathway and what each move means in practice.

A note before we start: the pathway below follows The FA's youth football guidance, but leagues and county FAs can set their own rules on formats, match lengths, pitch sizes and when teams move up. Always check your league's handbook and your county FA before the season.

The pathway at a glance

The squad sizes are a practical guide rather than a rule. They give you enough players to cope with the odd absence while still giving everyone plenty of time on the pitch. Some leagues set maximum squad sizes or a maximum number of players in a matchday squad, so check yours.

Under 7 and under 8: 5v5

This is where most children play their first proper matches. Pitches are small, goals are small and each child gets lots of touches of the ball.

What it means for the coach

• Everyone plays a lot. With only four outfield places, a big squad means long spells on the bench. Keep squads small so every child gets plenty of football.
• Positions are loose. Children at this age follow the ball. That is normal. Give them a simple idea, such as "one of you stay back with the keeper", and don't worry about shape.
• Goalkeepers rotate. Let everyone try it, and don't leave one child in goal every week.
• Results matter least. Many leagues at this age don't publish league tables. Focus on enjoyment, touches of the ball and learning to play together.

You may also come across a retreat line in mini-soccer: when a goalkeeper has the ball, the opposing team drops back to a line so the keeper can play out. Whether and how it is used depends on your league.

Under 9 and under 10: 7v7

The move to 7v7 is a big one. The pitch is larger, there are more players to organise and children start to take more notice of positions.

What it means for the coach

• Shape starts to matter. A simple 2-3-1 or 3-2-1 gives children a clear idea of where to be. Keep it consistent for a few weeks before trying anything else.
• Rotate positions. This is the age to let children try defending, midfield and attack. It builds understanding and stops them being labelled too early.
• Substitutions need planning. With three or four players on the bench, rolling changes every few minutes keep everyone involved. The substitutions guide has a worked 7v7 example.
• Parents take more notice of the score. Set out your approach to fair playing time early, before results start to feel important.

Under 11 and under 12: 9v9

9v9 is a stepping stone between small-sided football and the full game. The pitch is bigger again and the game starts to look more like 11-a-side.

What it means for the coach

• More tactical ideas. You can talk about width, playing out from the back and different roles in midfield. Keep instructions short, though: children still learn most by playing.
• Bigger squads, more to manage. With a squad of twelve or more, you may want a helper to track substitutions and minutes while you coach.
• Offside may come in. Depending on your league, offside may apply in 9v9, sometimes only in certain areas of the pitch. Check the rules and spend a session explaining it before the season.
• Goalkeepers may start to specialise. Some children will want to keep goal regularly. Let them, but make sure they still get outfield time now and then.

Under 13 and older: 11v11

From U13, most teams play 11v11 on a full-size or near full-size pitch. For many players and parents, this feels like "real" football.

What it means for the coach

• Full laws of the game, mostly. Leagues may still adapt some things, such as match length, substitution rules or the size of pitch used by younger 11v11 age groups. Check your league's handbook.
• Bigger squads. You will need more players to cover absences, which makes fair playing time more of a challenge. Rolling substitutions, where your league allows them, make it much easier.
• Settled positions. It is reasonable for players to have preferred positions by now, but it still helps them to try others, particularly in training.
• Players take more ownership. Older children can help with warm-ups, take on captaincy and give their own views on how the match went.

Things to check with your league

Rules vary between leagues and counties, and they do change. Before the season, check:

• Which format your age group plays, and whether any leagues move up earlier or later.
• Match length, number of periods and breaks.
• Substitution rules: rolling or fixed, and any limits.
• Whether offside and the retreat line apply, and how.
• Pitch and goal sizes, and the ball size. As a rough guide, many leagues use a size 3 ball for the youngest age groups and a size 4 through the middle age groups, moving to a size 5 at older ages, but follow your league's rules.
• Squad size limits and rules on players playing up an age group.

Moving up a format

The first few weeks after moving up can feel chaotic. Children are used to the smaller pitch, the goals feel huge and positions need re-learning. A few things help:

• Play a couple of friendlies in the new format before league matches start.
• Train on a pitch marked out to the new size, if you can.
• Keep the shape simple and build it up gradually.
• Remind parents that results may dip for a while, and that this is expected.

How Match Report GO fits in

Match Report GO supports football in 5-a-side, 6-a-side, 7-a-side, 9-a-side and 11-a-side formats, and you can set up walking football too. When your team moves up, you change the format and the line-up builder, scoring and reports follow it.

Junior mode is on automatically for under-18 age groups, so public pages, reports and graphics show first names only, whichever format you play.