U13–U14 · 11v11
Football for U13 and U14 players
U13 and U14 step up to 11v11. Positional roles, game management and reading the opposition become genuinely useful — in plain language, at their pace.
What they're ready for
- •Understanding a positional role and its responsibilities
- •Reading pressing triggers and when to release the ball
- •Managing a game: tempo, territory, game state
- •Reviewing their own decisions honestly
How to run sessions
- •Longer practices with tactical constraints
- •Video or verbal review kept short and constructive
- •Independent practice they choose themselves
What to leave alone
- •Shaming late developers during growth spurts
- •Prescribing gym, diet or weight programmes
- •Framing football around selection anxiety
For parents
- •Let them lead the conversation about the game
- •Expect inconsistency — bodies are changing
- •Keep it enjoyable; drop-out peaks at this age
Reads for U13–U14
What Football Drills Can My Child Do at Home in the Garden?
Discover simple, fun football drills your child can practise alone in the garden to improve their ball control, movement, and awareness with minimal equipment.
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How Coaches Can Develop Better Decision-Makers Between Training Sessions
How grassroots coaches can use Become Unplayable cards between training sessions to develop thinking players and better football conversations.
Read →How to Help Your Child Make Better Decisions on the Pitch
Simple ways to use Become Unplayable cards before and after football to help your child see more, think quicker and make better decisions.
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What Are Small-Sided Games in Football and Why Do They Work?
Small-sided games are scaled-down versions of football with fewer players on a smaller pitch. They are used in youth football to increase player involvement and accelerate development.
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What Are the Best Football Drills for Kids?
Discover the best football drills for kids are not drills at all, but fun, game-like practices that promote decision-making and a love for the game.
Read →Other age groups
The card game that teaches kids how to think like a footballer.
Help young players improve their decision-making, positioning, teamwork and football intelligence through fun match-day scenarios. Designed for ages 7–13. No coaching experience required.
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