U7–U8 · 3v3 / 5v5
Football for U7 and U8 players
Under the FA's youth formats, U7 now plays 3v3 and U8 plays 5v5 on small pitches. Everything works best when it looks like a game, lasts a few minutes and gives them as many touches as possible.
What they're ready for
- •Dribbling, turning and running with the ball with confidence
- •1v1 situations — trying things and losing the ball without fear
- •One simple decision cue at a time: “can I dribble, or is a pass on?”
- •Following a game with simple rules and lots of goals
How to run sessions
- •Activities of 5–10 minutes before switching
- •Small groups so nobody queues
- •Games rather than lines and cones
What to leave alone
- •Formations, positions and tactical instructions
- •Fitness, strength or conditioning work
- •Deliberate heading practice
- •Talk of trials, scouts or comparison with other children
For parents
- •Praise the attempt, not the outcome
- •Let them play in the garden without turning it into a session
- •Stay quiet on the sideline — one voice (the coach) is plenty
Reads for U7–U8
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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