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
How can I help my child keep the ball under pressure in football?
Losing the ball under pressure is common for young players. Help them by focusing on looking before the ball arrives, simple body positioning, and encouraging good decisions over avoiding mistakes.
Read →
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.
Read →
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.
Read →
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.
Read →
What Are the Best Football Drills for U7 and U8 Players?
Discover fun, age-appropriate football drills for U7s and U8s. Focus on ball mastery, 1v1s, and small-sided games to build confidence and a love for the game.
Read →
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.
Join the waiting list