Age groups and formats

First touches, big smiles.

Our goal

Fall in love with the ball. Winning does not matter yet; getting comfortable with the ball, the space and each other does. We want every player to leave smiling and asking when they can come back.

What we focus on

• Dribbling with the ball close (“puppy paws”)
• Starting, stopping and changing direction
• Simple kicks with the inside of the foot and the laces
• Listening, sharing and taking turns

Why 3v3?

Under the national standard, U5 is Active Start: no scheduled games, no scores, no standings. Every session is play. With only three a side inside that session, every child touches the ball again and again, there is nowhere to hide and no long waits.

A typical hour

A playful ball game like Red Light, Green Light, then short 1v1 and 2v2 games with a water break every few minutes.

Control, confidence, and a first look at teammates.

Our goal

Build confidence with the ball under a little pressure and start noticing teammates. Players learn that a pass is another way to keep playing, not a way to lose the ball.

What we focus on

• Dribbling with the head up
• Stopping a rolling ball and a first push pass
• Shooting with the laces at a target
• Staying on their feet when defending

Why 3v3?

U6 is still Active Start, so there are no scheduled games or results to chase. Inside the session it is three a side, where a pass is easy to see and easy to make, which makes it the ideal place to start playing together.

A typical hour

Dribbling games like Sharks and Minnows and passing gates, then 3v3 games where the coach adds one small idea each round.

Three a side: time to find a teammate.

Our goal

Turn individual skill into early teamwork. Players learn to look up, make simple passes and understand attacking and defending as a team.

What we focus on

• Passing and receiving with the inside of the foot
• Dribbling with changes of direction and simple moves
• Shooting from different angles
• Basic defending: close the ball down and stay between it and the goal

Why 3v3?

Three a side is the national standard at U7, and it is the smallest game that still teaches teamwork. With only two teammates to find, every player touches the ball constantly, nobody can hide, and the first idea of "pass and move" appears without the pitch getting crowded.

A typical hour

Passing gates and a rondo, then 3v3 games, pausing for one quick teaching moment at a time.

Five a side: roles, space and quick decisions.

Our goal

Start playing as a team. Players explore different roles, use the width of the pitch and make quick decisions with and without the ball.

What we focus on

• Passing combinations like the give-and-go
• Shielding the ball and 1v1 attacking
• Finding open space and supporting the player with the ball
• Defending as a pair: one pressures, one covers

Why 5v5?

Five a side allows a simple shape and real teamwork while the pitch stays small enough that every player is involved every few seconds. It is also the first format where roles such as defender and attacker start to make sense.

A typical hour

Give-and-go and 1v1 work, then 5v5 games with 2v1 and 3v2 moments practised inside the game.

Five a side: shape starts to matter.

Our goal

Bridge to the full game. Players learn to play as a connected team: keep their shape, switch the point of attack, and know when to press and when to hold.

What we focus on

• Passing with purpose and moving after the pass
• Attacking and defending in small groups of two and three
• Receiving and turning under pressure
• Talking to each other: calling for the ball and warning “man on”

Why 5v5?

Five a side with a goalkeeper is the national standard for U8 and U9. It gives a back, a middle and a front without the pitch swallowing anyone, so players learn shape and support while still getting plenty of touches. Seven a side comes at U10.

A typical hour

Quick rondos and attacking patterns, then 5v5 games built around keeping a back, middle and front.