Under 10 - 12

Recent changes in playing format

The FA's FutureFit pathway has altered the progression of older mini-soccer age groups, resulting in a more progressive transition between formats. Previously, Under 10s and 11s played 7v7 football on a 55m × 37m surface, with Under 12s playing 9v9 on a 73m x 46m pitch. Under the new structure, Under 10s continue to play 7v7, Under 11s remain in the 7v7 format rather than moving up to 9v9, and Under 12s become the entry point for 9v9 football. This adjustment allows players to spend an additional year in the 7v7 format, honing their technical skills, decision-making, positional understanding, and confidence before transitioning to the larger 9v9 game. By slowing the rate at which young players advance through the forms, the FA hopes to ensure that the scale of the game better matches children's physical, cognitive, and social development, resulting in more competent and confident players in the long run.

Under 10 - 12 Curriculum

At Under 10, the emphasis should be on solidifying the technical foundations laid in prior years while introducing players to the more tactical demands of the 7v7 game. Players should continue to improve their dribbling, turning, ball control, passing, receiving, shooting, and 1v1 attacking and defending, but with more pressure, speed, and realism. Coaches should begin to highlight principles like breadth, depth, support, generating and exploiting space, switching play, and identifying when to attack or defend. Players should be encouraged to communicate effectively, collaborate with colleagues, and understand basic positional responsibilities. Sessions should remain game-based and engaging, while giving participants additional opportunities to solve problems, make decisions, and understand how their actions affect the team.

At Under 11, players prepare for the 9v9 format, which adds more space, numbers, and tactical complexity. The curriculum should focus on teaching players how to work as part of a team in attack and defence. Coaches should teach concepts like maintaining possession, moving the ball through the thirds, pressing, recovering defensively, supporting the player on the ball, and identifying overloads and underloads. Technical abilities should be tested through directional training, conditioned games, and match-realistic settings. Players should begin to learn the tasks and responsibilities of various positions while being flexible enough to experience many positions and have a comprehensive understanding of the game.