Guide for grassroots coaches
How to run a 3v3 football festival for under-7s
From the 2026/27 season, 3v3 becomes the entry format for under-7s in England. A good 3v3 festival means lots of small pitches, short games and no child waiting on the side. Here is how to set one up.
Updated 19 October 2026 · 6 min read
Why 3v3?
Fewer players means more of the ball for everyone. In an observation published by England Football Learning, a 10-minute 3v3 game gave each player around 71 touches on average — compared with 57 in a 5v5 and 37 in a 7v7 game the authors watched. With no goalkeepers and no substitutes, every child is involved all the time.
England Football's youth changes (known as FutureFit) were developed with Liverpool John Moores University after studying more than 400 grassroots games. Smaller formats are played for longer, and 3v3 is where football starts.
3v3 pitch, equipment and rules
| Item | U7 3v3 |
|---|---|
| Pitch | 15 × 10 m recommended · 20 × 15 m maximum |
| Goals | 4 × 2.5 ft (120 × 75 cm), one at each end |
| Ball | Size 3 |
| Game length | 6–10 minutes; about 30–40 minutes per child in total |
| Players | 3v3, no goalkeepers, no substitutes |
| Scoring | A goal only counts if the shooter is in the opponent's half |
| Restarts | Pass or dribble in; opponents at least 3 m away |
| Not used | Referees, heading, offside, penalties, powerplays |
Games start with a high five, and rock-paper-scissors decides who kicks off. After a goal, players retreat to their own goal line before the restart. Your county FA or league may add its own details, so check them before an official festival.
Who does what on the day
- Matchday organiser. Sets the number of pitches, team sizes, game length and fixtures, and keeps central time. With four pitches or fewer, a pitch facilitator can cover this.
- Pitch facilitator. One adult per pitch instead of a referee: keeps play safe, helps children learn the rules and gets teams ready after breaks.
- Pitch assistants (optional). Fetch balls so the game keeps flowing.
- Spectators. Clap and cheer after each game, and say little during play.
Sample running order: 24 children, 4 pitches
Four 3v3 pitches fit on one 5v5 pitch. Five games of 7 minutes give each child 35 minutes of football.
Teams normally rotate between pitches in a carousel. For an in-club festival you can go further and re-mix the children every game, so they play with different team-mates each time.
Generate your festival schedule
Pick how many children turned up — pitches, rounds and teams appear instantly.
from 10 to 28
Dynamic Mode
Zero minutes on the bench
everyone plays equally
Lineups: 3v3
Lineups rotate flexibly (e.g. 3v3 and 3v4). Every child plays in every round.
Classic Mode
Fixed team sizes
everyone plays equally
Lineups: 3v3
All matches in fixed format. Players take turns resting on the bench.
Common mistakes
Children waiting on the side. If numbers don't divide into threes, play 3v2 or 3v4 rather than resting a child.
Pitches too big. A 30 m pitch for six-year-olds means more running and fewer touches. Stick to 15 × 10 m.
Adults coaching from the line. Let the pitch facilitator guide; parents cheer after the game.
Planning the night before. Two late withdrawals and the plan falls apart — build it after registration.
3v3 festival questions
What size is a 3v3 pitch for under-7s?
England Football recommends 15 × 10 m, with a maximum of 20 × 15 m. Goals are 4 × 2.5 ft and a size 3 ball is used. Up to four 3v3 pitches fit on one 5v5 pitch.
How long should a 3v3 game last?
Games last 6–10 minutes, and each child plays several games for roughly 30–40 minutes of football in total.
Are there goalkeepers or referees in 3v3?
No. There are no goalkeepers, substitutes or referees. An adult pitch facilitator on each pitch keeps play safe and helps children learn the rules.
Do you keep scores and league tables at U7?
U7 football is non-competitive. The FA does not allow results and league tables to be published for teams from under-7s to under-11s; festivals focus on playing, not standings.
What if the numbers don't add up to full teams?
Uneven games such as 3v2 are fine. Rotate who plays in the smaller side so that every child keeps playing — Talentiada does this automatically.
Plan your festival in five minutes
A free schedule, zero minutes on the bench even with odd numbers, and scores entered pitch-side.
Sources: England Football Learning, “How to play and manage 3v3 games” and “Why you should try 3v3 small-sided games”; England Football FutureFit, “A closer look at 3v3”. Talentiada is independent and not affiliated with The FA.