How do 3v3 games work for Under 7s?
Rule- England
- England Football
- Mini-soccer
- Under 7
- Under 8
- 3v3
- 5v5
- FutureFit
- 2026/27
- Parents
From 2026/27, 3v3 is the format for all Under 7 football in England.
| Under 7 (3v3) | |
|---|---|
| Players | 3 a side, no goalkeepers, no substitutes |
| Match length | 6-10 minutes per game (10 maximum) |
| Pitch | 15 x 10 m recommended (up to 20 x 15 m) |
| Goals | 4ft x 2.5ft (120 x 75 cm) |
| Ball | Size 3 |
| Officials | No referee: one adult facilitator per pitch helps the children decide |
How it plays
- Every restart (sideline, goal line, corner, free kick) is a pass-in or dribble-in, with opponents at least 3 m away.
- At a goal-line restart, the other team retreats to its own half.
- After a goal, the team that conceded restarts from its goal line.
- A shot only counts if the player is in the opponents' half.
- No heading and no penalty kicks.
- Children rotate between pitches, playing with and against different players. If numbers are short, 2v2 or 3v2 is fine.
Under 7 football is non-competitive: no points or league tables.
Added 21 Oct 2026