How to play and manage 11v11 games

Who plays 11v11?

From the 2026-27 season, changes are being made to the formats to improve the experience young players get across the country. And one of them is that U14s and above will play 11v11 on matchday.

Note that this is the maximum format players can play at these age groups. So, as a coach, it’s fine to let them experience smaller formats still, especially at training. That way players get plenty of variety.

Check out the Future Fit digital content hub to discover all the changes.

What does 11v11 look like?

Here’s the insight to help you set up 11v11 on matchday. Pitch sizes are shown as how long the pitch is x how wide it is.

Equipment for 11v11

• Recommended pitch size: 82x50m (U14s), 91x55m (U15-U16s), 100x64m (U17s and above).
• Minimum pitch size: 82x46m (U14-U16s), 91x46m (U17s and above).
• Maximum pitch size: 91x55m (U14s), 100x64m (U15s-U16s), 118x91m (U17s and above).
• Recommended goal size: 21x7ft (U14s), 24x8ft (U15s and above).
• Ball: Size five (U14s and above).

Basic rules for 11v11

• Match officials needed: Yes.
• Substitutes: Rolling substitutes (up to U18s), limited subs (open-age game).
• Match length: Games last up to 70 minutes (U14s-U15s), 80 minutes (U16s), 90 minutes (U17s and above).
• Competitions: League tables and cups.
• Goalkeepers: Yes.
• Retreat line: No.
• Powerplay: No.
• Heading: Heading allowed.
• Sideline restarts: Throw-ins.
• Offside: Offside used.

How to manage 11v11 on matchday

As a coach, it’s important to create the right environment on a matchday. After all, we want to help players have fun, develop, and love the game.

So be positive. Give your players freedom to express themselves and offer plenty of encouragement. Shouting instructions and telling them what to do all the time won’t help them become great problem-solvers. Be respectful and encourage respect as well. It’s important everyone enjoys the matchday experience.

Use your rolling subs effectively to give players equal game time. Best practice would be that each player gets to play at least 50% of the game. But if you’re coaching in the open-age game, think about how you can use subs wisely and how to balance playing time across the season. Don’t forget you can still keep subs engaged though. Try giving them observational tasks, or, if you have the space, set up small-sided games for them. Consider getting the opposition’s subs involved, too.

At this format, it's also likely that you need to have more of a focus on styles of play and tactics, strategies, and systems. Think about the capabilities of your players. What are their super strengths? What approach allows them to best showcase their abilities? And how can you help them to develop further?

Speaking of systems, are you wondering what 11v11 could look like on the pitch? If so, here are a few formations you can use.