Help Sign up to our newsletter
A player moves with the ball past an opponent.
Article

How to play and manage 3v3 games

With 3v3 being introduced, we explore what it looks like and how you can manage this format.

Matchday
England Football Learning logo on a red background.

England Football Learning

4 mins - Dec 8, 2025

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 3v3 is being implemented for U7s.

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

3v3 gives players more touches of the ball, more playing time on the pitch and more opportunity to develop their skills. All of which have a positive impact on player development and help players fall in love with the game. And that’s why it’s being introduced.

But what does it look like?


Here’s the insight to help you set up 3v3 on matchday. Pitch sizes are shown as how long the pitch is x how wide it is.

Equipment for 3v3

  • Recommended pitch size: 15x10m.
  • Minimum pitch size: 15x10m.Maximum pitch size: 20x15m.
  • Cones or flat markers to create the pitches.
  • Recommended goal size: 4x2.5ft.
  • Ball: Size three.

Basic rules for 3v3

  • Match officials needed: No.
  • Substitutes: No substitutes – meaning everyone gets to play all the time.
  • Match length: Individual games last between six and ten minutes. Players then take part in multiple games to have between 30-40 minutes of playing time.
  • Goalkeepers: No.
  • Retreat line: Players retreat to their own goal line after a goal is scored.
  • Powerplay: No powerplay.
  • Heading: No heading.
  • Sideline restarts: Players either pass or dribble in for all restarts.
  • Offside: No offside.

Looking for more information? Take a closer look at 3v3 here.

To make 3v3 a success, here are the roles adults can do on a matchday.

Matchday organiser

This role can be covered by a pitch facilitator when numbers are low – for example, if four or fewer pitches are in use. The matchday organiser should:

  • decide the number of pitches needed and how many players are in each team
  • decide the length of matches and number of fixtures to be played
  • act as the central timekeeper to provide a clear indication of when each game starts and ends.

 

Pitch facilitator

There should be one adult carrying out this role per pitch. The pitch facilitator should:

  • ensure a safe playing environment and provide positive encouragement to all players
  • support players to understand 3v3 playing rules
  • make sure teams are ready to play after each break.

 

Pitch assistants

This role can be used if you have enough volunteers on matchday. Pitch assistants should:

  • maximise playing time by keeping footballs nearby
  • support pitch facilitators should any issues arise.

 

Parents, carers and spectators

To support players and to help create a great environment, parents, carers, and spectators should:

  • clap and cheer after each game
  • have minimal input while the games are playing to allow players the opportunity to express themselves freely.

So, now you know the roles, here’s some further insight to help you manage 3v3 on matchday.


Permanent pitch lines aren’t required for the 3v3 format. So, they can be created using cones or flat markers. They’re smaller, so they won’t take up as much room. For instance, if you have a 5v5 pitch, you can fit up to four 3v3 pitches in that space.

And if you have multiple matches going on, use a carousel approach so that teams rotate around the pitches at the end of each game. That way, there’s more football taking place, and players experience playing against different opponents.

The 3v3 format gives players more ownership. They’ll manage the games themselves, just like they would in the playground. You’ll just need a pitch facilitator to oversee each pitch and to step in only when needed.

And don’t worry if the numbers don’t always add up. It’s fine to mix teams or play 3v2s and 2v2s. The main thing is that everyone plays. And if one side has more players than the other, that’s fine. Let teams play with an underload or overload. After all, these moments occur regularly on matchdays. So, it’s important to give players the chance to experience them.

 

Related articles