3v3 Football, What's All The Fuss?
3v3 football (or 3-a-side football) is a small-sided version of the game that focuses on fast-paced action, skill development, and high player involvement. It is widely used for youth training, tournaments, and soon to be introduced as the entry-level format for the Under 7 age group by The FA in England.
Key Features of 3v3 Football
✅ Number of Players – Three players per team, no goalkeepers.
✅ Pitch Size – Typically 15m x 25m to 20m x 30m, depending on age and competition.
✅ Goals – Small-sized goals, usually around 5 ft wide by 3 ft high (c. 1.5m x 1m)
✅ Game Duration – Usually 5–10 minutes per half, but can vary.
✅ Rolling Substitutions – Often allowed in tournaments and training.
✅ No Offsides – Encourages attacking play and creativity.
Benefits of 3v3 Football
⚽ More Touches on the Ball – Players get more involvement compared to larger formats.
⚡ Fast-Paced & Intense – Players must think and react quickly.
🧠 Encourages Decision-Making – Small teams mean players take on multiple roles.
🎯 Improves Dribbling & Passing – More 1v1 situations and quick passing movements.
🥅 More Goal-Scoring Opportunities – Small-sided play leads to frequent attacks.
Where is 3v3 Football Played?
- Grassroots Training
- Tournaments & Festivals.
- Street & Cage Football
- Professional Academies
And now The FA in England is integrating 3v3 football into its youth development pathway to enhance young players' engagement and technical skills, starting from the 2026-27 season as part of its Future Fit framework for grassroots youth football - find out more Future Fit - The FA In England Finally Confirms Its Plans
Do you regularly use 3v3 games in your training? Have you taken part in any 3v3 tournaments or organised games?
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