YEL is proud to be setting the standard as early adopters of the The Football Association FutureFit changes for 2026/27, putting player development, enjoyment and time on the ball at the heart of everything we do.

These changes are designed to give every player more opportunities to learn, develop and grow, with their experience in the game coming first.

This week, we’re focusing on how to prepare for 3v3 football, with more detail on gameplay to follow.

🔄 What does this mean?

• 3v3 at Under 7
• 5v5 at Under 9
• 7v7 at Under 11
• 11v11 starting from Under 14

⚽ Ball Sizes

• Size 3 – 3v3, 5v5 and 7v7
• Size 4 – 9v9
• Size 5 – 11v11

🏟️ How do you host 3v3?

• YEL will schedule a season of friendly fixtures on a home/away basis
• Matchday squads: minimum 6, maximum 9 players
• Fixtures played in a carousel format where teams rotate across 3 pitches
• Format: 6 x 6-minute games (short, high-intensity games) with a short break between each game

Pitch setup:

• Minimum 3 x 3v3 pitches
• Recommended size 10m x 15m (max 15m x 20m)
• Grass or 3G surfaces
• Markings can be lines, cones or flat markers
• Recommended goal size 120cm x 75cm (max 150cm x 90cm)
• Minimum 3m run-off (6m between pitches)

📝 How do you enter a 3v3 team?

• Divisions based on ability and travel distance
• Divisions will be regularly reviewed

📋 Player Registration

• All players must be registered on the FA Club Portal
• Squad lists used for matchday ID checks
• There is no limit to number of players that can be registered

👥 Pitch Facilitators

• The facilitators’ role is to support the flow and organisation of games
• Each team will need 2 registered pitch facilitators as a minimum
• Facilitators must hold a DBS and Safeguarding Children qualification
• Facilitators are responsible for ensuring pitches are set up and ready to start on time
• On matchday each pitch must have one (home or away) Pitch Facilitator present at the pitch (not on it)
• Home & away facilitators should confirm expected player numbers before matchday
  (this may mean adapting formats such as 2v2 or 2v3 if needed)
• Facilitators can suggest player movement between games (not during) to help balance team

👉 We strongly recommend first aid provision is available at every matchday

❗ Please note

• NO substitutes
• NO results recorded or submitted to the league
• NO referees
• NO goalkeepers

🔗 More Information

For full FutureFit guidance and resources, visit: https://futurefit.englandfootball.com/futurefit/

For the coaching roadshow, visit: https://events.ringcentral.com/events/futurefit-digital-conference-coaches
Let’s work together to make this a positive step forward for grassroots football and keeping the focus where it belongs, on the players.