5 Reason Why 3v3 Can Be Brilliant For Young Footballers

The English FA’s move to 3v3 at U7 from the start of the 2026/27 season is based on a simple idea: younger players develop better when they are more involved in the game. The FA says 3v3 is intended to give children more chances to learn, play, make decisions, score and stop goals.

That idea is supported by the wider small-sided games research. Across youth football, small-sided formats have been shown to improve technical and tactical behaviours, support aerobic development, and often create higher enjoyment than the larger formats.

One of the biggest benefits of 3v3 is simple: every child gets more football. The FA has previously reported that, in a 10-minute 3v3 game, each outfielder averaged 71 touches, compared with 57 in 5v5 and 37 in 7v7

Research also suggests that 3-a-side games can provide a stronger technical and physical stimulus than larger small-sided formats

With fewer players on the pitch, the game becomes easier to read but still challenging to solve. Young players get more repeated moments to decide when to pass, dribble, support, press or recover

Research comparing 3v3 and 6v6 in U11 players found that 3v3 produced more aggressive tactical behaviours – such as pressing high, forward passing/dribbling & direct 1v1 duels.

For those with a preferred “aggressive” style of play, 3v3’s support growth in this area

The FA specifically highlights that 3v3 gives young players more chances to score and stop goals.

For children, those extra attacking moments matter.

More shots, more near-misses and more goals can help players feel successful, involved and excited to keep playing.

This study shows that on average smaller games can encourage up to 260% more chances to score…and which 8 year old doesn’t like scoring?

With only two teammates, support options are clearer and everyone is harder to ignore. In practice, that often means players are happier to pass, move and give space because they know they are likely to stay involved in the next action.

Recent youth football research supports the idea that small-sided games can foster equitable participation.

Enjoyment matters, especially at young ages. If children enjoy the game, they are more likely to engage, persist and come back next week.

Studies comparing small-sided games with interval training found similar conditioning outcomes but higher physical enjoyment in the small-sided game groups.

3v3 gives young players more of the moments that help them improve: more touches, more decisions, more teamwork, more chances to score and more enjoyment.

This article is a shortened version of our members guide , 10 Street-Style 3v3 Games That Accelerate Player Development.  The guide contains further detailed exploration of the points provided, as well as a downloadable pdf of 10 games that you can use in your training immediately.

Sign up for a Taster Membership to access it now

2 Teams of 3.  Team A has 3 outfield players and defends the small goal.  Team B has 2 outfield players and a GK, defending the big goal

Questions to ask

How can you make the most of the 3v2?

What ways can you use the GK to get past the opponents?

What is the best way to defend?

2 Teams of 3.  Both team have 2 goals to defend and 2 goals to score in

Potential Variations

Left goal = left foot finish, right goal = right foot finish

Different size goals.  Players can use any foot for the smaller one and their non-preferred foot to score in the larger goal

Make the pitch wide/short to encourage the benefits of width

4 Teams of 3 playing on the same pitch.  2 teams play North-South, the other 2 play East-West

Potential Variations

Change the type of target (goal, multiple goals, lines, target player)

If your players need more space, start with 2v2 outfield and a GK

Change the dynamics of the pitch