6 - 8 YEARS OLD PLAYER PATHWAY

Desire to play

Age range: 6 - 8 years
Format: 4 v 4 and 5 v 5

Players who are 6 years old should play 4 v 4 using a size 3 ball on a small pitch (30m by 20m) with small goals and no goalkeepers. Players who are 7 and 8 years of age should play the 5 v 5 format where the goal size is increased and a goalkeeper is added. Games played at this stage should be 10-15 minutes in duration with a maximum of four games to be played on a festival basis.

The driving philosophy of this stage

• Learning to love the game
• Learning to move

Objectives

• To provide physical activity, develop physical literacy and basic skills within children, through football participation.
• Skills will be delivered through programmes centred around games-based and FUN (Foundation, Understanding, Nurturing) activities, with 100% involvement at all times.
• Football 4s, Super 5s festivals and Development 4s that will allow the opportunity to express enjoyment and develop skills through games.

Reasons for 4 v 4 & 5 v 5

• More touches of the ball
• Dealing with the ball
• Simpler game
• More attacking 1 v 1 situations and chances to score
• Improved decision making
• Improved confidence
• Being brave with and without the ball
• Freedom of expression

6 - 8 Year Olds Overview

• Fun based activity only
• Festival basis – trophy free – multi game model
• Simple rules – no offside, kick-ins, rolling subs
• Size 3 ball
• Runs March to November
• 10 to15 minute games with a maximum of four games