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Girls' & Women's Football
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GIRLS UNDER-7 AND UNDER-9 PLAYER PATHWAY

DESIRE TO PLAY

AGE RANGE: UNDER-7 & UNDER-9
FORMAT: 4 V 4 AND 5 V 5

In the 4 v 4 format for girls under-7, a size 3 ball is used on a small pitch (30m by 20m) with small goals and no goalkeepers. A size 3 ball is also used in the 5 v 5 format for  under-9s where the goal size is increased and a goalkeeper is added. Games played at this stage should be 10 to15 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

GIRLS UNDER-7 & UNDER-9 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 to 15 minute games with a maximum of four games

UNDER-11 & UNDER-13s

UNDER-15s & OVER

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