Under 11s Football
9–10 years old · 9v9 format · Skill Acquisition into Game Understanding — formation play, positional rotation
Under 11s rules in brief: U11 football is played 9v9 on a 80×50 yards pitch with a Size 4 ball, 30-minute halves, and full offside law.
What are the Under 11s rules? U11 format at a glance
U11 key facts
- U11 is played 9v9 on a 80×50 yards (73×46 m).
- Matches are 30-minute halves (60 mins total), with a Size 4 ball.
- U11 uses full offside law.
- Heading is not permitted, per FA guidance at U11.
Source: The Football Association.
Under 11s — what to expect
U11 introduces 9v9 with a bigger pitch and full offside law. The retreat line is removed. Heading is still prohibited in training but allowed in matches only when unavoidable. This is the first season many clubs introduce a recognisable formation (typically 3-3-2 or 3-2-3).
The FA's development phase for Under 11s is Skill Acquisition into Game Understanding — formation play, positional rotation. That means training sessions should weight ball mastery, decision-making, and enjoyment over tactical complexity, with progressively more game-realistic small-sided practices as players move through the season.
Is heading allowed at U11?
No — the FA prohibits heading at U11 level in both training and matches. This follows research linking repeated youth heading to long-term neurological risk. See our safeguarding hub for the full FA heading guidelines by age.
Season & bank holidays (England & Wales)
Upcoming bank holidays can affect fixtures and training — check with your club before travelling.
- Fri, 25 Dec 2026 — Christmas Day
- Mon, 28 Dec 2026 — Boxing Day
- Fri, 1 Jan 2027 — New Year’s Day
- Fri, 26 Mar 2027 — Good Friday
For parents of Under 11s
If this is your child's first season at U11, start with our first match guide covering kit, arrival times, and matchday etiquette, and our kit checklist for what they actually need. The U11 9v9 format is explained alongside every other stage in our football formats guide.
Common questions at U11: how much should my child train each week? When should I let them play in goal? What if they aren't enjoying it? See our advice hub and FAQ for age-appropriate guidance.
Find U11 football near you
Clubs offering U11
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Leagues catering for U11
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Pathway from U11
How U11 fits into the FA development pathway to senior football.