Under 12s Football
10–11 years old · 9v9 format · Game Understanding — pressing triggers, positional discipline, transitions
Under 12s rules in brief: U12 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 12s rules? U12 format at a glance
U12 key facts
- U12 is played 9v9 on a 80×50 yards (73×46 m).
- Matches are 30-minute halves (60 mins total), with a Size 4 ball.
- U12 uses full offside law.
- Heading is not permitted, per FA guidance at U12.
Source: The Football Association.
Under 12s — what to expect
U12 continues 9v9. FA heading guidelines limit training-ground heading to a maximum of 1 session per month, with a maximum of 5 headers per player per session. Full offside applies and the retreat line is gone.
The FA's development phase for Under 12s is Game Understanding — pressing triggers, positional discipline, transitions. 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 U12?
No — the FA prohibits heading at U12 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 12s
If this is your child's first season at U12, start with our first match guide covering kit, arrival times, and matchday etiquette, and our kit checklist for what they actually need. The U12 9v9 format is explained alongside every other stage in our football formats guide.
Common questions at U12: 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 U12 football near you
Clubs offering U12
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Pathway from U12
How U12 fits into the FA development pathway to senior football.