Skip to main content
    Away Day Parent

    Under 14s Football

    12–13 years old · 11v11 format · Game Understanding into Performance — strength on the ball, defensive 1v1 mastery

    By the Away Day Parent editorial team · Last reviewed · Editorial process

    Under 14s rules in brief: U14 football is played 11v11 on a 90×55 yards pitch with a Size 4 ball, 35-minute halves, and full offside law.

    What are the Under 14s rules? U14 format at a glance

    Format
    11v11
    Pitch size
    90×55 yards (82×50 m)
    Goal size
    21×7 ft
    Ball size
    Size 4
    Match length
    35-minute halves (70 mins total)
    Offside
    Full offside applies
    Retreat line
    No
    Heading allowed
    Yes (with FA limits)

    U14 key facts

    • U14 is played 11v11 on a 90×55 yards (82×50 m).
    • Matches are 35-minute halves (70 mins total), with a Size 4 ball.
    • U14 uses full offside law.
    • Heading is permitted in matches, with FA limits on training at U14.

    Source: The Football Association.

    Under 14s — what to expect

    U14 continues 11v11. Pitch dimensions, ball size, and goal size are unchanged from U13. Maturation differences between players are at their widest here — bio-banding is increasingly common at academy level to balance development.

    The FA's development phase for Under 14s is Game Understanding into Performance — strength on the ball, defensive 1v1 mastery. 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.

    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 14s

    If this is your child's first season at U14, start with our first match guide covering kit, arrival times, and matchday etiquette, and our kit checklist for what they actually need. The U14 11v11 format is explained alongside every other stage in our football formats guide.

    Common questions at U14: 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 U14 football near you

    Clubs offering U14

    Filter our 3,300+ grassroots clubs by age group and region.

    Leagues catering for U14

    Browse 400+ youth leagues across England, Scotland, Wales and NI.

    Away day grounds

    Parking, facilities, and parent tips for 950+ youth football grounds.

    Pathway from U14

    How U14 fits into the FA development pathway to senior football.

    ← Previous age group

    Under 13s

    11v11 · Game Understanding — full pitch awareness, role specialisation, set-piece routines

    Next age group →

    Under 15s

    11v11 · Performance phase — tactical complexity, physical preparation, role mastery