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    Away Day Parent

    Under 15s Football

    13–14 years old · 11v11 format · Performance phase — tactical complexity, physical preparation, role mastery

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

    Under 15s rules in brief: U15 football is played 11v11 on a 100×60 yards pitch with a Size 5 ball, 40-minute halves, and full offside law.

    What are the Under 15s rules? U15 format at a glance

    Format
    11v11
    Pitch size
    100×60 yards (91×55 m)
    Goal size
    24×8 ft (full-size)
    Ball size
    Size 5
    Match length
    40-minute halves (80 mins total)
    Offside
    Full offside applies
    Retreat line
    No
    Heading allowed
    Yes (with FA limits)

    U15 key facts

    • U15 is played 11v11 on a 100×60 yards (91×55 m).
    • Matches are 40-minute halves (80 mins total), with a Size 5 ball.
    • U15 uses full offside law.
    • Heading is permitted in matches, with FA limits on training at U15.

    Source: The Football Association.

    Under 15s — what to expect

    U15 steps up to a Size 5 (adult) ball, a longer pitch and full-size goals. Match length extends to 40-minute halves. FA heading guidance allows up to 1 session per week with a maximum 10 headers per player per session.

    The FA's development phase for Under 15s is Performance phase — tactical complexity, physical preparation, role 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 15s

    If this is your child's first season at U15, start with our first match guide covering kit, arrival times, and matchday etiquette, and our kit checklist for what they actually need. The U15 11v11 format is explained alongside every other stage in our football formats guide.

    Common questions at U15: 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 U15 football near you

    Clubs offering U15

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

    Leagues catering for U15

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

    Away day grounds

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    Pathway from U15

    How U15 fits into the FA development pathway to senior football.

    ← Previous age group

    Under 14s

    11v11 · Game Understanding into Performance — strength on the ball, defensive 1v1 mastery

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    Under 16s

    11v11 · Performance phase — adult-game intensity, contract decisions, academic balance