LET'S KICK THINGS OFF.

You’re in the right place. Let’s make your child’s first season one to remember.

LET'S TAKE THE FIRST STEPS TOGETHER.

Getting ready for your first season is easy with our handy guides. Let’s take a look.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Training is where all the fun begins. Learning skills, making friends, and having fun. Your first training session can be a big step for children and adults, but your club will make it easy to get going. The key thing to remember is that clubs and coaches are there to help you. They will usually begin with introductions and fun activities to help children settle in and get to know one another. There’s no such thing as a silly question so don’t be afraid to speak to a coach or volunteer when you arrive, they will be happy to help.

KIT YOURSELF OUT

Football is one of those great sports that requires very little equipment. Take a look at the list below to work out what you need. You can find everything you need in high street sports shops, online, or second-hand. If you aren’t sure which surface you are playing on, reach out to your club for guidance.

  • Loose-fitting clothing that allows children to move freely, such as a pair of shorts and a t-shirt or jumper.
  • A water bottle.
  • Full-size shin pads and knee-length socks.
  • For indoor football, wear flat-soled or ‘futsal’ shoes.
  • For grass pitches, use boots with metal or plastic studs.
  • For 3G or artificial pitches, Artificial Grass (AG) boots are the best option. These help prevent injury, and reduce wear on the pitch. Moulded plastic studs (Firm Ground or FG boots) are also acceptable. Avoid flat-soled or dimpled trainers, as they provide less grip. Metal studs or bladed boots aren’t allowed, as these increase the risk of injury and can damage the pitch.

MAGIC MATCH DAYS

Matchdays are the thing every footballer looks forward to the most, they’re totally magic! The anticipation, the special kit, the chance to show off your new skills with your family cheering you on. But don’t forget all that nervous excitement can sometimes get a bit overwhelming. Remember to keep things chilled in the run up to the game. We ask all players to ‘respect the standard’ by showing inclusivity, positivity, and teamwork. For adults, that means staying relaxed around your children, talking about stuff other than football, and reminding them the most important thing is to have fun.

HOW WE PLAY

We are all about putting the ‘play’ into playing football. Youth football now emphasises enjoyment, experimentation, and expression above anything competitive. Studies show that children learn far quicker by having fun, so clubs and coaches will create an environment where children feel comfortable and free. Don’t be alarmed if you see lots of silly games, hear lots of laughter, and catch children doing their own thing: it’s all about accelerating their development as people and footballers.

3v3

WHY 3v3?

We’re always looking for inspiration to improve things for our young players. Over half the European nations we have researched have successfully moved to 3v3 for under 7s and we already use the format in our specialist talent pathways. Research shows it encourages more physical activity and increases technical actions, meaning more touches on the ball and more excitement on the pitch for every player.

SETTING UP

Adapting to 3v3 is a piece of cake. In fact, coaches can fit up to four 3v3 pitches on a regular 5v5 pitch. We play with a smaller ball (size 3), which is great for learning those tricky technical skills. Each game lasts 6-10 minutes, and with each child playing multiple games you’ll average about 30-40 minutes of game time. What’s more, there’s no need for a referee, just one adult facilitator per pitch to ensure things run smoothly.

GAME ON

3v3 is fast and full of fun. There are no throw-ins, keepers, heading, subs, or penalty kicks, so it’s super simple to learn. Coaches will also regularly mix up the teams to keep everyone on their toes. Games are an opportunity for kids to practice new skills and challenge themselves against others who are learning the game, it’s not all about who scores the most!

ADULTS AND 3v3

We encourage parents and carers to stay and support their children whenever they can. However, as 3v3 is non-competitive it’s best if parents have very minimal input during games so the players can express themselves and make mistakes without distractions. After each game the supporters can give everyone a big cheer to inspire the teams as they move on to their next game.

MEET YOUR NEW FOOTBALL FAMILY.

Everyone needs a little encouragement and reassurance from time to time. Take some inspiration from families who have already started their journey

“The coaches are so fun, they have the children rolling around with laughter!”
“It gave my child confidence from the very first session.”
“We felt welcome straight away — it really does feel like a family.”
“When I play 3v3 football, I feel happy. It is really fun and you do move around a lot.”
“We make lots of friends.”

WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK.

Football should be a safe space for everyone involved. Here’s how we’re making football more fun and inclusive than ever before.

RESPECT

Football is a game for everyone. You may have read about how children can ‘respect the standard’ on the pitch, but adults can do their bit to help make the game more inclusive and enjoyable too. The Grassroots Code reminds us that creating positive environments is everyone’s responsibility. It’s about helping others to do things in a way they feel comfortable, and changing your approach a little bit to suit them. It could be something as simple as your language, the tone of your voice, or teaching your children to respect each other and their coaches. Look out for opportunities to learn more as we roll out training for clubs and parents to help us all move forward together. Small, meaningful choices help keep football safe, fair and welcoming for everyone.

SAFEGUARDING

We can all play our part making football a place where every child feels welcomed, listened to, and able to enjoy the game. Here’s some easy steps adults can take to keep young footballers happy and safe.

  • Get to know your child’s coaches.
  • Find out who the Club Welfare Officer is and save their contact details.
  • Clubs should have appropriate safeguarding arrangements in place, including DBS checks where required, safeguarding training and a Code of Conduct. Don’t be afraid to ask how your club keeps children safe.
  • Keep talking with your child about their experience, what they enjoy and whether anything doesn’t feel right.
  • Speak to your club welfare officer if you have a concern who can advise on next steps.

OUR CHILD-FIRST ETHOS

We always put children first. By joining our football community we expect parents to join us in championing children’s rights and promoting a love of the game. That means listening to their views, helping them feel safe and included, and remembering that every child experiences football differently. We also want everyone to join us in respecting ‘the spirit of the game’. That means playing fairly, trying your best, and recognising that football is a voluntary shared experience that needs us all to play our part. With our child-first ethos we can:

  • Inspire a lifelong love of the game.
  • Let children feel the joy of being active.
  • Create the conditions to produce more skilful players.
  • Help children develop as people, on and off the pitch.

GET STUCK IN.

It doesn’t matter if you and your child are new to the game, the football community is excited to have you on-board. We can’t wait to see what football has in store for your family!

Are you ready?

Top Built with Shorthand