For parents
Football age groups explained: which group will my child play in?
How Under 6 to Under 12 work in English grassroots football, and the match format at each age.
In English youth football, a child's age group is set by their age on 31 August at the start of the season. A child who is 7 on that date plays Under 8 for the whole season, even after a birthday.
The FA recommends a match format for each age. Under 7 and Under 8 play 5v5, Under 9 and Under 10 play 7v7, and Under 11 and Under 12 play 9v9. Full 11-a-side football starts at Under 13.
At FC Alpha Academy we run five groups. Under 6 is for ages 4 to 6, where football is play and lots of ball time. Under 7 is for ages 6 and 7, Under 8 for ages 7 and 8, Under 10 & 11 for ages 9 to 11, and Under 12 for ages 11 and 12. Our Under 10 & 11 group plays 7-a-side.
Smaller teams on smaller pitches mean more touches, more decisions and more fun. As children grow, the pitch, the goals and the team size grow with them.
Not sure where your child fits? Send us their age on WhatsApp and we will place them in the right group for their first, free session.
