Heading in football has been something of a hot topic in recent years. Things came to a head this year when the FA published new guidelines on the issue.  But despite the new rules, heading is still part and parcel of the game. And you can practice and improve this vital skill safely and in line with the FA’s guidance. ...

Football Pitch Size Guide: Football Pitch Size Explained Have you ever watched a football game on TV and thought about the official football pitch size for professional games? Some of the football pitch dimensions differ, depending on the club’s preferences and the size of the stadium, however, so the answer is not a simple one.  Asking “how big is a...

Children love to play and participate in sports — and they love spending quality time with their parents. By teaching your children how to play football, you can embrace both of these activities for unforgettable bonding experiences.  For young children, the priority must be fun. If your football coaching sessions aren’t fun, your children will quickly lose interest — maybe...

The football world stood up and took notice when the verdict of the 2002 inquest into the death of former England striker Jeff Astle was handed down. “Death by industrial disease” was the opinion of the coroner, and for the first time ever, a legal link between heading in football and long-term brain injury was established.  Astle was just 59...

Put a football at the feet of an 18-month-old toddler, and the chances are they’ll kick it. The beautiful game isn’t just a sport — it’s a human compulsion. Once that first ball has been kicked, there’s often no turning back.  But how do you channel that primal instinct into something more skillful? And how do you turn that first...

Scoring goals is what makes the beautiful game… well… beautiful. While there’s a certain beauty to a perfectly timed sliding tackle or a brave headed clearance, nothing beats the spectacle of a sweetly hit ball crashing into the back of the net.  Whatever your position, learning how to shoot effectively in all situations is crucial if you want to be...

The footballs used in organised games are graded in different sizes to suit different age groups. It makes sense that the ball that a young player would use will not be the same size as an adult. The size and weight of a ball are set out in the FA guidelines and followed by leagues and schools throughout the UK. How...

Buying a new football can be an exciting experience, but it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting. Not all footballs are the same.  Take the Size 5 football, for example. It’s the professional football for under-15s and older. If you’ve ever watched a Premier League match, you have seen this ball in action.  But what is different about the...

Money has never been tighter in grassroots football. Every penny counts, which makes maintaining pitches harder than ever. While you might not be responsible for the overall upkeep of the grassroots football pitch you use, you should still be aware of the basic principles involved. You can then play your part, and help to keep your pitch as healthy as...

Whether you are buying a match or training football you will need to choose the correct size. It stands to reason that different age groups should use different size footballs. What Size Are Size 3 Footballs? Footballs are available in 5 different sizes from Size 1 mini footballs to adult Size 5 footballs. A Size 3 football is used by...