3v3 Goals For Under-7s Football

The Football Association in England is shaking up how the youngest footballers begin their journey in the sport. The 3v3 small-sided game format for Under-7s as part of the FA’s Future Fit initiative, a strategy designed to make football more engaging, developmental and fun for children aged six and seven.

The 3v3 game format will allow:

• More ball contact: Fewer players mean each child gets more touches, boosting confidence and ball control.
• Decision making & creativity: With open space and more frequent transitions, players make more decisions — passing, dribbling and scoring without being overwhelmed.
• Fun and continued participation: At this age, enjoyment and a love of the game are key drivers of long-term engagement.

Importantly, 3v3 games are non-competitive in nature, focusing on development rather than league tables or results.

Goal Size Matters

A key practical element of this new format is appropriate goals, small enough for the players and the pitch size, but big enough to keep scoring exciting.

The official recommendations from FA guidance and suppliers active in the grassroots game are: 120 cm (4 ft) wide × 75 cm (2.5 ft) high.

These compact goals are designed to encourage accuracy and technique in shooting rather than raw power, a key focus for skill development for younger players. Lightweight and portable goals also mean coaches can set up and take down pitches quickly, fostering more play and less prep time.