Which ages play 5v5?
5v5 is the England FA's maximum format for U8–U9, from the 2026/27 season, and the FA says it keeps a crucial role at those ages. US Soccer's table lists 4v4, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 and does not list 5v5. Its note that smaller formats can be played at any age group makes 5v5 a smaller-format choice at U9–U10 (7v7 maximum), and above the US maximum at U7–U8 (4v4).
| Age group | US Soccer maximum | England FA maximum |
|---|---|---|
| U7 | 4v4 | 3v3 |
| U8 | 4v4 | 5v5 |
| U9 | 7v7 | 5v5 |
| U10 | 7v7 | 7v7 |
| U11 | 9v9 | 7v7 |
| U12 | 9v9 | 9v9 |
| U13 | 11v11 | 9v9 |
| U14–U16 | 11v11 | 11v11 |
England FA 5v5 at a glance
- Pitch: 37 × 27 m recommended (length × width), 27 × 18 m minimum, 37 × 27 m maximum.
- Goals: 12 × 6 ft.
- Goalkeepers: yes. Offside: none. Heading: not allowed.
Reading the numbers: 1-1-2-1 or 1-2-1?
At 5v5 the leading 1 is the goalkeeper, and a US Soccer shape with the same digits means something else.
- England FA example: 1-1-2-1 → 1-2-1 on Tactico's board
- England FA example: 1-2-2 → 2-2 on Tactico's board
The FA counts the goalkeeper first, so a 5v5 shape adds up to five. Tactico's board counts outfield players only, so it adds up to four; drop the leading 1 to convert.
US Soccer's 4v4 example is also called 1-2-1, but that format has no goalkeeper. All four players are outfield players, so there is nothing to drop: it is the same four-player diamond, just without a keeper behind it.
1-2-1: the diamond
- England FA example (1-1-2-1)
- US Soccer's 4v4 diamond (1-2-1, no goalkeeper)
One player at the back, one on each side and one at the top, so every outfield player can pass to each of the other three. US Soccer uses the same diamond at 4v4 and says it can help players learn about height, width and depth. The width comes from the two side players, while the player at the back is the only outfield defender, so that role is worth rotating often. The diamond collapses when everyone chases the ball, leaving four players in one clump and the width of the pitch unused. A back player who drifts up the pitch leaves the keeper alone.
Coaching cueFind your corner of the diamond (top, bottom, left, right) and come back to it.
On the board: set Match size to 5v5, then pick 1-2-1 (a Pro preset; on the free board, drag players into the shape).
2-2: two pairs
- England FA example (1-2-2)
Two defenders behind, two forwards ahead, and the pairing is the point: every player has an obvious partner, and the defenders share the width between them. Width in attack comes from the two forwards moving apart, since there are no midfielders to hold the sides. With nobody in the middle, the gap between the pairs is the shape's weak spot: the ball travels over it, or through a forward dropping into it. The usual fault is one pair stuck on one side of the pitch while the other side is empty.
Coaching cueStay in your pair: when one of you goes forward, the other stays back.
No preset for 2-2 yet: set Match size to 5v5 and drag the four outfield players into two pairs.
2-1-1: a column with a link player
- Not in the US Soccer or FA examples
Two defenders, a single midfielder and a forward in a column. The midfielder is the link between the back pair and the forward, which gives the team a straight passing lane and an obvious partner close to every player. Width comes from the two defenders, who need to spread to the sides when they have the ball. The cost is that one midfielder covers the whole middle, so a ball lost there exposes both ends. The usual fault is the link player standing in front of the defenders instead of between the lines, which leaves the forward alone.
Coaching cueLink player: stand where both the defenders and the forward can see you.
On the board: set Match size to 5v5, then pick 2-1-1 (a Pro preset; on the free board, drag players into the shape).
4v4 and 3v3, the formats below 5v5
The youngest ages play smaller games still, and both bodies publish what they look like.
- England FA, U7: 3v3 is introduced as the entry format from 2026/27. There are no goalkeepers and no offside, and the recommended pitch is 15 × 10 m with a 20 × 15 m maximum.
- US Soccer, U7–U8: 4v4 is the maximum format. US Soccer's example is a 1-2-1 diamond, and all four players attack and defend because there is no goalkeeper.
With three or four players there is little shape to choose between, so the shape cards on this page start at 5v5.
Choosing between the three
At 5v5 the useful question is what you want the group to learn first.
- Spacing and passing options: 1-2-1. Every player has a clear corner and a pass to each of the others.
- Partners and simple roles: 2-2. Each player has a partner, and the defenders and forwards each know their end.
- A link player: 2-1-1. Rotate the middle role often, because it is the busiest one.
- Whichever you pick, rotate positions. The FA's 5v5 guidance suggests letting players try different positions.
Try them on the Tactico board: set Match size to 5v5 and move the four outfield players to see how the spacing changes. When the group moves up, the 7v7 guide is the next step.
5v5 questions
What ages play 5v5?
In England, the FA's maximum format is 5v5 for U8–U9 from the 2026/27 season, and it says 5v5 keeps a crucial role at those ages. US Soccer's table lists 4v4, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 and does not list 5v5.
What formations do 5v5 teams use?
The FA's examples are 1-1-2-1 and 1-2-2, which are 1-2-1 and 2-2 when only outfield players are counted. US Soccer's 4v4 example is a 1-2-1 diamond with no goalkeeper.
How big is a 5v5 pitch?
The England FA recommends 37 × 27 metres (length × width), with a minimum of 27 × 18 and a maximum of 37 × 27, and goals of 12 × 6 feet. This page does not quote US field sizes.
Does 5v5 have a goalkeeper?
In the FA's 5v5, yes. Its 3v3 for U7s has no goalkeepers, and neither does US Soccer's 4v4, where all players attack and defend.
Sources
Every age band, shape and pitch size on this page comes from these pages, last checked 21 October 2026. Rules and formats change, so confirm with your own league.
- US Soccer: Game Formats
- US Soccer: Formations
- England FA (FutureFit): maximum permitted format by age group
- England FA (FutureFit): what are the changes in youth football?
- England FA (FutureFit): when are the changes happening?
- England FA (FutureFit): why 3v3, and what happens to 5v5?
- England FA Learning: How to play and manage 5v5 games
- England FA Learning: How to play and manage 3v3 games
- England FA (FutureFit): goalkeepers in 3v3