Which ages play 9v9?
US Soccer makes 9v9 the maximum format for U11–U12. The England FA puts it a year later, at U12–U13, from the 2026/27 season. Both call these ceilings, so a group of that age can still play a smaller format.
| 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 9v9 at a glance
- Pitch: 73 × 46 m recommended (length × width), 64 × 37 m minimum, 73 × 46 m maximum.
- Goals: 16 × 7 ft.
- Goalkeepers: yes. Offside: introduced at 9v9. Heading: allowed.
Reading the numbers: 1-3-2-3 or 3-2-3?
The same shape gets written two ways, and the leading 1 is the difference.
- US Soccer's 9v9 example: 1-3-2-3 → 3-2-3 on Tactico's board
- England FA example: 1-3-3-2 → 3-3-2 on Tactico's board
- England FA example: 1-4-3-1 → 4-3-1 on Tactico's board
US Soccer and the FA count the goalkeeper first, so a 9v9 shape adds up to nine. Tactico's board counts outfield players only, so the same shape adds up to eight; drop the leading 1 to convert.
Both bodies treat their shapes as examples. US Soccer says other formations may be used, and the FA offers its two as formations you can use.
3-2-3: two blocks of four
- US Soccer example (1-3-2-3)
US Soccer sets this shape up as two blocks of four: a back block of three defenders and one midfielder, and a front block of the other midfielder and three forwards. The two midfielders are staggered, one with the more attacking job and one deeper, so each block has a link into the other. The three forwards, one central and two wide, give the team its width at the top of the pitch, while the outside defenders help create passing options from the back. The thing to watch is the gap between the blocks: when the front three go forward and the back block stays, two midfielders are left covering the space between them. The shape works when the blocks move together, and it falls apart when they don't.
Coaching cueTwo blocks of four: when one block moves up, the other follows.
On the board: set Match size to 9v9, then pick 3-2-3 (a Pro preset; on the free board, drag players into the shape).
3-3-2: a back three, a midfield three, two forwards
- England FA example (1-3-3-2)
Three defenders sit behind a midfield three, with two forwards ahead of them. Most of the width comes from the two wide midfielders, so the outside defenders can stay narrower and closer to the central defender. The central midfielder is the link between the back three and the front two and is involved in everything, which makes it the pressure point: if both wide midfielders push up together, that player is alone in the middle. The two forwards have to work as a pair, one dropping to receive while the other runs beyond; without that, they stand together and the midfield has nobody to play to.
Coaching cueWide midfielders: when one pushes up, the other stays level with the middle.
On the board: set Match size to 9v9, then pick 3-3-2 (a Pro preset; on the free board, drag players into the shape).
4-3-1: a flat back four and a lone forward
- England FA example (1-4-3-1)
A flat back four covers the width of the pitch on its own, so the midfield three can stay compact and central, and the team is hard to get around. The cost is attackers: with four defenders and three midfielders there is one forward, and the team relies on midfielders arriving late to support. In possession the outside backs have to step forward to give the width, otherwise the ball has nowhere to go but through the middle. The usual fault is a back four that stays deep while the midfield moves up, which leaves a gap for the opposition to play into.
Coaching cueOutside backs: step up when the ball is on your side, tuck in when it is on the far side.
On the board: set Match size to 9v9, then pick 4-3-1 (a Pro preset; on the free board, drag players into the shape).
2-3-3: two defenders and six players ahead of the ball
- Not in the US Soccer or FA examples
Two defenders, three midfielders and three forwards: an attacking shape that puts six players ahead of the ball. The width comes from the forwards, one central and two wide, which lets the midfield three stay narrow and support. Everything depends on the back two, who have to cover the full width of the pitch between them and be comfortable on the ball, because there is no spare defender. The weak moment is losing the ball: with six players ahead of it, the nearest midfielder has to drop straight back or the two defenders face the counter with no cover. It suits a group whose defenders are among its most confident players.
Coaching cueNearest midfielder drops the moment we lose the ball.
On the board: set Match size to 9v9, then pick 2-3-3 (a Pro preset; on the free board, drag players into the shape).
Choosing between the four
At 9v9 the shape decides where the width comes from, so start there.
- Width from three forwards: 3-2-3. Two blocks of four is an easy picture to give a group, and the front three set the width.
- Width from the midfield: 3-3-2. The wide midfielders carry the width and the back three can stay compact.
- A back line that covers the pitch on its own: 4-3-1, accepting a lone forward and midfielders who arrive late.
- Confident defenders and a squad that wants to attack: 2-3-3, with the nearest-midfielder-drops rule from the start.
- Rotate positions. The FA's 9v9 guidance suggests letting players try different positions.
Try them on the Tactico board: set Match size to 9v9 and move the lines to see where the gaps open. Coming up from 7v7? The 7v7 guide covers the step before.
9v9 questions
What ages play 9v9?
US Soccer's maximum format for U11–U12 is 9v9. For the England FA it is U12–U13, from the 2026/27 season. Both bodies give these as maximums, so a team can play a smaller format at those ages.
What is the official 9v9 formation?
Neither body mandates a single shape. US Soccer's example is 1-3-2-3 (3-2-3 on the board) and it says other formations may be used. The FA shows 1-3-3-2 (3-3-2) and 1-4-3-1 (4-3-1).
How big is a 9v9 pitch?
The England FA recommends 73 × 46 metres (length × width), with a minimum of 64 × 37 and a maximum of 73 × 46, and goals of 16 × 7 feet. This page does not quote US field sizes.
What changes between 7v7 and 9v9?
US Soccer says 9v9 adds new roles on the wings. In the England FA's version, offside is introduced and heading is allowed at 9v9; neither exists at 7v7.
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
- US Soccer: U11-U12 9v9 formation (1-3-2-3)
- 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 Learning: How to play and manage 9v9 games
- England FA Learning: How to play and manage 7v7 games