[Football] Youth football changes teased by FA.

Peacehaven Wild Kids said:

The biggest change I want to see is arse’ol coaches and even bigger feckin arse’ol parents laying off refs especially teenage refs!!


Sorry …..carry on….

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Bry Nylon said:

As a coach involved in youth football, the FA aren't fit for purpose when it comes to administering youth football and the game would be far better if they just pissed off.

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chaileyjem said:

For the many youth football coaches on NSC - dont know if you've seen that the FA have teased some material changes to the formats of youth football starting in 26/27.
I think it looks like the biggest change since they went to 5v5, 7v7, 9v9, and 11 v 11 about a decade ago. Although they insist its "evolution not revolution".
The trend is more small sized football anyway so maybe some further tweaks encouraging small size play are coming. They say they are going to announce the changes in 2025.

FA update on the future of youth football in England

Read more

www.englandfootball.com

Interesting that in Germany - which might be a clue as to what is coming down the line - they've gone even further in terms of small sized formats 3 v 3 and multiple goals, no goalkeepers etc for very young ages.

Training Ground Guru | Germany revolutionises foundation age formats with emphasis on fun

GERMANY has launched new regulations that will transform the way football is played by Under-11s in the country.

archive.trainingground.guru

Does anyone have any clue as to what is planned ?

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chaileyjem said:

But this is more about the football side of things rather than behaviour and making changes to support better development of young players.

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Sarisbury Seagull said:

Yes. Apparently the main ones are:

- 3v3 Samba style football for under 6’s and under 7’s
- 5 aside will now be for under 8’s and under 9’s
- 7 aside will now be for under 10’s and under 11’s
- 9 aside will now be for under 12, under 13 and under 14
- 11 aside will not now start until under 15.

As someone who works with under 7’s up to under 12’s, I must say I think the changes are unnecessary. I think the current system works perfectly well and and we’ve seen the successes of our England youth teams and academies in recent years. The standard of youth football in this country is incredible and miles ahead of where it was when I was playing in academies in the late 90’s. The standard of coaching has improved dramatically.

They’re not huge changes but do seem a bit change for change sake. 5 aside still for under 9’s is a bit silly, they’re beyond that and likewise, at under 11, they’re beyond 7 aside. There is also speculation they might drop 9 aside altogether eventually which I think would be a real shame as it’s my favourite format. It’s a great bridge for the kids going from the entry level 5/7 aside games to full 11 aside.

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Sarisbury Seagull said:

Yes. Apparently the main ones are:

- 3v3 Samba style football for under 6’s and under 7’s
- 5 aside will now be for under 8’s and under 9’s
- 7 aside will now be for under 10’s and under 11’s
- 9 aside will now be for under 12, under 13 and under 14
- 11 aside will not now start until under 15.

As someone who works with under 7’s up to under 12’s, I must say I think the changes are unnecessary. I think the current system works perfectly well and and we’ve seen the successes of our England youth teams and academies in recent years. The standard of youth football in this country is incredible and miles ahead of where it was when I was playing in academies in the late 90’s. The standard of coaching has improved dramatically.

They’re not huge changes but do seem a bit change for change sake. 5 aside still for under 9’s is a bit silly, they’re beyond that and likewise, at under 11, they’re beyond 7 aside. There is also speculation they might drop 9 aside altogether eventually which I think would be a real shame as it’s my favourite format. It’s a great bridge for the kids going from the entry level 5/7 aside games to full 11 aside.

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Curious Orange said:

Having seen Junior Orange progress through the current system all the way up to 11v11 I'd say it isn't really broken. Each change in format has it's challenges but they don't take long to get over and give a natural progression.

I'd need to hear more about the 3v3 format, but my initial thoughts are about whether it gives children enough playing time to get them (and their parents) hooked. Nobody gets better at playing without match time.

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Guinness Boy said:

No idea what's planned but I hope it's small sided games, even more focus on fun and skill development, lots of time on the ball - all speaks to me very well.

Unfortunately, as many of us current or former coaches know, there are always going to be a cohort of parents who think that young Junior is going to buy them a mansion by the time he's 19 just because he can shoot straight and that anything other than competitive 11-a-side, with the team winning every week, is a waste of time.

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Stumpy Tim said:

My son scored ten on his debut at U7 level, and I had basically picked the mansion. Seven years on and it's safe to say, I won't be buying that mansion

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Stumpy Tim said:

My son scored ten on his debut at U7 level, and I had basically picked the mansion. Seven years on and it's safe to say, I won't be buying that mansion

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Curious Orange said:

Junior Orange is well into double-figures for goals scored this season... but I won't be buying that mansion either.

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Right Brain Ronnie said:

What type of current or ex Albion player would you say junior is?
What age group?
How many matches has he played?

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Curious Orange said:

He's u13, and at the larger end of scale, so he is currently able to use his physicality in a Mike Small battering ram style.

His team have played 10 games this season. Ironically the only game they lost, and Junior didn't score in, was expunged as the team got put up a division.

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Right Brain Ronnie said:

Do you feel because of his size he is ready to play up an age group?
I have seen many bigger kids dominate their age group, personally I don't think it helps them or their team mates if they are allowed to dominate the ball.
I would move him up if he is comfortable with it.
It maybe that he will end up as a centre back unless he does have some twinkly Johnny Byrne feet on him.

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Guinness Boy said:

No idea what's planned but I hope it's small sided games, even more focus on fun and skill development, lots of time on the ball - all speaks to me very well.

Unfortunately, as many of us current or former coaches know, there are always going to be a cohort of parents who think that young Junior is going to buy them a mansion by the time he's 19 just because he can shoot straight and that anything other than competitive 11-a-side, with the team winning every week, is a waste of time.

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