When I first heard about the FA’s new grassroots initiative, I’ll admit, I paused. Like many of you, I grew up with the traditional game, big pitches, big teams, and the thrill of 11v11. So, the idea of three-a-side football for the youngest players? It felt like a big shift. But then I thought about what really matters at those early stages. It’s not tactics or formations, it’s joy. It’s confidence. It’s the spark that makes a child want to play again tomorrow. And that’s where 3v3 shines. It’s not about replacing football as we know it, it’s about creating the best possible start for kids who are just beginning their football journey.
Why Change – and Why Change Now?
From the 2026/27 season, the FA will introduce a new framework called FutureFit, designed to make the game better suited to children’s age and stage of development. It’s a shift that’s been a long time coming, and it’s backed by research and hundreds of trial matches. The aim is simple – more touches, more involvement, more joy. For years, youth football has often looked like a scaled-down version of the adult game: big teams, crowded pitches, and long periods where kids barely touch the ball. FutureFit sets its stall out to change that. And at Family F.C., after much discussion amongst our coaching team, we welcome it. Why? Because it aligns with what we’ve always believed, that football should be for every child, not just the ones who stand out early.
A Coach’s View from the Ground
To understand what this means in practice, I spoke at length with Matt Gale, our Head Coach. Matt has spent over a decade working in schools, foundations, and academies, and he’s helped shape our philosophy from day one. His verdict? “Overall, these are positive changes,” he told me. “It should mean that all children, not just the ‘strongest’ get more time on the pitch, and a better chance to enjoy and improve at football.” That matters. Because when kids feel involved, they stay in the game. And when they stay in the game, they grow, not just as players, but as people.
Matt Gale, Family F.C. Head Coach
More Touches, More Confidence
Matt explained something that really stuck with me: “Research proves the amount of touches on the ball and actions taken increase massively in smaller-sided formats. That makes for more competent players who can enjoy the game for longer.” Drop-out rates in teenage years are a real issue. Too many kids walk away because they feel sidelined or labelled too early. Giving every child more time on the ball isn’t just good coaching, it’s good for the soul of the game.
No Goalkeepers. And Why That’s a Good Thing
One of the most talked-about changes is removing goalkeepers in 3v3. For some parents, that feels odd. But Matt sees a clear benefit. “It stops coaches pigeon-holing kids into positions too soon. A seven-year-old goalkeeper might not grow into the physical build of a keeper by the time they are fourteen, or they might simply change their mind and want to play as a midfield dynamo instead. These changes give children the freedom and competencies to explore outfield positions as well.” In other words, 3v3 isn’t just about technical skills, it’s about freedom. Freedom to explore, to try, to fail, and to grow.
The Challenges We Need to Face
Of course, no one’s pretending this will be easy. Parents will need reassurance. For some, the energy of match day, the excitement of seeing their child score or save in a “proper” team is a big part of that experience. Hearing that U7s will now play 3v3 without goalkeepers may feel underwhelming, or even confusing. Matt is realistic about this, “Changes are likely going to frustrate parents who want the ‘match experience.’ Coaches are focused on developing better players, but both sides probably have a different perspective. We’ll need to adapt together.” And then there are practical challenges with finding more small pitches, more flexible schedules, more volunteers. Clubs will need to adapt, and leagues will need to rethink. But these aren’t insurmountable. We’ve seen grassroots setups manage similar logistics for 5v5 festivals. With creativity and support, this can work.
Image source: England Football
Flexibility Is Key
Flexibility and the Bigger Picture
FutureFit sets the stage, but it’s the coaching, communication, and creativity around it that will make it work. Matt Gale believes the changes are positive, but also asks us to remember that…“3v3 is fantastic for ball mastery and technical skills,” he told me, “but kids also need formats like 4v4 and 5v5 to learn positioning, support play, and decision-making. Coaches need the freedom to adapt because one size never fits all.” This flexibility matters because the FA’s new formats go all the way up to U15, which is a move that could help keep grassroots teams alive. Smaller-sided formats mean smaller squads, and that could be the difference between a team folding or staying together. For Matt, it’s about building pathways that keep players playing, from their first kick to their teenage years and beyond.
Creating Pathways That Keep Players Playing
FutureFit is aimed at giving younger children a better start, but Matt believes it also shines a light on deeper issues in the game. The FA’s new formats stretch all the way to U15, and that could be a lifeline for grassroots clubs. “These changes are good for the early years,” Matt told me, “but they highlight something bigger. We need to think about what happens later, because too many teenagers and adults are dropping out of football.” Why? It’s not about older kids losing their passion for the game, it’s about the practicalities around getting organised and a getting a full team out. Right now, most players beyond the Family F.C. age range face three options; either they join a five-a-side league at a local centre, an 11-a-side amateur league, or settle for the occasional kickabout. For many, none of these options work. “One of the biggest issues is teams folding because they can’t get 11 players out every week,” Matt argues. “Smaller-sided formats mean smaller squads, and that could mean more teams staying together and more kids staying in the game.”
Our Role at Family F.C.
The FA’s director of football development, James Kendall, said: “Our approach is very much about evolution, not revolution.” That’s exactly how we see it too. We’re operating at the roots of grassroots, at the family level. Family F.C. is about supporting parents, providing guidance on creating positive environments, reducing children’s stress, and keeping the focus on fun and development and not just results.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the size of the team, it’s about the size of the smile. And if the FutureFit initiative helps put more smiles on more faces, then we’re all winning.
Final Thought
Change can feel uncomfortable. But the heart of this initiative, and the heart of Family F.C., is the same: helping kids fall in love with football in a way that builds confidence, friendships, and lifelong memories.
Smaller-sided football isn’t just a trend. It’s a future where every child gets a chance to play, learn, and love the game. And that’s something worth cheering for.
