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5, 6, 7 or 11-a-side?

Top-down view of a five-a-side cage pitch with players marked in orange and blue
Small pitches mean more touches for everyone.

Not every game needs a full-size pitch and 22 players. Small-sided football is easier to organise, cheaper to book and gives everyone more touches of the ball. Which format suits your group depends mainly on how many people you can get each week.

Pick your format

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Why small-sided works

With fewer players on a smaller pitch, everybody is involved: more passes, more shots, more goals and more chances to defend. That is why youth football in many countries starts with small formats before moving to 11-a-side.

A player shooting at a full-size goal in a daytime stadium
Full size is a different game – 22 players and a lot more running.

Rules that change

  • Offside is usually not used in 5 and 6-a-side.
  • Kick-ins or roll-ins sometimes replace throw-ins, and some venues have a height rule for the ball.
  • Rolling substitutions are common: players swap on and off at any time.

Venues and leagues have their own house rules, so agree on them before kick-off.