Youth football formats by age: 5v5, 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11
A quick guide to how many players are on the pitch at each age in English youth football.
The usual formats
In England, the youngest age groups usually play 5v5, moving to 7v7, then 9v9, then 11v11 as they get older. Exact ages and match lengths depend on your league.
Why squad size matters
The bigger your squad compared with the number on the pitch, the more time each child spends on the bench. A squad of 10 for 7v7 means everyone sits out about 30% of the game.
Plan for it
Use the fair minutes calculator to see what each player should get with your squad size and format.
Let Roll On do the maths
Fair rotas, sub alerts and minutes across the season, on your phone.