Joost Desender and LTPD: Game formats for youth football from U6 to U13

Introduction: Learn football with fun

For parents, coaches and young players who want to know how a child can learn football in a natural, playful way, Joost Desender's method provides a clear compass. Desender, a West Flemish youth developer and author, has specialized in the age group U6‑U13 and combines an intuitive game‑form approach with a physical planning that aligns with the biological development of each child. His motto – “Learning to play football while playing” – forms the common thread through all his work, including the publications Football is FUN: learning to play football while playing — U6‑U9 (2022) and The devil’s ‘football fun’ book (2003). In this article we dive deeper into the LTPD methodology, the role of game forms within the Belgian youth development system and give concrete tools for parents and coaches.

What is LTPD and why is it central?

LTPD stands for Age‑Simultaneous‑Progression‑Differentiation. The principle is simple but powerful: the training content is matched to the child's biological age, not to an abstract calendar year. In practice this means that the physical load, the complexity of tactical tasks and the technical demands all increase gradually, allowing a child to develop in a healthy way. Joost Desender has refined this approach into a signature method in which game forms are the engine. By repeatedly letting the children play in small, playful partitions, they learn technical skills and game insight without the pressure of a formal match.

The LTPD philosophy fits seamlessly with the broader Belgian development vision, which uses a standardized pyramid of game forms. This pyramid runs from 2‑against‑2 up to 11‑against‑11 and provides a clear framework for the gradual build‑up of game complexity. For a child in the U6‑U9 group this means the emphasis is on simple, fast game forms in which each player gets a lot of ball contact. As the child grows, the game forms become larger, the space bigger and the tactical demands more layered. LTPD ensures that this transition is not abrupt, but a natural progression that matches the child's physical and cognitive growth.

Game forms as learning tools: from 2v2 to 11v11

The core of Desender’s approach is the use of game forms. A game form is a bounded exercise with a clear task, a limited number of players per team and an adapted playing area. In the youngest age groups (U6‑U9) the focus is mainly on 2‑against‑2 or 3‑against‑3. These small teams ensure that each child frequently touches the ball, automatically practising technical skills such as dribbling, passing and shooting. Moreover, children learn early game insight this way: they must decide when to pass, when to shoot and how to create space for their teammate.

Around the age of U11‑U13 the transition to larger game forms (for example 5‑against‑5) is introduced. The emphasis remains on technique, but a first exposure to positional aspects appears. The game becomes more ‘realistic’, yet the anti‑star culture – a principle that prevents one player from dominating the entire match – is maintained. The anti‑star mentality is encouraged by using game forms where every player has a crucial role, forcing the team as a whole to cooperate to succeed.Only when a child reaches about 14 years old is the full 11‑against‑11 format introduced. By that moment the player has built a solid foundation of football intelligence through the pyramid of game forms: he or she has learned to act under pressure, read space and anticipate the movement of teammates and opponents. The transition moment is therefore not a jump, but a logical continuation of the learned game principles.

Technique‑first and the anti‑star culture: why this matters

In Belgian youth development the term technique‑first is central. This means that the development of ball handling, passing and shooting takes place before tactical or physical specialization. Joost Desender emphasizes that without a solid technical base the player can never fully benefit from the later‑introduced game forms. The LTPD method supports this by placing young players in an environment where they get plenty of ball contact, without the pressure of a competitive match. By focusing on game forms the training remains playful, keeping children motivated and free to make mistakes – a crucial part of learning.

The anti‑star culture is a direct result of the game‑form approach. In traditional training methods one talented player can often dominate the session. In the LTPD structure, however, every child is forced to play a balanced role, because the small teams leave no room for a single star. This approach prevents young players from developing a one‑sided self‑image and instead promotes teamwork, communication and mutual respect. For coaches this means they are not only developing an individual ‘star’, but a fully balanced team.

Practical tips for parents and coaches: the LTPD approach in practice

1. Choose the right game form for the age – For U6‑U9, 2‑against‑2 or 3‑against‑3 are ideal. Provide a small field, minimal rules and plenty of space to move.

2. Focus on ball contact – Ensure each child touches the ball at least three times per drill. Use exercises where the ball is quickly passed from one player to another.

3. Integrate physical variation according to biological age – Take into account the growth and motor development of each child. With young children it is important to alternate short, playful sprints with rest periods.

4. Encourage the anti‑star mentality – Give each player a specific task within the game form, for example ‘make the first pass’ or ‘be the last ball in the zone’. This prevents one player from receiving all the balls.

5. Make the transition to larger game forms gradual – Add extra players step by step and enlarge the playing area. Observe how children react to the new space and adjust the difficulty level accordingly.6. Use positive feedback – Highlight what a child did well (e.g. “Good vision, you timed that pass perfectly”) instead of only pointing out mistakes.

7. Involve parents in the game – Show parents how the game forms work and why they are important. A short demonstration during a training session can clear up many uncertainties.

Conclusion: A playful path to football intelligence

Joost Desender offers with his LTPD method and the emphasis on game forms a clear answer to the question of how young children can learn football in a healthy, enjoyable way. By aligning training with biological age, prioritising technique first and embracing an anti‑star culture, a learning environment is created in which every child gets the chance to develop his or her own football intelligence. The gradual build‑up of game forms – from 2‑against‑2 to 11‑against‑11 – ensures that the transition to full matches proceeds smoothly, while the fundamental skills are already firmly rooted in the youngest age groups. For parents and coaches this means: focus on the game, keep it simple and let the children learn by playing. This way football remains not only a sport, but a source of joy and personal growth for every young player.