Nick Levett and the small-sided formats: How 5v5 and 9v9 English youth football can be revitalized

In the past ten years English youth football has taken a clear turn: the emphasis is increasingly on game formats where young players touch the ball more often, make decisions faster and especially enjoy the game. This direction is strongly driven by Nick Levett, an influential educator and thinker who, as FA National Development Manager (Youth & Mini‑Soccer), has developed a new vision. His approach, often referred to as the “FA small‑sided game formats”, revolves around 5‑against‑5 and 9‑against‑9 games that suit the physical and mental development of children. In this article we dive deeper into Levett’s philosophy, the concrete game formats, the step‑by‑step transition to the full 11‑against‑11 game, and provide practical guidance for parents, coaches and young players.

Nick Levett’s Vision and the English Youth Development

Nick Levett emerged in the 2000‑to‑2010 period as the driving force behind the youth and mini‑soccer programmes of the English football association. As National Development Manager Youth & Mini‑Soccer he was responsible for developing a coherent policy that lays the foundation for talent development from the earliest ages. His premise is simple: children must learn to play in an age‑appropriate way, so they learn early to make ball contacts, develop technical skills and especially experience enjoyment. These principles are set out in the policy document “FA‑Youth‑Formats‑Reform (policy)” from 2012.

The English approach, often referred to as “England DNA”, places a strong emphasis on possession and a game‑based approach. Instead of focusing on isolated technical drills, players are challenged to make decisions, create space and react to opponents within a game context. The Elite Player Performance Pathway (EPPP) supports this vision with a structured phasing and a category audit that encourages clubs to professionalise their youth structure. Within this framework the introduction of small‑sided formats is a crucial element: they provide a controlled environment where the principles of England DNA come to life, while fitting the physical and cognitive development stages of youth.

Small‑sided formats: 5v5 and 9v9 in practice

The core of Levett’s reform consists of two game formats: 5‑against‑5 and 9‑against‑9. Both formats are played on reduced pitches, with adjusted dimensions that create a higher density of players per square metre. This results in more space for individual ball contacts and less time to lose possession. In a 5v5 match, for example, a field of roughly 30 × 20 metres is used, with two small goals. The number of players per team ensures that each child touches the ball on average three to four times per game, a much higher figure than in traditional 11‑against‑11 training for the same age group.

The 9v9 variant is usually introduced when players are around the U9‑U11 age range. The pitch becomes slightly larger (for example 45 × 30 metres) and there are still two goals, but the extra four players per team mean that the game structure resembles the full field a bit more. Yet the emphasis on ball contact and quick decision‑making remains. Coaches often notice that children in a 9v9 setting have more space to practise combinations, while still experiencing enough pressure to test their technical ability.

Both formats share a common goal: maximising enjoyment and technical development. The smaller pitch size and lower number of players create more space to dribble, pass and shoot, enabling children to learn faster how to handle the ball under pressure. Moreover, the format encourages natural cooperation among players, as each player has a crucial role in defending and attacking. This dynamic aligns perfectly with the England DNA principles of possession and game intelligence.

From Offside to Full 11‑against‑11: the Development Steps

One of the notable elements in the English youth structure is the phased introduction of the offside rule. Offside is generally introduced only around the U11 age. This is not an arbitrary choice; by this stage most children have developed a sufficient understanding of position and space, allowing them to process the complexity of offside without becoming overwhelmed. In the 5v5 and 9v9 formats the offside is often omitted at first, so the focus can be entirely on learning basic technique and game awareness.

Around U13 the transition to the full 11‑against‑11 game takes place. By then the players have become accustomed to larger pitches, more players per team and the tactical nuances of offside. The transition is supported by a gradual expansion of the field and a step‑by‑step introduction of more advanced rules. Coaches often use a hybrid approach, still integrating small‑sided exercises into training, but now with the full complement of players on a larger pitch. This approach ensures that the technical and tactical skills developed in the smaller formats can be applied directly in the full match situation.

The result is a smooth development of the player: from the earliest youth years they are immersed in a game environment tailored to their age, after which they are gradually exposed to the complexity of the full game. These successive steps ensure that children become not only technically proficient but also develop good game awareness, making them better prepared for the demands of senior football.

Practical Tips for Parents, Coaches and Young Players

1. Choose the right game format for the age. For children up to about 8 years old, 5v5 is the ideal start; from 9 to 11 years old, 9v9 provides more variety and space for combinations. Keep an eye on the pitch size and the number of players so each player gets sufficient ball contact.

2. Focus on enjoyment and ball contact. Align technical drills with a game context. An exercise like “dribble around a cone” becomes even more effective when you turn it into a small match where each player must dribble and pass to score a goal.

3. Introduce the offside gradually. Wait until the players are around U11 before incorporating offside into training. Start with simple situations (for example one attacker and one defender) and slowly build up to more complicated formations.

4. Keep the transition to 11v11 in mind. From U13 you can start combining small‑sided exercises on a larger pitch. For example, let players first play a 9v9 match and then add an extra couple of players to get used to the full team size.

5. Involve parents in the development. Explain why small‑sided formats are important and how they contribute to more ball contact and enjoyment. When parents understand the philosophy, they can better support their children, for example by taking a ball home after training for extra free play.

6. Observe and give targeted feedback. Watch how much ball contact each player gets and which technical aspects need improvement. Provide positive, concrete feedback (“Good pass, now you can follow the ball even faster”) instead of generic comments.

7. Use game‑oriented objectives. Instead of only counting how many shots there are, you can give a game task such as “Each time a player makes a pass that leads to a goal, the team receives a bonus”. This keeps the focus on cooperation and technical play.

By applying these tips, coaches and parents can create an environment where the principles of Nick Levett and the English youth development come to life, allowing young players to develop in an enjoyable and effective way.

With a clear step‑by‑step approach, from 5v5 to 11v11, and an ongoing focus on ball contact, technique and enjoyment, Nick Levett’s approach provides a solid foundation for the next generation of footballers. By choosing the right game formats, introducing offside at the right moment and actively involving parents, each child’s development is optimised. The small‑sided formats are more than a training method: they constitute a philosophy that lays the groundwork for a lifelong love of the game and a technical and tactical acuity needed at every level of football.