Germany U10‑U11: 5v5/7v7 game format and development principles
The German youth academy for the U10‑U11 age group, locally known as E‑Juniors, has a clear vision of how young players should learn, play and enjoy themselves. Through a specific game format, a child‑focused philosophy and a carefully chosen match structure, it is ensured that each child gets as much ball contact as possible, while the basic principles of modern football – such as 1‑against‑1 and gegenpressing – are introduced early. In this article we dive deeper into the game setup, the underlying training philosophy, the field dimensions and the development steps that lead to the full 11‑against‑11 game.
Game setup: 5v5 or 7v7 with one goalkeeper
For the German E‑Juniors, a choice is made between a 5‑against‑5 or a 7‑against‑7 format. Both variants have one goalkeeper, giving the goalkeeper a clear role and allowing the children to learn early to form an organized defence. The matches are played in a tournament format, which means that teams can play multiple short matches in a single day or weekend. A single match lasts four periods of 15 minutes each, resulting in a total playing time of 60 minutes. This division provides a high tempo, sufficient rest periods and a constant challenge for the young players.
An important rule in this age group is the absence of offside. Without offside, the children can move more freely, take more risks and get into attack with the ball more often. The lack of this rule supports the goal of maximum ball contact: the children do not first have to worry about their position relative to the last defender, but can focus entirely on dribbling, passing and shooting.
The exact ball size is not specified in the available data. Organisers usually choose a ball that is appropriately sized for the age group, so the players can dribble and pass comfortably. It is advisable to use a ball that is not too large or too heavy, so the children's technical skills can be showcased optimally.
Child‑focused philosophy: Funino, 1‑against‑1 and gegenpressing
The German youth academy adopts a child‑focused approach, stemming from the Funino reform. Funino emphasizes fun, freedom and maximum ball contact. In practice this means that training sessions and matches are built around situations where each child can touch the ball, dribble and make decisions. This approach prevents children from being pushed too early into rigid tactical systems and promotes a natural development of technical skills.
One of the core concepts within this philosophy is 1‑against‑1. By regularly placing young players in one‑against‑one situations, a natural development of dribbling skills, ball control and decision‑making under pressure occurs. Coaches can integrate this by organising small games where the emphasis is on individual duels, for example a game in which two players must get past each other to reach a goal.
Gegenpressing, a tactic where a team, immediately after losing the ball, tries to put pressure on the opponent, is introduced already in the National Learning Zone (NLZ). Although the concept may seem complex at first glance, it is explained in a simple way: as soon as a player loses the ball, he or she must immediately try to win the ball back, instead of simply dropping back. For U10‑U11 this means that players learn to react quickly, close down space and support their teammates, without the need for an extensive tactical vocabulary.
By combining these three building blocks – Funino, 1‑against‑1 and gegenpressing – a learning environment is created in which children grow both technically and tactically, without the pressure of traditional rules such as offside. The emphasis remains on fun, ball contact and developing a football intuition that can later be refined with more advanced tactics.
Playing field and intensity: Dimensions and game tempo
For the 7‑against‑7 variant a field of approximately 55 by 35 metres is used. These dimensions are smaller than a regular football pitch, causing the players to be closer together and decisions to be made more quickly. A smaller field means less time to move the ball, which raises the intensity of the game and emphasizes quick passing, movement without the ball and maintaining possession under pressure.
The field size is matched to the physical development of 10‑ to 11‑year‑olds. A compact field ensures that children do not have to run excessively, while still having enough space to manoeuvre. It also promotes the 1‑against‑1 aspect: players encounter direct duels more often, which strengthens dribbling and finishing skills.
The intensity of the matches is further increased by the four periods of 15 minutes. After each period there is a short break, allowing the children to recover briefly while still maintaining focus. This structure keeps the players alert and prevents them from becoming fatigued too early, keeping the quality of ball contact high throughout the match.
Development steps: Offside and transition to 11‑against‑11
Although the offside concept is an important part of senior football, it is only introduced in the German youth academy around the U12‑U13 age. Until then the children play without the constraints of offside, which expands their creativity and attacking options. Introducing offside later ensures that children first build a solid foundation of ball contact, dribbling and 1‑against‑1 before they learn to move within a more structured tactical system.
The transition to the full 11‑against‑11 game takes place around the U14 age. This step is carefully planned: after a period of 5‑v5 and 7‑v5/7‑v7 play with high intensity and plenty of ball contact, the players are ready to handle the complexity of a larger field, more players and the full tactical rules. The gradual build‑up ensures that children are not overwhelmed, but develop the necessary technical, physical and mental skills step by step.
For coaches this means they need a clear transition pathway. First focus on fun and technical development, then gradually introduce more tactical elements such as offside and positional discipline, and finally let the players experience the full 11‑against‑11 format when they are around 14 years old.
Practical tips for coaches and parents
1. Give children lots of ball contact. Organise small games (e.g. 3‑against‑3) where each player must touch the ball before a goal counts. This stimulates involvement and contributes to the Funino philosophy.
2. Focus on 1‑against‑1 situations. Plan drills where two players must dribble or pass against each other. Use goals or small gates to increase the challenge.
3. Introduce gegenpressing in a playful way. After a lost ball, ask players to immediately win the ball back with a short sprint and a pass to a teammate. Make it a game: who gets the ball back within 5 seconds earns a point.
4. Keep the matches short and intense. Follow the 4×15‑minute structure, but ensure a short rest between periods. A timer helps make the duration clear for both players and referees.
5. Make use of the compact field. Position the field so there is enough space for quick passes, but not so large that children have to run excessively. Mark clear zones to visualise the game distribution.
6. Prepare for the introduction of offside. Around U12 you can add a simple offside rule in a drill, for example by having one defender act as the “offside line”. This makes the transition gradual and less disruptive.
7. Communicate with parents. Explain why there is no offside at this age and how this contributes to their child's development. Provide parents with tools to practice at home, such as small dribbling courses or playing 1‑against‑1.
8. Keep the focus on fun. Ensure that each training session contains a playful element – a match, a game or a challenge – so that children stay motivated and retain their love of football.
Conclusion
The German approach for U10‑U11 players combines a child‑focused game format with a clear development philosophy. By choosing 5v5 or 7v7 with one goalkeeper, no offside, short periods and a compact field, an environment is created in which each child gets maximum ball contact. The core concepts Funino, 1‑against‑1 and gegenpressing provide high intensity and an early introduction to modern tactics, without the complexity of full rules. The gradual introduction of offside around U12 and the transition to 11‑against‑11 around U14 offer a logical pathway for the development of young footballers. For coaches and parents this means that the focus should be on fun, plenty of ball contact and creating situations where children can discover and improve their technical and tactical skills. With the right guidance the young player not only becomes a technically proficient player, but also an intelligent, creative and motivated footballer.