For coaches in the United States
Soccer, football. Same game.
Our free formation guides come from an English grassroots touchline. Here's how to find the right one for your US youth soccer team.
US Soccer pathway
Find your team's format
These are US Soccer's recommended maximum game formats. Check your local league's rules.
U7–U8
4v4
US Soccer recommends up to 4v4. We do not yet cover this format.
Not covered yetU9–U10
7v7
Starting shapes, simple playing principles and player responsibilities.
Explore 7v7 guidesU11–U12
9v9
Complete formation playbooks, tactical diagrams and positional roles.
Explore 9v9 guidesU13+
11v11
The next stage of the pathway. We do not currently cover 11v11.
Not covered yet
Why the ages look different
One format. Different ages.
England introduced new youth football formats for 2026/27. The US pathway is different, but the ideas in our 7v7 and 9v9 guides still apply.
We use English football terms. In the US, football is soccer and a pitch is a field. The on-field decisions don't change with the wording.
| Format | USA | England |
|---|---|---|
| 7v7 | U9–U10 | U10–U11 |
| 9v9 | U11–U12 | U12–U13 |
Age groups are a guide, not a substitute for your competition's rules.
From the grassroots touchline
Made by a coach, for coaches.
How We Play Football grew from seven years coaching youth teams in England: league wins, heavy defeats and players earning trials with Premier League clubs.
These aren't official academy programmes or instructions from professional clubs. They're practical starting points for volunteer coaches to adapt to their teams.
Guidance and sources
Formats reflect US Soccer's recommendations and England Football's youth pathway for 2026/27. US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer and AYSO introduced an August–July age-group registration cycle from 2026/27. See US Soccer's registration guidance. Always confirm your competition's rules.