Tip: tap a highlighted word to see its meaning in Urdu.
English youth football has introduced a new 3v3 format for under-7 players to help them get more touches on the ball.
Level 1 · Easy
English football is changing how young children play the game. The Football Association wants young players to improve their skills.
Last month, youth football for under-7 players changed from five-a-side to three-a-side matches. This new 3v3 has no goalkeepers and no referees.
shows that children get more touches of the ball in smaller games. Coaches and parents are still adapting to the new rules, but children enjoy scoring more goals.
Level 2 · Medium
English football is trying a new way to help young players develop better skills. Following a disappointing defeat at the World Cup, officials noted that English teams often struggle with ball control compared to other nations.
To fix this problem at the level, the Football Association changed the rules for young children. Starting this season, under-7 players now play a 3v3 instead of five-a-side matches. The small-sided games have no goalkeepers and no referees, which means every child stays active on the .
by the Football Association and Liverpool John Moores University shows that fewer players help children get more touches of the ball. While some coaches worry about managing multiple small pitches and dominant players, most parents and children like the new rules because they can score more goals easily.
Level 3 · Real news English
English football is experimenting with a significant change to its youth structure in an effort to improve player development. Following a disappointing defeat by Argentina at the World Cup, boss Thomas Tuchel highlighted that ball control is not naturally part of the English football identity, unlike in Spain, Argentina, or Brazil. To address this issue at the level, the Football Association has introduced a new 3v3 for children under the age of seven.
Up until last season, young children started playing in five-a-side matches. Last month, that was reduced to three-a-side games with no goalkeepers and no referees. conducted over two years alongside Liverpool John Moores University analyzed more than 400 games. The study concluded that fewer players on the increase player engagement, physical activity, and decision-making because youngsters get more touches of the ball.
Although the new system is designed to maximize fun and skill development, it has brought some challenges. Coaches noted logistical issues with monitoring multiple small pitches at once, and some are concerned about dominant players controlling the match. However, the Football Association believes these changes will benefit future players, noting that top goalkeepers often start their careers playing outfield. Similar small-sided formats are already common in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway.
Words to learn
- grassroots — بنیادی سطح (bunyaadi satah): the lowest level of an organization or sport “The club focuses on training youth players at the grassroots level.”
- possession — قبضہ (qabza): having control of something like the ball “Our team kept good possession of the ball during the match.”
- research — تحقیق (chehqeeq): careful study of a subject “Scientists are doing research to find new treatments.”
- format — طریقہ (tarika): the way something is arranged or set up “The tournament has a new format this year.”
- referee — ریفری (referee): an official who watches a game to ensure rules are followed “The referee blew the whistle to start the match.”
- pitch — کھیل کا میداۢ (khel ka maidan): an area of ground used for playing a sport “The players walked onto the green pitch.”
- substitute — متبدل کھلاڑی (mutabadil khilari): a player who sits on the bench until needed “He came on as a substitute in the second half.”
- tactics — ہتکتیک (hikmat e amli): actions planned to achieve a goal “The coach changed his tactics after halftime.”
Quick quiz
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What age group is the new 3v3 football format for in England?
- Under-6s
- Under-7s
- Under-10s
- Under-14s
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Who did England lose to at this summer's World Cup?
- Brazil
- Germany
- Argentina
- Netherlands
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Which organization implemented the new 3v3 youth football format?
- The Football Association
- Liverpool John Moores University
- BBC Sport
- Collingham FC
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What does the word grassroots mean in sports?
- The professional league
- The lowest level of an organization or sport
- The stadium grass
- The coaching staff
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What is missing in the new 3v3 youth matches?
- Goals and balls
- Parents and coaches
- Goalkeepers and referees
- Children and boots