I ask mine to play with 1gk, 2 wide, 1 at the back and 1 up front. Gives width and depth and good for the next stage at 7v7 where we'll have another at the back and one in the centre. The children can call the positions whatever they like. I tend to talk about responsibilities.

Now being further down the process at 9v9 I think it should be a different set up. I believe everyone should play two years of 3v3 starting at the same age (under 7’s) with mini goals. No goalkeepers. This helps players work on their first touch. Create triangles etc. plus get a lot more touches. you can run two games of 3v3 side by side and mix it up in different ways. Then move on to 5v5, 7v7 etc but essentially everything is two years later. But you’ve given your players the opportunity to really work on the essentials at an early age. 

Yes I agree with that. But 2 years at 9v9 I thought was not enough before going 11v11 when I did my first time round.

At 5v5 it's about touches on the ball - less players more involvement. As Lee says, it's also about responsibility - as a midfielder you need to track back and cover as well as attack, working in passing triangles and moving into space - of which there is more at a 5v5. Not that it's that easy to convince U7 to do passing in triangles mind! 

5v5 is an important part of English Football Culture we'd all love our players to get into academies and be professional but that's very unlikely so the majority of players will play at Goals, Power League or 6 a side or 7 a side midweek leagues rather than open age or 11v11 football in my opinion.

I love small-sided games; 1v1s, 2v2s, and 3v3s are important in developing players.

The format of youth football has been successful but I think there is still a rush to 11v11 and we can create more technical and tactical if we stay small-sided for longer.

3v3 should be introduced ASAP at U7s so the format of the game should be;

U7-U8: 3v3

U9-U10: 5v5

U11-U12: 7v7

U13-U14: 9v9

U15 onwards: 11v11.

I agree with the points made in relation to starting the development journey with 3 v3 to increase individual player actions. At this age/stage it should be all about individual player development and not so much about positioning/tactics/formations. Getting them to fall in love with the game and creating an environment where they can experiment and feel safe to make mistakes are key. The FA Mini Football rules do allow us to play 3 v 3 , 4 v 4 which we should encourage much more than thinking about formations. Why do we play 5 v 5 with 3 subs shivering on the line when we could play two 4 v 4 games - space permitting. 

This format also allows you to think about in and out of possession formations/roles and responsibility. Introduce the principles of play and it’s a solid foundation for the future 

I see I like the idea of 2 games of 4vs4 as subs getting cold is a big issue and the other reason I try to get 6vs6  

5v5 is the best...just make sure that your goalie is involved for the build up as well it will make sense...