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The Mafia
With sweaty palms and white-knuckled grips holding onto anything to steady your pounding heart, imagine a boss standing overhead, having total control over your existence. You accepted their promise of protection and wealth, and now you’re just another part of their flock. Welcome to the mafia of leagues. It sounds daunting and fictional, but it’s closer to the truth than most realize.
Our league systems, governed by their bureaucratic overlords, have created a reliance on their status and expertise. They provide us with the latest research, best practices for youth, and a structured pathway. In return, we pay our insurance premiums for coverage under their plan—not only for our coaches but also for our young athletes in sanctioned games. Parents watch, kids play, and the interactions foster growth, all under the protective umbrella of these governing bodies.
But this system has a ‘dark side.’ The leagues dictate: play by our sanctioned rules or face the vulnerability of lawsuits. Clubs cling tightly to their league affiliations, knowing that stepping outside the bounds could mean financial and reputational ruin. This is the insidious underbelly of the play by our rules culture, a reality hidden in plain sight. They provide not only the insurance but also the qualifications for referees and scheduling.
State leagues promise guidance, protection, and a version of what the game "should" look like. They’re your benevolent overseers—as long as you remember who’s in charge. Pay your dues, follow their dictates, and you can run your games as they silently prescribe. Our leagues are, in essence, a sweetened version of the mafia.
The Gift: A Decision by the Football Association (FA) in the UK
The FA recently announced a game-changing move for youth soccer, starting in the 2026/27 season:
6 & 7-year-olds: 4v4
8 & 9-year-olds: 5v5
10 & 11-year-olds: 7v7
12 & 13-year-olds: 9v9
14-year-olds: First year of 11v11 play
This shift delays the transition to larger formats by two years, acknowledging the importance of physical maturity, decision-making, and dynamic in-game actions. Personally, I’d have started with 3v3 for the youngest age group, but the move to reduce player numbers on the pitch is undeniably brilliant. Today, 8 and 9-year-olds play 7v7, and 10 and 11-year-olds play 9v9. The FA’s change is a welcome adjustment.
Why is this significant?
Look at professional games. While I’m not a fan of comparisons between youth and pros, professional soccer essentially boils down to a series of small-sided games. Players pass to nearby teammates rather than launching the ball across the field, creating countless 1v1, 3v3, and 5v5 scenarios. If the pros are constantly engaging in these dynamic exchanges, it makes sense for young players to stay small too. Smaller games foster understanding, decision-making, and individual skill development.
Why Do I Care About the UK?
In the US, we often follow the UK’s lead—albeit a decade later, once our egos permit us to jump on the bandwagon. Of course, we’ll never fully copy them—they still drive on the left side of the road, after all. This pattern mirrors moves made by Germany most recently and Belgium in earlier decades. Countries like Italy and Spain delay introducing the 11v11 game until players are 13, valuing the developmental benefits of smaller-sided formats in honing instincts, decision-making, and visual cues.
Meanwhile, here in the US, kids start playing the 11v11 game at age 12. Most of these kids are either just entering puberty or haven’t been there long. Their necks are too weak for heading the ball, and they can’t kick from one end of the field to the other, yet we still consider this setup a good idea for their development.
Many UK academies already embrace smaller-sided games, enjoying the freedom their reputation affords them. Parents are less likely to question these respected institutions, trusting their processes and appreciating transparent communication from coaches.
Why This Gift Matters for the US
I hope the FA’s decision inspires similar changes here. Beyond soccer, it’s relevant to many invasion sports: basketball, hockey, volleyball, and lacrosse.
For instance, starting with 3v3 can be a great approach for young basketball players. My 14-year-old son still remembers playing cross-court basketball at six, overshadowed by a grade older ball hog whose dad coached the team. That dad prioritized his son’s early talent, but at what cost? If one player dominates, how do others improve in a 5v5 game? Smaller formats give everyone the chance to develop. Also, take a moment to realize the level of awareness that my son remembered a kid he only played with one brief season, 8 years ago, on a sport he never played again. What we do with all our kids matters. They know and they are aware even if we don’t realize they are.
"What we do with all our kids matters. They know and they are aware even if we don’t realize they are."
A Strong Opinion on Development
Development is about opportunity. If we deny young players time to play and learn through experience, we rob them of growth. Starving a child of play is like withholding food and water—it stunts their potential, not only their life. Quiet kids or late bloomers need time to develop attributes they might not yet possess. Play must be accessible to all. Smaller formats make this possible without being ruled by the Mafia.
Every coach has more influence than they might realize when it comes to inspiring meaningful change. Local club board members, too, have significant authority to implement improvements rather than deferring to the slow-moving directives of governing bodies. Large organizations are notoriously sluggish in adapting to new ideas, but local clubs have the agility to take initiative if their leadership embraces it. The opportunity for progress lies in their hands. My point is I hope our local clubs don’t wait for top-down approaches to prioritize this type of growth.
A Shoutout to the UK
The FA’s decision is a beacon of hope for youth sports worldwide. I’m thrilled for the UK and eager to see the ripple effects of this thoughtful, progressive move. It’s inspiring to see them being proactive and prioritizing their kids' development. Well done, UK!
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