How to Set Up a 3v3 Training Session: Pitch, Goals and Equipment Checklist
Key Takeaways
In short
To run a 3v3 training session you need two 4ft x 2.5ft goals, cones or flat discs to mark a 15m x 10m pitch, a size 3 ball per pair of players, and bibs if running more than one team. Structure the session as a carousel of short 6-10 minute games rather than one long match, rotating players so everyone reaches 30 to 40 minutes of total playing time.
Once you know what 3v3 is and how the rules work, the next question is practical: how do you actually run a session? Here's everything you need, from marking out the pitch to structuring the 30 to 40 minutes of playing time. If you haven't already, our guides to what 3v3 football is and how the rules work cover the background this session plan builds on.
What you need before your first session
- Two goals, sized 4ft x 2.5ft, one at each end of your playing area
- Cones or flat discs to mark out pitch boundaries
- A size 3 ball, ideally one per pair of players so warm-ups don't stall on ball-sharing
- Bibs, if you're running more than one pitch or rotating teams
- A simple way to track rotation, even just a coaching folder or wipe-clean board with team names on
Coaching Fact
Because up to four 3v3 pitches fit within a single standard 5v5 pitch, most clubs can run an entire squad's session without needing any extra ground space.
Marking out your 3v3 pitch
The FA's recommended pitch size is 15m x 10m, with a permitted range from 10x15m up to 15x20m depending on the space you've got. Cones or flat discs mark this out quickly, and there's no need for permanent lines: most clubs mark 3v3 areas fresh each session rather than dedicating a fixed pitch to it.
The genuinely useful fact for space-limited clubs: up to four 3v3 pitches fit within the footprint of a single standard 5v5 pitch. If you've got the space for one full-sized junior pitch, you likely have room for two or three separate 3v3 games running side by side, which matters a lot when you're trying to give a full squad meaningful playing time in one evening.
Setting up the goals
Position one goal at each end of your marked area. If you're using folding goals, unfolding and anchoring each one takes under 10 seconds once you've done it a couple of times, so setup for a full pitch, both goals, shouldn't eat into your session time in any meaningful way. Anchor into the ground with U pegs on grass, or use weighted bases on hard standing.
Structuring a 30-40 minute session
3v3 is built around a carousel format: several short games back to back, rather than one long match. Individual games typically run 6 to 10 minutes, and children rotate through multiple games so everyone gets 30 to 40 minutes of total playing time, playing with and against different teammates along the way.
A simple structure that works for most U7 sessions:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 0-10 min | Warm-up: ball mastery, 1v1 skills |
| 10-20 min | Game 1: 3v3, rotate players in at the break |
| 20-30 min | Game 2: 3v3, swap opposition |
| 30-40 min | Game 3: 3v3, final rotation, cool down |
Adjust the number of games to your numbers and pitch space. If you're running multiple pitches side by side, teams can rotate between pitches as well as between games, which keeps things fresh across a full session.
Kit checklist
- 3v3 goals: choose a single goal for a spare or garden top-up, or a matching pair to set up a full pitch in one order
- Marker cones for pitch boundaries
- Training bibs if running multiple teams or pitches
- A coaching folder or board to plan rotations before the session, not during it
From the Coaching Team
Why this matters beyond just following the format
Get the setup right and the actual coaching becomes easier: less time spent explaining rules or shuffling cones mid-session, more time with players actually on the ball. That's the whole point of Future Fit in the first place, and it applies just as much to how you run training as it does to how the FA designed the format.
Coaches Notes
FAQs
How many 3v3 pitches can I fit on one training pitch?
Up to four 3v3 pitches fit within the space of a standard 5v5 pitch, so most clubs with existing junior facilities can run multiple games side by side without needing extra space.
How long should a 3v3 training session be?
The FA's guidance suggests individual games of 6 to 10 minutes, with players rotating through several games to reach 30 to 40 minutes of total playing time across a session.
Do I need permanent pitch markings for 3v3?
No. Most clubs mark 3v3 areas out fresh each session using cones or flat discs, rather than committing to a fixed, permanently lined pitch.
What equipment is essential to start running 3v3 sessions?
Two 4ft x 2.5ft goals, cones for marking the pitch, a size 3 ball per pair of players, and bibs if you're running more than one team or pitch at once.
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