LJMU football analysts impact FA rule changes

Research by the Football Exchange at LJMU is underpinning exciting changes to youth football in England from next season.

U7s will start with 3v3 football, the 11v11 format will be delayed until U14 and rules changed to have quicker restarts.

The new guidelines, introduced by the Football Association, aim to give youngsters more time on the ball, more time on the pitch and increase their physical activity levels.

The changes come via a partnership with Liverpool John Moores University’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, which leads UK research in coaching and football development.

400 matches

Researchers at the LJMU Football Exchange studied more than 400 grassroots games, from U6-U14 level, to assess time spent on the ball, decision-making, and the physical and technical advancement of players.

John Folwell, Head of Grassroots Development Coaching at the FA, said the changes were the most significant in the past 15 years and were designed to provide a format of football that was the most enjoyable possible.

He said: “We know through the research that smaller format games make player engagement better, they have more technical actions, make more decisions.

"We believe this will not only help them develop as better layers but also as young people.”

'Evolution, not revolution'

Changes come after a comprehensive consultation process enhanced by a study into playing formats for youth players in other European nations and is complimented with our own research and testing within the grassroots game across England.

The FutureFit project is delivering workshops and tools to support all coaches, clubs and leagues across the country to further understand the changes that will be implemented:

FA Director of Football Development, James Kendall, said: "We're excited about this new approach which is about evolution, not revolution, helping to increase the levels of engagement, physical activity, skill development and the volume of technical actions for every player.”

The research was led by Professor Allistair McRobert with Dr Jon Foulkes and Dr Ed Hope.

 

---