Five and six is when football really starts to click. Children can follow a few instructions at once, keep the ball close for longer, and they're ready to play their first proper matches. It's also when many start asking to join a team.
What 5 and 6 year olds can do
- Dribble with the ball under control, and change direction
- Play 1v1 and 2v2 games, and start to understand winning and losing
- Begin to use space: where to stand and where to run
- Pass to a teammate, at least some of the time
Our Reception and Year 1 classes
Classes for Reception and Year 1 last 50 minutes and are led by our coaches, with parents watching from the side. A typical session includes:
- ball work from the FSS syllabus, so everyone gets lots of touches
- dribbling challenges that build confidence with the ball
- 1v1 and 2v2 games that put those skills into action
- matches where the ideas of spacing and passing start to click
- a sticker on their attendance chart at the end
Once your child moves up to Year 2, they move up to our Year 2+ classes.
Joining a team at this age
In English youth football, under-7s now play 3v3 with no goalkeepers, and under-8s and under-9s play 5v5, all with a size 3 ball. Our size guide has the full details. A weekly class sits well alongside a team: your child gets lots more time on the ball, which is what helps most at this age.
How you can help
- Praise effort and bravery, not just goals.
- Keep a ball at home and kick it around together.
- Let them make mistakes. That's how they learn.
Our 10 tips for parents have more ideas.
Find a class
We run classes across Bristol, Swindon and Chippenham. Classes are £39 a month for one child, and you can start with a free trial. Read more about football for Reception and Year 1, or book a free trial.
