Youth Football

Children can start playing informally from age 3-4 with fun, unstructured games. Organised football typically begins around age 5-6. Focus on enjoyment and movement, not tactics or winning.

Look for consistent performance, coachability, love of the game, and resilience. Physical development matters less at young ages due to varying growth rates. Scouts look for technical ability, decision-making, and personality. Most importantly, let them enjoy it without pressure.

It depends. Playing for one team builds relationships and consistency. Playing for multiple teams offers more game time and variety. Beware of overload; young players need rest and time for other activities. Quality over quantity.

The FA recommends no more than one organised match per day and allowing at least one rest day per week. Overuse injuries are common in children who play too much without recovery. Listen to your child; if they're tired or losing interest, reduce the load.

Only if they're consistently dominating their own age group and the step up offers appropriate challenge without overwhelming them. Playing up can accelerate development but also increase injury risk and harm confidence if they're not ready.