7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 lessons
Futbol Island is a free football (soccer) learning game for kids aged 7 to 12, played in the web browser. Kids learn the game at the team size they play: 18 lessons for 7v7, 27 for 9v9 and 20 for 11v11, set out below in the chapters of each learning path.
Free. No ads, no accounts, no open chat. Read the parents’ guide.
Play it on the island7v7: Meet the team and restart (3)
- Meet Your Team (7v7)Recognize the goalkeeper and three lines of teammates, then adjust your midfield role as the ball changes sides.
- A Formation Gives Us Options (7v7)Use the jobs of the back line, midfield and forward to find a missing wide or supporting option.
- Goal Kick & Build-Out Line (7v7)On our goal kick, the other team waits behind the build-out line. Once the ball is kicked and moves, they can come and press.
7v7: Look and help (4)
- Look, Then Turn or Return (7v7)Look for pressure before receiving. Turn into room or give the ball back.
- Carry or Pass? (7v7)Watch which route the defender leaves open.
- Make Room for Your Team (7v7)Spread into useful space so the player on the ball has another route.
- Step Out of the Blocked Lane (7v7)Move so the defender is no longer between you and the ball.
7v7: Connect around pressure (2)
7v7: Protect the goal together (3)
- Stay Between the Ball and Goal (7v7)Move with the attacker while keeping yourself between the ball and your goal.
- See the Ball and the Runner (7v7)Look between the ball and the runner. Share the marking job as the attack moves.
- Lost It? Protect the Middle (7v7)After losing the ball, protect a route to goal; approach when a teammate can cover.
7v7: more lessons (6)
- One Forward: Be Close Enough to Help (7v7)In three-two-one, the only forward keeps a short passing connection with the two midfielders.
- Three Backs: Make the Outside Route (7v7)Without wide midfielders, an outside back can create width, then return inside when the forward route closes.
- Give Your Teammate Room to Dribble (7v7)The sole middle midfielder leaves room for a wide teammate to try a one-against-one, then reconnects after the dribble.
- Watch What Happens After the Shot (7v7)A wide midfielder reads a loose rebound or a goalkeeper’s controlled ball before deciding whether to approach or recover.
- Which Line Matters? (7v7)In many 7v7 leagues (like AYSO), you can't be called offside until you pass the far build-out line. Past it, offside counts, so time your run.
- Start with Your Feet (7v7)Some leagues (like England's FA for younger players) restart from the sideline with your feet. Dribble it in or pass it in: pick the open route.
9v9: Find your unit and receive (3)
- 3-2-3: Know Your Unit (9v9)Understand nine players, three outfield units, and cover behind an advancing defender.
- Receive: Turn or Connect (9v9)Check the space before receiving; a turn and a return solve different pressure.
- Move Out of the Passing Shadow (9v9)Move to change the passing lane, then read the defender again.
9v9: Read the spare option (4)
- Two Against One: Carry or Pass (9v9)Watch whether the defender approaches the ball or stays with the teammate.
- Find the Other Side (9v9)Move the ball through support when the nearby routes close.
- A Return Pass Is a Choice (9v9)Time a support run and use the return only when the defender leaves its lane open.
- Build With the Goalkeeper (9v9)Use the goalkeeper to connect around pressure, then change the plan if that lane closes.
9v9: Share the next job (3)
- One Presses, One Covers (9v9)Approach the ball with support behind; adjust cover when the attack moves.
- Win It: Look, Then Choose (9v9)After gaining possession, use a clear forward advantage or secure the ball.
- Lose It: Recover or Approach (9v9)Recover toward goal when pressure cannot arrive; approach when cover is ready.
9v9: Restart and track (2)
9v9: more lessons (15)
- 3-2-3: Connect the Two Blocks (9v9)Two midfielders share the links between a back-three block and a front-three block.
- 3-2-3: Two Midfielders Face Three (9v9)A wide forward helps the midfield pair against three opponents while the outside back supplies the vacated width.
- 3-2-3: Back Three, Fourth Runner (9v9)A wide forward recovers with an advancing outside back when three defenders already have three forwards.
- 2-3-3: Who Becomes the Third Protector? (9v9)With only two defenders, the central midfielder supplies the missing central protector against three high forwards.
- 2-3-3: Keep the Midfield Three Ahead (9v9)After a short goal kick, the keeper supports two backs without sacrificing the central link in a midfield three.
- 3-3-2: Split the Two Striker Jobs (9v9)Two strikers share showing and depth against three defenders, while wide midfielders supply the missing front-line width.
- 3-3-2: Add an Attacker, Rebuild the Three (9v9)A wide midfielder joins two strikers while the other midfielders support, then rebuilds the midfield three after loss.
- Three Backs Against Two Pressers (9v9)Three-two-three gives us three backs against their two strikers. Our two central midfielders stay ahead of the first line.
- Front Pair: When Can Midfield Join? (9v9)Three-three-two has two strikers facing three backs. A wide midfielder can join the first pressure only when the other midfielders protect behind.
- Front Three: Protect the Central Screen (9v9)Our three-two-three front line faces two backs and one central midfielder. The wingers can reach the backs while the striker protects the central screen.
- After the Restart: Rebuild the Back Three (9v9)After our right back takes a throw-in, they hurry back so we have three defenders again before joining the attack.
- 3-1-3-1: Help the Single Holder (9v9)Three-one-three-one has one holder behind three attacking midfielders and a striker. When the ball is lost, the central attacking midfielder can help that single holder.
- 3-4-1: Turn Four Midfielders into Front Options (9v9)Three-four-one starts with four midfielders and one striker. After a regain, the two wide midfielders can join the lone striker while the central pair connects behind.
- 2-4-2: Protect the Far Channel (9v9)Two-four-two has only two backs but four midfielders. If the backs handle the near winger and central striker, the far wide midfielder can cover the remaining outside run.
- Short Corner: Borrow One of Two Outlets (9v9)When Blue plays a corner short, a spare player helps our defender, so every runner in the middle stays marked.
11v11: Receive inside the team shape (3)
- Our Eleven: Shape & Shared Jobs (11v11)Understand the goalkeeper and each line, then adapt midfield support as a fullback advances.
- Can You Turn? (11v11)Look before the ball arrives. Turn when you have room; use your support when you don’t.
- Around the Pressure (11v11)The best route can change with one defender’s move. Look through first, then around.
11v11: Create the next opening (3)
- Find the Open Side (11v11)Switch to use space, not just to send the ball across the pitch.
- Use the Next Teammate (11v11)A third player helps when the direct pass is covered. You don’t need an extra pass when it’s already open.
- Look Behind the Defenders (11v11)Find the teammate, then check the route. A cut-back is useful only when that pass is there.
11v11: Keep the team connected (4)
- Who Goes, Who Helps? (11v11)Decide together. One player puts pressure on the ball; another looks after the next danger.
- Slide Across Together (11v11)Follow the danger as a group. Don’t leave a big gap for the next pass.
- Can We Win It Back? (11v11)Challenge when the ball is there to win. If the chance has gone, get back and protect your goal.
- Leave Someone to Help (11v11)Joining an attack is a team decision. Check who will cover the space you leave.
11v11: Restart and time the run (2)
11v11: more lessons (8)
- 4-3-3 vs 5-3-2: Find the Checking Midfielder (11v11)When their wing-backs block your fullbacks, an eight checks short to get free. If a defender follows the eight, pass to the fullback instead.
- 4-3-3: Fullback Inside or Outside? (11v11)Fill the lane nobody holds: with the winger wide, the fullback moves inside; with the winger inside, the fullback goes wide.
- Front Five, Safety Five: Protect Two Lines (11v11)While five attack, two midfielders screen and three defenders stay back. If a pass beats the screen, recover inside.
- Diamond vs 4-3-3: Who Closes the Fullback? (11v11)Close their fullback with the nearest free player, but never leave the middle of your diamond open.
- Back Five: When Can the Wing-back Go? (11v11)A wing-back presses only when the touch is slow and a center back covers the winger behind. When that cue is gone, recover.
- Back Four + Six: Pass On the Dropping Forward (11v11)When their striker drops, your six takes them so the center backs hold the line. If the six is busy, a center back steps out with cover.
- 4-4-2: Support the Second Ball (11v11)Forwards at two depths and a midfielder underneath win the loose ball. If Blue wins it, recover through the middle.
- Wide Free Kick: Release the Wall at the Right Time (11v11)At a free kick the wall waits ten yards away (Law 13). Once a short kick moves, one wall player presses while everyone else keeps their job.
Questions and answers
Which format should my child start with?
The 7v7 path comes first because it is the simplest.
What does 7v7 teach first?
Recognize the goalkeeper and three lines of teammates, then adjust your midfield role as the ball changes sides.
What does the first 11v11 lesson teach?
Understand the goalkeeper and each line, then adapt midfield support as a fullback advances.
Is Futbol Island free?
Yes. Futbol Island is free to play in the web browser on phones, tablets and computers, with nothing to download and nothing to buy.
Is it safe for kids?
Yes, it is made for kids aged 7 to 12: no ads, no accounts and no open chat. Friends can only use preset emotes.