Layout reference

Pitch and court dimensions for training

A youth session laid out on an adult-size pitch wastes half the touches on running. Match the format to the squad first, then set goal, hoop or net height to the age group before the first drill starts.

Format at a glance

  • 7v7 55-65 × 35-45 m
  • 9v9 80-100 × 50-60 m
  • 11v11 100-110 × 64-75 m

Pitch, court, net and hoop dimensions

Playing-area and equipment-height specs used to lay out a training session
Format / fixtureDimension
11v11 full pitch100-110 m × 64-75 m
9v9 youth pitch80-100 m × 50-60 m
7v7 youth pitch55-65 m × 35-45 m
Futsal court40 m × 20 m, 6 m penalty arc
Five-a-side (recreational)36-42 m × 20-25 m
Basketball rim, adult3.05 m (10 ft)
Basketball rim, junior / youngest2.20-2.75 m, lowered with age group
Volleyball net, men / women2.43 m / 2.24 m, antenna to 2.55 m
Nested outlines of 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 pitches Three rectangles sharing a corner, scaled to average pitch dimensions: 7v7 about 60 by 40 metres, 9v9 about 90 by 55 metres, 11v11 about 105 by 69.5 metres. 11v11 — 100-110×64-75 m 9v9 — 80-100×50-60 m 7v7 — 55-65×35-45 m
Fig. 1 — Relative footprint of 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11 pitches, nested from a shared corner and scaled to each format’s average dimensions.

Procedure: lay out a training session

  1. 1

    Pick the format matching squad size and age

    2 min

    Typical failure: running 11v11 drills for a squad meant for 7v7.

  2. 2

    Pace out the boundary with a tape measure

    10-15 min

    Typical failure: distance stepped out by foot-lengths instead of a tape, drifting 5-10 m off spec.

  3. 3

    Mark width first, then length, with corner cones

    5 min

    Typical failure: length marked but width only guessed, leaving the pitch too narrow for wide play.

  4. 4

    Set goal, hoop or net height for the age group

    5 min

    Typical failure: adult 3.05 m rim left up for a U10 session instead of dropped to 2.20-2.40 m.

  5. 5

    Check net height with a tape against the post

    3 min

    Typical failure: net eyeballed level, one side reading 2.43 m and the other 2.30 m.

  6. 6

    Re-confirm markings after warm-up traffic

    5 min, mid-session

    Typical failure: cones kicked out of place during warm-up, drills run on a shrunk pitch.

Frequently asked

Can I just use half of an adult pitch for youth training?
Not reliably. Half of an 11v11 pitch (50-55 m by 64-75 m) does not match the 9v9 spec of 80-100 m by 50-60 m or the 7v7 spec of 55-65 m by 35-45 m. Measure to the youth format instead of halving the adult one.
Do hoop heights really change by age?
Yes. The adult rim sits at 3.05 m (10 ft). Junior hoops run 2.60-2.75 m, and the youngest age groups train at 2.20-2.40 m.
What if I do not have a tape measure long enough for a full pitch?
Measure one known distance with the tape, then pace it out to get a consistent step length before pacing the rest. Do not pace the whole boundary from an assumed step length.
Is a five-a-side court the same as a futsal court?
No. A futsal court is a fixed 40 m by 20 m with a 6 m penalty arc. Recreational five-a-side typically runs smaller, 36-42 m by 20-25 m.