About / Sources
Where it comes from
Every rule, number and piece of safety guidance on this site comes from the people who set it. Here they are, with what we used each one for. All checked on 11 November 2026.
The Laws of the Game
Our Laws page, the offside boards and the pitch drawings.
- Changes to the Laws of the Game 2026/27IFAB · downloads.theifab.comEverything marked "New for 2026/27", in force from 1 July 2026.
- Law 1, The Field of PlayIFAB · theifab.comPitch size and every marking on our full-size pitch drawings.
- Law 11, OffsideIFAB · theifab.comThe onside and offside boards.
- Law 12, Fouls and MisconductIFAB · theifab.comFouls, cautions and sendings-off.
- Further measures to improve match flow and player behaviourIFAB · theifab.comBackground to the 2026/27 changes.
Youth football in England
Formats, pitch and goal sizes, ball sizes and 3v3, on the Laws page, the home page and the session planner.
- FutureFit: what are the changes in youth football?England Football · futurefit.englandfootball.comWhich format each age group plays from 2026/27.
- FutureFit: pitch and goal sizes for the different age groupsEngland Football · futurefit.englandfootball.comEvery pitch and goal size in our formats table and the to-scale pitch drawing.
- FutureFit: has the ball size changed?England Football · futurefit.englandfootball.comBall sizes.
- A closer look at 3v3England Football · futurefit.englandfootball.comThe rules of 3v3 for under-7s.
- FutureFit frequently asked questionsEngland Football · futurefit.englandfootball.comGeneral background.
Heading
The heading table on the Laws page and the heading notes in the session planner.
- Heading in footballEngland Football · englandfootball.comLimits on heading in training for each age group.
- New heading rules for grassroots football youth matchesThe FA, May 2024 · thefa.comHow deliberate heading is being removed from under-12 matches, season by season.
Safeguarding, concussion and safety
The safeguarding page, safety notes on drills, and the planner.
- Safeguarding, section 3: safer recruitment and DBS checksThe FA · thefa.comWho needs an Enhanced DBS check, and how recent it must be.
- Safeguarding, section 4: safeguarding trainingThe FA · thefa.comThe Safeguarding Children course and how long it lasts.
- Photography and filming childrenThe FA · thefa.comConsent for photos and video.
- Concussion guidelinesEngland Football · englandfootball.comSigns of concussion, red flags and returning to play.
- UK Concussion Guidelines for Non-Elite (Grassroots) SportSport and Recreation Alliance, for the UK governments · sportandrecreation.org.uk"If in doubt, sit them out."
- Goalpost safety guidelines (Rules of The FA, 2025-26, section 37)The FA · thefa.comAnchoring, moving and storing goals.
- NSPCC HelplineNSPCC · nspcc.org.ukThe helpline number for adults worried about a child.
- ChildlineNSPCC · childline.org.ukThe number for children and young people.
Coaching
The approach behind the drills, sessions and the session planner: game-like practice, lots of touches, and a game at the end.
- The FA's Four Corner ModelThe FA Boot Room · thefa.comTechnical, physical, psychological and social development.
- Plan, do, reviewThe FA Boot Room · thefa.comHow the session planner is shaped.
- Developing socially skilled children in the Foundation PhaseThe FA Boot Room · thefa.comCoaching under-5s to under-11s.
- Developing players in the Youth Development PhaseThe FA Boot Room · thefa.comCoaching under-12s to under-16s.
The drills and tactics
The drills, sessions and tactics boards are written and drawn by us. They are common football practices, described in our own words, shaped by The FA's coaching guidance above: lots of touches, game-like practice and a real game in every session. They are not copied from any book, club or course.
Found a mistake?
Rules change every season. If something here is out of date or wrong, email hello@fallinghippo.com and say which page. We'll check it against the source and fix it.