More Touches · More Decisions · More Involvement · Every GameDay
The FA's ongoing reform of youth football — from Mini Soccer in 1999 through to FutureFit launching in 2026 — proves one thing: the game evolves when the evidence demands it. 3sL is not running counter to this movement. It is the product of it — a format born from the same academic and practical principles, operating now, ahead of the curve.
In traditional 7-a-side, an elite prospect averages just 12 touches in 90 minutes. The 3sL Masters Matrix changes the math, delivering a 5–10x uplift in meaningful actions. By stripping the game to its most intense form, we ensure every player is at the heart of the action — with no hiding and no waiting.
England's most forward-thinking clubs are already here. The rest will follow.
Stat sources: England Football FutureFit Research (FA / Liverpool John Moores University, 2022–2024) · Fenoglio, R. (2003). Manchester United 4v4 Pilot Scheme, Manchester Metropolitan University · Lex, H., Simon, M. & Schwab, S. (2021). German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research. The 60-minute equivalence is a 3sL editorial figure based on published touch-count and technical action data across these studies.
The core product. A FA-sanctioned 3v3 youth football league running Thursday evenings at Stevenage FC Performance Centre. 4 age bands. 5 GameDays per Series. 3 Series per Season. Slots into clubs' weekly rhythms without admin overhead.
Lunch-time (LT) and After School Club (ASC) programmes delivering the 3sL format directly into schools. Being used for behavioural purposes and to lift engagement. Currently active with two LT and two ASC programmes. A direct pipeline feeding players into the league. Zero disruption to school timetables.
High-energy, multi-team festival days across schools, grassroots clubs, and academies. Friday–Sunday format. Real stakes. FORZA Black Kit prize on the line. A showcase event that puts 3sL in front of parents and clubs at scale.
The elite player pathway. A bespoke programme for professional academy players, starting with Stevenage FC. Brings Category 1–4 academies into the 3sL ecosystem, providing structured development exposure beyond standard academy training.
The pinnacle event. All roads lead to Wembley. Local rounds → Regional → Semi-finals → Grand Final. The aspirational summit of the 3sL ecosystem — a knockout that brings together every band, every arc, every club. Pre-Season 4 target.
The digital layer. The 3sL app will bring live GameDay information, league tables, squad management, and Masters Series leaderboards to players, coaches, and parents. Built to make 3sL visible and engaging beyond the pitch.
backed by data
3sL is not just a format — it is a data-generating platform. Every GameDay captures structured behavioural data across four domains. This feeds an active academic research pipeline that will independently validate what 3sL produces in young players — to help evolve the game we love and the betterment of the player's experience.
Manchester United proved the principle at 4v4 (Fenoglio, 2003). FA research quantified the uplift at 3v3. The 3sL Masters Matrix turns these principles into measurable behavioural clarity — validated across a five-GameDay arc.
| Supervisor | Institution | Role & Specialism |
|---|---|---|
| Darren Nolan PhD | University of Hertfordshire | Lead supervisor · applied sport science · sport coaching |
| Dr Chris Pocock | University of Chichester | Skill acquisition · sport & exercise psychology · visual exploratory activity in elite academy football |
| Dr Oliver Runswick | King's College London | Performance psychology · Editor in Chief, Perceptual and Motor Skills · Chair, Expertise & Skill Acquisition Network |
| Rick Fenoglio | Independent | Advisor · Author of the Manchester United 4v4 Pilot Scheme (2003) — the foundational research that proved small-sided formats deliver exponentially more meaningful actions per player. Also authored the Manchester United Academy Syllabus and Academy Performance Plan (EPPP). Former Senior Lecturer in Football, Manchester Metropolitan University (30 years). Project experience with The FA, The Premier League, The Football League, The PFA, and Northwest Academies. |
| Ieuan Lewis | Independent | Technical Advisor · Master of Science · Premier League - EHOC · Uefa A Diploma · FA AYA · PGCE + QTLS · Head of Football Mill Hill School · engaged |
| Jacque Edouard | 3sL Chairman | Technical Advisor · Uefa A Diploma · FA YA · Schools · Communities · International & National · Academy experience |
The research team listed reflects individuals engaged in Phase 1 alignment discussions with 3sL. Formal supervisory appointments are subject to institutional confirmation.
This is not a credibility partnership. This is the scientific foundation for what 3sL already does — and the mechanism that will independently validate it.
Does 3v3 increase decision-action density versus larger formats?
Adaptation
Transfer
Dose–Response
Predictive Validity
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