Historically, youngsters across various ages engaged in 11 versus 11 contests on full pitches. However, the FA launched mini-soccer for under-10s in 1999.

This approach aimed to give children greater chances to touch the ball and participate more actively compared to bigger team formats.

Previously, the introductory level for kids under seven was 5v5 until last season concluded.

Recently, this has shifted down to 3v3.

In this setup, there are no goalkeepers or referees. With fewer players per side, each child gets increased ball touches and more scoring opportunities.

It stems from two years of study by the FA alongside Liverpool John Moores University, which reviewed over 400 matches from under-6 to under-14 levels.

"All of the research done demonstrates that those players having more touches of the ball are more engaged in the game," John Folwell, the FA's head of grassroots coach development, told BBC Sport.

"They are also making more decisions and are engaged in more physical activity, so that is the thinking behind it.

"There are no goalkeeper and no substitutes, so everyone is active in the game. They are not sitting on the side watching their mates play, or they are not standing in goal watching their friends play. They are actually involved in the game."

Since the new format started only weeks ago, teams and coaches will need time to adjust fully.

The compact style brings logistical challenges, requiring more games along with additional coaches and volunteers.

BBC Breakfast recently visited Collingham FC in Nottinghamshire to observe how local coaches are handling the update.

"We have three pitches going on at once and all it needs is one parent to be at work and you are trying to keep an eye on three games and nine children at once," said Michael Bland, coach of Collingham FC's under-7s.

"It is the self-officiating, dangerous tackles flying in and trying to teach the kids what a safe tackle is."

Mick Goodwin has coached youth football since the 1990s and has witnessed the shift from 11-a-side to the current small-sided model.

"My concern is you will get one dominant player in the 3v3 where the not-so-good players will not get a touch of the ball," he said.

"What we've seen is the dominant player has been shooting from the halfway line.

"We can absolutely see the concept, I just think it needs a bit of finessing and it will be fine."

One frequent criticism of the smaller format involves the absence of goalkeepers and potential effects on their growth.

The 3v3 phase lasts only 12 months, with goalkeepers returning at under-8 level in the 5v5 game.

"When you make decisions like this, there are obvious trade-offs but we don't believe it is going to be detrimental to the development of future goalkeepers," Folwell added.

"Obviously playing 3v3, players can't use their hands but they are still going to be developing skills of blocking, sliding across, needing to get between the ball and the goal.

"They will also improve their ability on the ball, which we know for goalkeepers now is an increasing technique they need to have.

"We don't believe that goalkeeping is an early specialisation position. There are lots of examples of players who have come through and ended up being goalkeepers at a later age - England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, for example, first played outfield for a long time."

Any impact on English player development will only become evident after several years.

England is not unique in choosing 3v3 at under-7 level, as the format already exists in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and elsewhere.

In fact, it continues to gain traction globally.

"It is the first year of adoption and obviously these things can take time to implement and for people to accept change," Folwell said.

"What we have seen is that once people have experienced it they tend to be a convert and understand why we are doing it, because the children really love it."