If you're under 10 and new to football, the full-size 11-a-side game can seem a bit scary - and may not be the best way for you to learn your skills.

That is exactly why mini soccer is the game for you. It's fast, fun and specially designed to help players under 10 get to grips with the beautiful game.

It's played on a smaller pitch, with scaled-down goals and fewer players - so whatever your position, you'll never be far from the ball.

It's a great way to get fit and improve your ball control - and when you do start playing 11-a-side you'll be ready for action.

Here's how you can start playing.

The "small sided football" section of the Football Association website has plenty of information.

If you can't wait to get playing, your county FA will point you in the right direction. The FA website has a full list.

Mini soccer in Wales is bigger than ever.

The link below will take you to the Football Association of Wales Trust website. Click 'contact', and select 'regional officers'.

The link below will take you to Irish FA website. Click 'Tech centres', then 'Mini Soccer'. Then get on the phone and get playing!

If you live in Scotland, you could try futsal - a version of the game that's hugely popular in Europe, Asia and South America.

You can also play Soccer Sevens, which involves (you guessed it) seven players per side. It's widely played in schools and is another great way to improve core skills, such as passing and ball control.

You'll find more information on the Scottish Football Association website.

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