FIFA 11+ Kids Training Program May Help Prevent Injuries in Young Female Soccer Players

Research Suggests Targeted Training Can Improve Balance and Strength in Girls’ Soccer

Female youth soccer players face unique injury risks compared with male players, especially when it comes to knee, ankle, and other lower extremity injuries. A new pilot study suggests that a targeted injury prevention program called FIFA 11+ Kids may help young female athletes improve important physical qualities linked to safer movement, including dynamic balance and lower body strength coordination.

The research, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, examined whether the FIFA 11+ Kids program could improve strength, balance, agility, and movement control in girls aged 8 to 11 who participate in competitive soccer.

The findings suggest that adding a structured neuromuscular training program to regular soccer practice may help young athletes develop better movement patterns and physical control, potentially reducing their risk of future injuries.

Why Female Soccer Players Have Higher Injury Risks

Soccer requires players to constantly accelerate, slow down, jump, land, and change direction. These rapid movements place significant stress on the lower body, particularly the knees and ankles.

Researchers have noted that female soccer players often have certain physical differences that can influence injury risk. These include lower hip strength, reduced trunk stability, and movement patterns that may increase stress on the knee during cutting, pivoting, and landing.

Young athletes between the ages of 8 and 14 are also in an important stage of physical development. During growth periods, changes in strength, coordination, and body control can affect how players move on the field.

Because many soccer injuries are linked to poor neuromuscular control, experts have increasingly focused on prevention programs that train athletes to move more efficiently.

What Is the FIFA 11+ Kids Program?

The FIFA 11+ Kids program was developed as a youth-focused version of the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program. It is designed to improve strength, coordination, balance, stability, and safe movement techniques in younger soccer players.

The program includes a series of exercises that focus on:

• Running and movement skills
• Jumping and landing control
• Single-leg balance
• Core and body stability
• Coordination exercises
• Falling techniques

The exercises become progressively more difficult as athletes improve. The goal is not only to build strength but also to teach young players how to control their bodies during challenging soccer movements.

In the study, participants completed the FIFA 11+ Kids program twice per week for eight weeks. Each session lasted about 15 minutes and was performed in addition to their regular soccer training.

How the Study Was Conducted

The researchers recruited 26 female soccer players between the ages of 8 and 11 from competitive youth soccer clubs.

Participants were divided into two groups:

• 14 players completed the FIFA 11+ Kids program
• 12 players continued with normal soccer training only

Before and after the eight-week period, researchers tested several areas of athletic performance, including:

• Dynamic balance
• Hip and quadriceps strength
• Jumping ability
• Hop performance
• Agility

The researchers used the Y-Balance Test to measure dynamic balance. This test evaluates how well an athlete can maintain control while standing on one leg and reaching in different directions.

They also measured the relationship between glute muscle strength and quadriceps strength, known as the glute-to-quadriceps ratio. A better balance between these muscle groups may contribute to improved knee and lower limb stability.

Key Findings From the Research

The study found that players who completed the FIFA 11+ Kids program showed improvements in several important areas.

Improved Dynamic Balance

One of the strongest findings was improved dynamic balance.

Girls in the FIFA 11+ Kids group showed better performance in certain Y-Balance Test measurements compared with the control group. Better dynamic balance can help athletes maintain control when running, cutting, or landing.

Researchers suggested that balance may not naturally improve with age in the same way that strength and speed do. This means balance training may need to be specifically practiced during youth development.

Better Glute-to-Quadriceps Strength Balance

The FIFA 11+ Kids group also improved their glute-to-quadriceps strength ratio.

The glute muscles, especially the gluteus medius, play an important role in controlling the hips and knees during movement. Weakness in these muscles has been associated with increased stress on the lower body.

Although the program did not significantly increase individual glute or quadriceps strength, it improved the relationship between these muscle groups, which may support better movement mechanics.

No Major Changes in Speed or Jump Performance

The study did not find significant improvements between groups in several areas, including:

• Agility tests
• Jump testing
• Overall power measurements

Both groups improved in some hop-related measures, but the FIFA 11+ Kids group did not show clear advantages over regular training alone in these areas.

This suggests that the main benefits of the program may be related more to movement quality, stability, and injury prevention rather than immediate improvements in athletic performance.

Why Injury Prevention Training Matters for Young Athletes

Many young soccer players focus heavily on technical skills, shooting, passing, and game performance. While these skills are essential, physical preparation is equally important.

A player who can control their body during sudden movements may be better prepared to handle the physical demands of soccer.

Injury prevention programs can help young athletes develop:

• Better landing techniques
• Stronger movement patterns
• Improved coordination
• Greater body awareness
• More balanced muscle function

These improvements may become especially valuable as athletes grow older and the speed and intensity of competition increase.

Experts Recommend Starting Early

The researchers highlighted that injury prevention training may be most effective when introduced before major physical maturation.

During childhood and early adolescence, athletes are developing movement habits that can continue into their teenage and adult years. Teaching proper mechanics early may help create safer movement patterns over time.

The study authors suggested that programs like FIFA 11+ Kids could become part of regular soccer routines, such as warm-ups before practice sessions.

A short 15-minute program performed consistently may provide meaningful benefits without requiring large changes to a team’s schedule.

Limitations of the Study

Although the findings are promising, the researchers noted several limitations.

The study involved a relatively small number of participants, with only 26 players completing the research. Larger studies are needed to confirm whether the program can directly reduce injury rates.

The intervention lasted only eight weeks, so researchers could not determine the long-term effects of using FIFA 11+ Kids throughout an entire soccer season.

The study also did not collect certain information, such as levels of physical maturation, body composition, or other factors that could influence development.

Future research involving larger groups and longer follow-up periods will help determine how effective the program is for preventing injuries over multiple seasons.

Practical Takeaway for Players, Parents, and Coaches

For youth soccer teams, adding injury prevention exercises does not need to be complicated.

A structured program like FIFA 11+ Kids can provide young athletes with additional training focused on balance, coordination, and strength control.

Coaches and parents who support young players may consider incorporating these types of exercises into weekly training routines, especially during periods of rapid growth when movement changes can increase injury risk.

The goal is not only to help players perform better today but also to build physical foundations that support long-term participation in sport.

Conclusion

The FIFA 11+ Kids program shows promise as a simple and practical tool for improving movement quality in young female soccer players.

According to the pilot study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, eight weeks of twice-weekly training improved dynamic balance and lower body strength coordination in girls aged 8 to 11.

While more research is needed to confirm whether the program reduces actual injury rates, the findings support the idea that early neuromuscular training can play an important role in youth sports development.

For young soccer players, developing strength, balance, and body control may be just as important as practicing skills with the ball.

Source

Jackson J, Ankersen J, Lambert B, Hedt C, Goble H, Holderread B, Beuses L, Liberman S. “Fédération Internationale de Football Association 11+ Kids Program Improves Dynamic Balance in Youth Female Soccer Players: A Pilot Study.” Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 2026;34(7):e959-e969. DOI: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-25-00010.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Individual injury risks and training needs vary depending on age, health status, fitness level, and other personal factors. Athletes, parents, and coaches should consult qualified healthcare professionals or sports medicine specialists for personalized guidance.