About InternationalFast3s
Revolutionizing youth football with our innovative 3v3 format focused on skill development and character building
Our Mission
InternationalFast3s was founded with a clear mission: to create a football format that maximises both skill development and character building for young players.
We believe that by focusing on small-sided games with high involvement, self-refereeing, and consistent positive reinforcement, we can develop not just better footballers, but better people.
Our revolutionary 3v3 format ensures every child gets maximum touches on the ball, makes hundreds of decisions per session, and learns valuable life skills like leadership, honesty, and respect.
"We don't just develop players, we develop character."
— Ryan Docherty, Founder
Our Core Values
These principles guide everything we do at InternationalFast3s
Excellence
We strive for excellence in every aspect of our program, from coaching to organization, ensuring the best possible experience for every child.
Inclusion
We welcome players of all abilities, backgrounds, and experience levels. Everyone deserves the chance to enjoy football and develop their skills.
Innovation
We continuously evolve our format based on research and feedback, creating the most effective development environment for young players.
Integrity
We promote honesty and fair play in every match. When players referee themselves, they learn the importance of integrity both on and off the pitch.
Character First
While we develop great football skills, we believe character development comes first. Respect, leadership, and sportsmanship are central to our approach.
Lifelong Learning
We believe in the power of continuous improvement. Our players develop a growth mindset that will serve them throughout their lives.
"InternationalFast3s has completely transformed how we approach youth development. The focus on maximum touches, decision-making, and player-led games creates an environment where players improve rapidly while having more fun than ever."
Our Story
The journey that led to InternationalFast3s
InternationalFast3s was founded by Ryan Docherty, a UEFA A-licensed coach with a passion for youth development. After years of observing traditional football formats, Ryan identified a significant gap in how young players were being developed.
In 2020, he began experimenting with a new format that would maximise touches on the ball, decision-making, and overall engagement. The 3v3 small-sided format quickly showed remarkable results, with players demonstrating accelerated development in both technical skills and game understanding.
What began as a local innovation in Scotland quickly gained attention throughout the UK. Coaches, parents, and most importantly, the players themselves, were drawn to the fast-paced, high-involvement nature of the games.
As word spread about the effectiveness of the format, InternationalFast3s was officially established to bring this revolutionary approach to youth development to a wider audience. Today, we continue to grow, guided by our core mission of developing both skills and character through our unique football format.
Why Choose InternationalFast3s?
What makes our approach different from traditional football formats
Player-Centered Development
- 5-10x more touches on the ball than traditional formats
- Self-referred matches build leadership and responsibility
- Small squads ensure maximum playing time for all
- Conditioned games develop specific skills in every match
Character Development
- Sportsmanship is scored alongside goals
- Players learn to resolve conflicts independently
- Teamwork and communication are emphasized
- Focus on enjoyment builds lifelong love of the game