1. NEBRASKA STATE SOCCER Dealing with the new mandates and changes to youth soccer

2. Introduction Name Club Role in Club

3. CHANGES Birth Year Small-Sided Numbers Field Sizes (includes goal sizes) Playing Rules - Offside/Play Out Line Heading

4. Birth Year Changes

5. What This Means In summary, we have to read the charts by “the age of the player when the competition ended” meaning:

6. EXAMPLE If you go to the chart, the 2017-18 season for U7 is the 2011 birth year. For the purposes of calculation, it is the second year of a split-year competitive season which determines what number should be used to calculate age group. Calculation: 2018-2011= (U)7 (2 nd year)- (birth year)= (U)age

7. How Nebraska State Soccer Will Adjust Add in U19 age group to all competitions To avoid players aging out of an age group during a season, the new top age group for youth competitions is U19. This change aligns with the birth year standard and makes sure that players are not eliminated from participating during the second half of a season. In short, all the existing U18 leagues should become U19 in the 2016-17 season and this change should cascade down the age groups (Ex: U17 becomes U18, U16 becomes U17, etc.).

8. Our suggestion Use birth year titles as much as possible – The “U” age group titles can be confusing, especially since they are different than we currently use. – To avoid confusion we suggest labeling teams, tryouts, and programs by birth year Ex. 2002 team (2003’s can play up, but the team is playing in the 2002 age group)

9. This Includes Nebraska League State Cup – per US Youth Kohl’s Cup – per US Youth Team Formation

10. SMALL-SIDED NUMBERS

11. How Nebraska State Soccer Will Adjust We will make these changes starting with the fall season of 2016, for the 2016/17 season

12. Field Sizes We plan to implement the field sizes starting with the fall 2016, 2016/17 season. We will allow and work with all members with regards to the goal sizes and getting the proper sized goals in place. Our goal is to have all members playing in correct goal sizes by the mandated timeline of the summer of 2017

13. Playing Rules – Play Out Line The play out line, which we will cover in more detail in just a moment, is found 14 yards from each goal line. The play out line is used to promote playing the ball out of the back in an unpressured setting. When the goalkeeper has the ball, either during play or from a goal kick, the opposing team must move behind the play out line.

14. Field Types and Progression

15. Play-Out Line Once the opposing team is behind the play out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball to a teammate. Punting the ball is not allowed as this would defeat the purpose of the play out line and reduces the opportunity to play out of the back in an unpressured setting. After the ball is put into play, the opposing team can then cross the play out line and play can resume as normal.

16. Offside At U9/U10 2016/2017 implementation as “work in progress” Not every game will have linesmen

17. PLAN OF ATTACK AGM Seminar December / January Webinars 4 part email series Meetings with League Directors Consistent communication Ultimately, we are here to help all clubs/leagues anytime they need us

18. Team Formation 2016 will include 2006 – 1998 birth years Player Registration Software – Jeff / Molly

19. Player Registration Both systems, League One and Affinity, will be prepared for al the changes.

20. Recommendations to Clubs Nebraska State Soccer recommends clubs implement the changes as soon as possible. Evaluate all your rosters and club structure. We know it will be uncomfortable, but the sooner you get through it, the more stable the long run. For your tryouts – list it by birth year, you can form teams as you like, but see what options you get at tryouts

21. Other Issues/Concerns ????