1. Understanding the New Player Development Initiatives for Small Sided Games

2. 2016 Soccer Expo Presentation
Implementing the new Player Development Initiatives for Small Sided Games (Working your way through the maze)
Cal North CYSA
2016 Soccer Expo Presentation by
Recreation Committee

3. Reason for the “Player Development Initiative (PDIs)”
To achieve success when it comes to individual player development.
Through these initiatives, U.S. Soccer’s goal is to develop players with more individual skill, intelligence, creativity and confidence.
These changes also provides a consistent approach focusing on the development of the individual player versus the success of a team.

4. When will these Initiatives be implemented ?
U.S. Soccer recommends putting these initiative into place as a best practice beginning in August of 2016, as they will be mandated in August of 2017.

5. Who is required to follow these Initiatives ?
All of the U.S. Soccer’s membership is required to put these initiatives into place no later than August of 2017.
This includes, but is not limited to, all youth affiliated members and their respective competitions: US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, AYSO, SAY, …etc.

6. U6’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 2011 4v4
Maximum Roster – 12 players (suggested)
Game length – Four 8 minute quarters
Breaks between quarters – 5 minutes
Field Size – 20 yards x 30 yards
Goal Size – 4 feet high, 6 feet wide
No Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 3
No Offsides
Coach/Parent referee
Heading not allowed

7. U7’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 2010 4v4
Maximum Roster – 12 players (suggested)
Game length – Four 8 minute quarters
Breaks between quarters – 5 minutes
Field Size – 20 yards x 30 yards
Goal Size – 4 feet high, 6 feet wide
No Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 3
No Offsides
Coach/Parent referee
Heading not allowed

8. U8’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 2009 4v4
Maximum Roster – 12 players (suggested)
Game length – Three 15 minute periods
Breaks between periods – 5 minutes
Field Size – 20 yards x 30 yards
Goal Size – 4 feet high, 6 feet wide
No Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 3
No Offsides
Coach/Parent referee
Heading not allowed

9. U9’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 2008 7 v7
Maximum Roster – 14 players (suggested)
Game length – Two 25 minute halves
Breaks between halves – 10 minutes
Field Size – 30 yards x 47 yards
Goal Size – 6 1/2 feet high, 18 1/2 feet wide
Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 4
Build out on the Back line
Offsides
1 Referee/2 Club Assistant Referees
Heading not allowed

10. U10’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 2007
7 v7
Maximum Roster – 14 players (suggested)
Game length – Two 25 minute halves
Breaks between halves – 10 minutes
Field Size – 30 yards x 47 yards
Goal Size – 6 1/2 feet high, 18 1/2 feet wide
Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 4
Build out of the Back line
Offsides
1 Referee/2 Club Assistant Referees
Heading not allowed

11. U11’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 2006 9v9
Maximum Roster – 16 players (suggested)
Game length – Two 30 minute halves
Breaks between halves – 10 minutes
Field Size – 47 yards x 75 yards
Goal Size – 6 1/2 feet high, 18 1/2 feet wide
Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 4
Offsides
1 Referee/2 Club Assistant Referees
Not allowed

12. U12’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 2005 9v9
Maximum Roster – 16 players (suggested)
Game length – Two 30 minute halves
Breaks between halves – 10 minutes
Field Size – 47 yards x 75 yards
Goal Size – 6 1/2 feet high, 18 1/2 feet wide
Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 4
Offsides
1 Referee/2 Club Assistant Referees
Minimal Heading training allowed only during practice – not allowed in games

13. U13’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 2004
11v11
Maximum Roster – 18 players
Game length – Two 35 minute halves
Breaks between halves – 15 minutes
Field Size – 75 yards x 115 yards
Goal Size – 8 feet high, 24 feet wide
Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 5
Offsides
1 Referee/2 Assistant Referees
Minimal Heading training allowed only during practice – not allowed in games

14. U14’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 2003
11v11
Maximum Roster – 18 players
Game length – Two 35 minute halves
Breaks between halves – 15 minutes
Field Size – 75 yards x 115 yards
Goal Size – 8 feet high, 24 feet wide
Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 5
Offsides
1 Referee/2 Assistant Referees
Heading Allowed

15. U15’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 2002
11v11
Maximum Roster – 18 players
Game length – Two 40 minute halves
Breaks between halves – 15 minutes
Field Size – 75 yards x 115 yards
Goal Size – 8 feet high, 24 feet wide
Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 5
Offsides
1 Referee/2 Assistant Referees
Heading Allowed

16. U16’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 2001
11v11
Maximum Roster – 18 players
Game length – Two 40 minute halves
Breaks between halves – 15 minutes
Field Size – 75 yards x 115 yards
Goal Size – 8 feet high, 24 feet wide
Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 5
Offsides
1 Referee/2 Assistant Referees
Heading Allowed

17. U17’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 2000
11v11
Maximum Roster – 18 players
Game length – Two 45 minute halves
Breaks between halves – 15 minutes
Field Size – 75 yards x 115 yards
Goal Size – 8 feet high, 24 feet wide
Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 5
Offsides
1 Referee/2 Assistant Referees
Heading Allowed

18. U18’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 1999
11v11
Maximum Roster – 18 players
Game length – Two 45 minute halves
Breaks between halves – 15 minutes
Field Size – 75 yards x 115 yards
Goal Size – 8 feet high, 24 feet wide
Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 5
Offsides
1 Referee/2 Assistant Referees
Heading Allowed

19. U19’s For this coming fall this would be for children born in 1998
11v11
Maximum Roster – 18 players
Game length – Two 45 minute halves
Breaks between halves – 15 minutes
Field Size – 75 yards x 115 yards
Goal Size – 8 feet high, 24 feet wide
Goalkeepers
Ball Size – 5
Offsides
1 Referee/2 Assistant Referees
Heading Allowed

20. Are the Goal and Field sizes the exact sizes required ?
Small Sided Standards
Are the Goal and Field sizes the exact sizes required ?
No. The field & goal sizes listed are the maximum sizes for each age group.
U.S. Soccer understand that facilities and clubs don’t change overnight so members should do their best to adhere to the sizes provided acknowledging that it may take time to fully comply.

21. Small Sided Standards
What is the purpose of including Quarters & Periods at certain Age Matrix instead of Halves ?
The transition from 4 Quarters to 3 Periods to 2 Halves provides a gradual evolution to the full game from the physical and cognitive development perspective of the players.
This should also reduce over-coaching during the game. Coaches can also manage substitution in a more controlled environment during the break in play.

22. Small Sided Standards
Are the formations (System of Play) listed required for 7v7 and 9v9 play ?
The recommended (System of Play) for the 7v7 game model are or and for the 9v9 game model are or
These (System of Play) are Recommended, but not Mandated.

23. U13’s & Older Teams
Are there any changes in the older Age Groups aside from playing in Age Pure Teams ?
Other than extending the time break between halves - No. U.S. Soccer is examining some potential changes. More information on these changes will be communicated with members when available.

24. Are the Goal and Field sizes the exact sizes required ?
Small Sided Standards
Are the Goal and Field sizes the exact sizes required ?
No. The field & goal sizes listed are the maximum sizes for each age group.
U.S. Soccer understand that facilities and clubs don’t change overnight so members should do their best to adhere to the sizes provided acknowledging that it may take time to fully comply.

25. Heading
Why were new rules regarding heading implemented in U13’s age groups and younger?
Protecting the health and safety of athletes and preventing injuries is critically important to U.S. Soccer. U.S. Soccer has taken a lead in education, research and proposing rule changes to improve player safety for several years, and is looking forward to continuing in that leadership position with the release of the player safety.
As such, for children 10 and under heading has been eliminated and the amount of heading in practice has been limited for children between 11 and 13.

26. Building out of the Back line
Why will there be a line in U9’s & U10’s?
To promote playing the ball out of the back. When the goalkeeper has the ball (either during play or from a goal kick) the opposing team will need to drop behind the build out line (15 yards from each end line). Once the opposing team is behind the build out line the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball to a teammate (no punting will be allowed). After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal.

27. Building out of the Back line

28. Recap

29. Thank you for attending
Questions ???
Bruce Weaver - Board Member at Large
Hervi Rualo - State Recreation Chair
Craig Winans - 2nd Vice Chair

30. Closing and Final Thoughts
What can I do to support the New Player Development Initiatives?
Unless we all do this together, we won’t be successful. U.S. Soccer acknowledge that these changes are not easy, so this is why there is a 2 year implementation window.
Change of this magnitude takes time and it can be uncomfortable. This presentation is based on all current information U.S. Soccer has currently released.
Because of this U.S. Soccer asks that the entire soccer community have patience as these changes are implemented, and trust that these and future initiatives will lead to long-term success in the area of Player Development.