Summary of US Soccer’s Player Development Initiatives
August 2016
Colorado Soccer Association would like to present to you, the following player development initiatives that were passed down to the states by the US soccer Association, and adopted by the US Youth Soccer Association. We understand that changes typically take time, but CSA would like to implement these following initiatives as soon as possible.
US Soccer hopes to improve the coaching and playing environments, through a grassroots effort, by changing the way the 6-12 year olds play soccer throughout the United States. The priority is on skill development. US soccer is implementing, what they feel is a long term development plan, which will incorporate the following four initiatives:
- Birth year registration
- Small Sided Games
- Concussion Policy
- Heading Policy
Birth Year Registration
US Soccer is requiring the states to change to a birth year registration system, where players will be registered by age, according to a January 1 to December 31 time frame. The following age groups shall be comprise of youth players who are of age on or before the last day of December of the current year:
- 19 years of age and under
- 18 years of age and under
- 17 years of age and under
- 16 years of age and under
- 15 years of age and under
- 14 years of age and under
- 13 years of age and under
- 12 years of age and under
- 11 years of age and under
- 10 years of age and under
- 8 years of age and under
- 6 years of age and under
Small Sided Games
US Soccer is requiring the states to move to small sided games for all players, 12 years of age and younger. New small sided standards are shown below, and in greater detail, in the attached documents:
AGE GROUP NUMBER OF PLAYERS
U6 years of age and under 4v4
U7 years of age and under 4v4
U8 years of age and under 4v4
U9 years of age and under 7v7
U10 years of age and under 7v7
U11 years of age and under 9v9
U12 years of age and under 9v93
Concussion Policy
Heading Policy
4v4 Standards
7v7 Standards
9v9 Standards