In order to attract, develop and retain players and to align with International standards for youth development, U.S Soccer has mandated specific standards for all members of U.S. Soccer which are known as Player Development Initiatives (PDI). As a member of U.S. Soccer, AYSO has implemented PDI as outlined below.

Birth Year Registration

• Players are registered according to a January 1 to December 31 calendar

	6U 6 Years old and younger	8U 8 Years old and younger	10U 10 Years old and younger	12U 12 Years old and younger
2020 - 21 Season	Born 2016 or Before	Born 2014 or Before	Born 2012 or Before	Born 2010 or Before
2021 - 22 Season	Born 2017 or Before	Born 2015 or Before	Born 2013 or Before	Born 2011 or Before
2022 - 23 Season	Born 2018 or Before	Born 2016 or Before	Born 2014 or Before	Born 2012 or Before
2023 - 24 Season	Born 2019 or Before	Born 2017 or Before	Born 2015 or Before	Born 2013 or Before
2024 - 25 Season	Born 2020 or Before	Born 2018 or Before	Born 2016 or Before	Born 2014 or Before
2025 - 26 Season	Born 2021 or Before	Born 2019 or Before	Born 2017 or Before	Born 2015 or Before

Small Sided Games

• Develop improved skills with the ball
• Players improve confidence and comfort with basic ball skills (dribbling, trapping, passing, etc...) 
• Develop intelligence with and without the ball
• Promote faster decisions and better awareness 
• Develop partnerships within the team   

	6U 6 Years old and younger	8U 8 Years old and younger	10U 10 Years old and younger	12U 12 Years old and younger
Field Size Ranges  (yards)	Length: 25 - 35 Width: 15 - 25	Length: 25 - 35 Width: 15 - 25	Length: 55 - 65 Width: 35 - 45	Length: 70 - 80 Width: 45 - 55
Maximum Goal Size (feet)	Height: 4 Width: 6	Height: 4 Width: 6	Height: 4 Width: 6	Height: 4 Width: 6
Ball Size	3	3	4	4
Players	4v4 No GK	4v4 No GK	7v7 GK	9v9 GK
Game Time (minutes)	4x10	4x10	2x25	2x30
Offside	No	No	Yes	Yes

Player Development Philosophy 6U and 8U

• Formal games are not needed so playing with and against teammates at the end of each training session (1-2 per week) should be sufficient
• Formal rosters and teams are not needed so having a flexible and fluid approach to training and playing is recommended
• Results and standings should not be recorded
• Travel should be limited as much as possible
• Players should not be participating in events (tournaments, showcases, festivals, etc.)
• Remember that safety and fun are the top priorities so make adjustments as needed to ensure both are being promoted

Concussion Initiative 6U and 8U

• Per U.S. Soccer’s Concussion Initiative, if a player is suspected to have a head injury the referee* is instructed to stop play to allow for treatment/evaluation as needed
• If the player leaves the field of play for additional evaluation, a substitution can be made in that moment
• The player with the suspected head injury may not return to the game unless a Health Care Professional (HCP) or Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) has cleared the player
• Any coach or parent insisting on returning the player to the game without approved clearance will result in the referee* ending the game
  *Since there is no referee in 6U and 8U, this responsibility falls to the coaches and parents involved
• Deliberate heading is not allowed in 6U and 8U games
• If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense
• In a controlled and individual environment (where heading is an isolated skill being taught away from any form of opposition or other aspects of the game), the use of lightweight balls (foam, balloon, etc.) would be acceptable for teaching heading technique

Player Development Philosophy 10U

• The training-to-game ratio should be 2-3 training sessions per game played
• Rosters should include no more than 12 players
• Players should participate in no more than 20 games per calendar year and in no more than one game per day
• Every player should play a minimum of 50% of the time in each game
• Results and standings should not be recorded
• Players should have a minimum of 2 rest days per week during the season along with planned breaks from organized soccer during the calendar year
• Any travel should be limited to no more than an hour away
• Events (tournaments, showcases, festivals, etc.) should provide a predetermined number of games with no advancement, placement games or champions

Concussion Initiative 10U

• Deliberate heading is not allowed in 10U games
•  Per U.S. Soccer’s Concussion Initiative, if a player is suspected to have a head injury the referee is instructed to stop play to allow for treatment/evaluation as needed
•  In a controlled and individual environment (where heading is an isolated skill being taught away from any form of opposition or other aspects of the game), the use of lightweight balls (foam, balloon, etc.) would be acceptable for teaching heading technique
•  If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense
•  If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred
•  If the player leaves the field of play for additional evaluation, a substitution can be made in that moment
•  The player with the suspected head injury may not return to the game unless a Health Care Professional (HCP) or Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) has cleared the player
•  Any coach or parent insisting on returning the player to the game without approved clearance could result in the referee ending the game

Build Out Line 10U

• The build out line promotes playing the ball out of the back in a less pressured setting
• When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent, the opposing team must move behind the build out line until the ball is put into play
• Once the opposing team is behind the build out line, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball into play before or beyond the build out line. (punts and drop kicks are not allowed)
• If a goalkeeper punts or drop kicks the ball, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense
• If the punt or drop kick occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred
• After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal
• The opposing team must also move behind the build out line until the ball leaves the penalty area.
• The build out line will also be used to denote where offside offenses can be called
• Players cannot be judged to be in an offside position between the halfway line and the build out line
• Players can be judged to be in an offside position between the build out line and goal line

Build Out Line Practical Applications 10U

• Ideally, the goalkeeper will wait to put the ball into play once all opponents are past the build out line
• However, the goalkeeper can put the ball into play sooner but he or she does so accepting the positioning of the opponents and the consequences of how play resumes
• To support the intent of the development rule, coaches and referees should be mindful of any intentional delays being caused by opponents not retreating in a timely manner or encroaching over the build out line prior to the ball being put into play
• Coaches are responsible for addressing these types of issues with their players
• Referees can manage the situation with misconduct if deemed appropriate
• Referees should be flexible when enforcing the 6 second rule and counting the time of possession should only begin when all opponents have moved behind the build out line

Player Development Philosophy 12U

• When the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball into play
• The training-to-game ratio should be 2-3 training sessions per game played
• Rosters should include no more than 16 players
• Players should participate in no more than 30 games per calendar year and in no more than one game per day
• Every player should play a minimum of 50% of the time in each game
• Players should have a minimum of 2 rest days per week during the season along with planned breaks from organized soccer during the calendar year
• Events (ex: tournaments, showcases, festivals, etc.) should provide a predetermined number of games with no advancement, placement games or champions

Concussion Initiative 12U

• Deliberate heading is not allowed in 12U games
• If a player deliberately heads the ball in a game, an indirect free kick should be awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense
• If the deliberate header occurs within the goal area, the indirect free kick should be taken on the goal area line parallel to the goal line at the nearest point to where the infringement occurred
• Per U.S. Soccer’s Concussion Initiative, if a player is suspected to have a head injury the referee is instructed to stop play to allow for treatment/evaluation as needed
• If the player leaves the field of play for additional evaluation, a substitution can be made in that moment
• The player with the suspected head injury may not return to the game unless a Health Care Professional (HCP) or Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) has cleared the player
• Any coach or parent insisting on returning the player to the game without approved clearance could result in the referee ending the game
• In a controlled and individual environment (where heading is an isolated skill being taught away from any form of opposition or other aspects of the game), the use of lightweight balls (foam, balloon, etc.) would be acceptable for teaching heading technique