US YOUTH SOCCER
2016 / 2017 Soccer Year
US Youth Soccer School Year versus Birth Year Player Registration
Birth year registration and the small sided standards will be mandated in August 2017. Some members
have chosen to adopt earlier as a best practice and will begin implementing in August 2016.
School Year Registration (8/1 – 7/31)
For those clubs and leagues planning to continue to use the previous method of player registration
please use the chart below. Please note that age groups are labeled Under and then age; i.e., Under 14
or U14 or U-14. Please also note that all members of US Youth Soccer must make the change to birth
year registration per the U. S. Soccer mandate by August of 2017.
Soccer
Year
Birth
Year
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
20162017
20172018
20182019
20192020
20202021
20212022
20222023
20232024
20242025
U6
U7
U8
U9
U10
U11
U12
U13
U14
U15
U16
U17
U18
U19
U7
U8
U9
U10
U11
U12
U13
U14
U15
U16
U17
U18
U19
U8
U9
U10
U11
U12
U13
U14
U15
U16
U17
U18
U19
U9
U10
U11
U12
U13
U14
U15
U16
U17
U18
U19
U10
U11
U12
U13
U14
U15
U16
U17
U18
U19
U11
U12
U13
U14
U15
U16
U17
U18
U19
U12
U13
U14
U15
U16
U17
U18
U19
U13
U14
U15
U16
U17
U18
U19
U14
U15
U16
U17
U18
U19
US YOUTH SOCCER
Birth Year Registration (1/1 – 12/31)
Registering players according to a January 1 to December 31 timeframe.
For those clubs or leagues adopting player registration by year of birth for the 2016-2017 soccer year,
here is a chart that shows the birth year for that season. Again, please note that when determining the
age group for a season, the year the competition ends should be used. For example, a player born in
2007 would be in the 10 and Under age group for the 2016-2017 soccer year (2017 – 2007 = 10.)
20162017
6-U
7-U
8-U
9-U
10-U
11-U
12-U
13-U
6 years
old and
younger
7 years
old and
younger
8 years
old and
younger
9 years
old and
younger
10 years
old and
younger
11 years
old and
younger
12 years 13 years
old and old and
younger younger
Born in
2011
Born in
2010
Born in
2009
Born in
2008
Born in
2007
Born in
2006
Born in
2005
Born in
2004
Born in
2012
Born in
2011
Born in
2010
Born in
2009
Born in
2008
Born in
2007
Born in
2006
Born in
2005
Soccer
Year
20172018
Soccer
Year
Heading Restriction Implementation Recommendations
Deliberate heading is not allowed in U11 games. When teams are formed under the school registration
format then much of the team roster is comprised of 10-year-olds. If a 10-year-old is playing with
players 11 years old then none of the players may head the ball in a match.
Teams formed by birth year registration may have 10-year-olds on an 11 and Under team. US Youth
Soccer recommends in that case none of the players may head the ball in a match - if a player 10 or
younger is on either team then none of the players may head the ball.
If a 10-year-old or younger player is playing in an age group older than 11-U (ex: 10-year-old playing with
a 12-U team), a 10-year-old or younger player may not head the ball regardless of the age group in
which the 10-year-old participates. Special note: the overriding principle is that a player age 10 or
younger may not head the ball no matter which age group the player plays in. This requires education
and support from the coach and parent to instruct the player accordingly.
US Youth Soccer suggests that any league that combines 11-U and 12-U for competition should strongly
consider not allowing heading in any game in that combined group’s play.
US YOUTH SOCCER
The 11-U play group is the group most affected by players age 10 and younger because players turn 11
years old over the range of a year. Therefore, deliberate heading is not allowed in 11-U games.
If a 10-year-old or younger player is playing in an age group older than 11-U (ex: 10-year-old playing with
a 12-U team), a 10-year-old or younger player may not head the ball regardless of the age group in
which the 10-year-old participates.
Special note: the overriding principle is that a player age 10 or younger may not head the ball no matter
which age group the player plays in. This requires education and support from the coach and parent to
instruct the player accordingly.
US Youth Soccer suggests that any league that combines 11-U and 12-U for competition should strongly
consider not allowing heading in any game in that combined group’s play.