US Soccer
Initiatives
Dear Piedmont Soccer Community:
Due to further changes in the US Soccer Mandates, PSC has revised some of it’s policies to ensure we
are in line with the mandated changes coming to youth soccer in the US. Please read through our revised
press release (key changes in blue)…
As you are probably already aware, US Soccer recently came out with new mandatory initiatives to help
improve the development of young soccer players in our country. The list of changes affecting our club
are as follows:
- Aligning players according to birth year (Jan 1 to Dec 31), rather than the existing age matrix
using July 31st as the demarcation line for aligning like-age players.
- Changing the setup of small sided games
- Number of players on the field
- U6-8: 4v4
- U9-10: 7v7
- U11-12: 9v9
- U13+: 11v11
- Field sizes to be made smaller to enable more creative soccer players
- Introducing a 'play out line' for the U9 and U10 age groups, so that teams are encouraged to
play the ball out from the defensive third
- Placing an emphasis on development rather than winning at young ages.
The list above summarizes the all the changes, but for the complete US Soccer initiatives document,
please click the below link:
http://www.ussoccer.com/~/media/files/coaches/2015/2015-player-development-initiatives.pdf?la=en
You can also check out this article from goalnation on why US Soccer is making these changes:
http://goalnation.com/ussf-changes-youth-soccer/
ALL clubs in the US must adhere to the changes and they will be coming into play from Spring 2016
(competitive) and Fall 2016 (recreational). These initiatives will affect players, coaches, families, teams,
as well as our overall club structure and will initially be tough, but as a club, we are pleased with US
Soccer's commitment to player development and believe in these changes.
Here you can find the final implementation plan from NorCalPremier, which is the organisation most of our
Highlander teams play through:
http://www.norcalpremier.com/home/894044.html
The matrix on the next page shows what the age groups will look like in Fall 2016. Most players will be
moving up one age group, but older players may technically skip a year (for example a player both
between August - December 2005, will go straight to U12, missing out U11).
www.piedmontsoccer.org
Fall 2016 Age Group Matrix
Birth Year
Max
Age
# of
Game Field
Roster
Group Players
Length Size
Size
Born in 2011
(or enrolled in U6/K
Kindergarten)
Goal Size
4v4
12 *
4 x 10
mins
TBD Blue Pugg
Ball
Size
# of
Referees
3
0
Born in 2010
U7
4v4
12 *
4 x 12
min
TBD
Yellow
Pugg
3
0
Born in 2009
U8
4v4 **
12 *
3 x 15
min
TBD
4x6
3
0
Born in 2008
U9
7v7
14
2 x 25
min
TBD
6.5 x 18.5
4
1
Born in 2007
U10
7v7
14
2 x 25
min
TBD
6.5 x 18.5
4
1
Born in 2006
U11
9v9
16
2 x 30
min
TBD
6.5 x 18.5
4
1
Born in 2005
U12
9v9
16
2 x 30
min
TBD
6.5 x 18.5
4
1
Born in 2004
U13
11v11
18
2 x 35
min
TBD
8 x 24
5
3
Born in 2003
U14
11v11
18
2 x 40
min
TBD
8 x 24
5
3
Born in 2002
U15
11v11
18
2 x 40
min
TBD
8 x 24
5
3
Born in 2001
U16
11v11
18
2 x 40
min
TBD
8 x 24
5
3
Born in 2000
U17
11v11
18
2 x 45
min
TBD
8 x 24
5
3
Born in 98 or
99
U19
11v11
18
2 x 45
min
TBD
8 x 24
5
3
Open
Adult
11v11
18
2 x 45
min
TBD
8 x 24
5
3
* These age groups will play dual games, which means the team will divide their roster in half each game
and play simultaneous games. Rosters can be divided in any way the coaches decide.
** NorCal may change the number of players to 5v5, adding a goalkeeper to each team.
*** Max Roster Size is the maximum number of players US Soccer will allow on a game day. PSC will be
carrying smaller rosters than these for most age groups.
www.piedmontsoccer.org
These mandated changes have prompted us to review some of our own policies to ensure a smooth
transition into the new initiatives…
Play Up Policy
Rec soccer, will continue to work on a two age group basis (for example U12 Rec would be players born
in 2005 and 2006). Playing up with an older age group is generally not allowed nor recommended for
PSC recreational teams, which will be formed on an age pure basis (see age group above for 2016).
For Highlander players, playing up is generally not recommended and players are strongly encouraged to
tryout with their own age group only. If PSC feels that a player would benefit developmentally from playing
up, the club’s tryout evaluators will assess the player to see if it would be in said player’s best interests.
PSC may also allow player(s) to play up, if a team/age group requires additional players to form a team.
U8 Highlander Program
In 2016 players born in 2009 will be considered U8 for fall and as such, PSC believes that now is the right
time to form a U8 Competitive program to participate in NorCalPremier’s U8 Program. This is currently a
4v4 league (but is subject to change and become a 5v5 league) and teams will play dual games (team
split in half and playing side by side games. This is to allow maximum participation). We will be looking for
rosters of 10-12 players on each team formed. All sessions will be run by a professional trainer
throughout the season.
U6 Recreational Soccer
The new US Soccer mandates mean that the older Kindergartners born in 2010, would be considered U7
in the Fall of 2016 and would not qualify as a U6 player. To allow for maximum participation, PSC will be
allowing these older Kindergartners, the opportunity to play with their new classmates at the U6/K level.
This will be very similar to our current U6 set up with games on a Saturday run by Volunteer Coaches and
no mid-week practices. It will be open to all players in Kindergarten, regardless of birth year, plus anyone
born in 2011. This means that some older kindergarteners could either play with their classmates and
then skip U7 soccer in 2017, OR begin soccer at U6. This is a great way to introduce children to soccer
and will allow for ALL Kindergartners to play with their classmates in their first year. Finally and most importantly, regardless of the impact of these changes, our aim at Piedmont Soccer Club
is to create a family and community atmosphere, while continuing our mission of providing opportunities
to players at every age and level to grow through the sport of soccer.
If you have questions or concerns at any time, please feel free to contact Dan Chubbock (PSC, Director
of Coaching) at [email protected].
Thank you for your continued support.
Dan Chubbock,
PSC, Director of Coaching
Jeff Dorman
PSC, President
www.piedmontsoccer.org