The Northern Illinois Soccer League (NISL) supports the US Soccer Player Development Initiative and
agrees to assist in changing our soccer culture to prioritize the development of players ahead of team.
The NISL has been established since 1975 and grown into one of the major youth leagues in the US,
with over 13,000 players, with 150+ individual clubs, and is currently a member of US Club Soccer.
The NISL, and its member clubs, has consistently developed players for college, professional, and
national levels. Working together, the NISL hopes to continue to do that for many years to come with the
support and execution at the local level.
During the last 15 years, the NISL has played small-sided games and have included this matrix as an
attachment for perusal and discussion (Please refer to small-side game attachments now, in order to
follow along with the comments).
At the core of our development there are a couple of statements we use:
“Winning easy makes players lazy.
Constant losing demotivates.”
DESCRIPTION OF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
PLAYER – A person who enjoys and plays a sport
DEVELOPMENT – Learning in stages
COMMENTS ON SOME OF OUR DIFFERENCES
PLAYING NUMBERS
U7 & U8 – NISL play 5 v 5 instead of 4 v 4
The NISL felt that children need to understand that a Goal Keeper is part of the game.
This fifth person becomes a sweeper and part time GK and can be rotated easily without
any detriment to the player’s development.
We agree with all of the playing numbers for other ages.
PLAYTIME
The NISL believes it is important that children learn early that soccer is a game of two
halves – not ¼, ⅓.
The NISL clubs believe that game times should be determined by distance and time
travelled, giving players more opportunity to play.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Up to U12, players are permitted to substitute “on the fly”, making game fluent.
ROSTER SIZES (MAX & MIN)
Our roster sizes have been determined by economics versus playing time.
FIELD SIZES
These were determined by a 110 x 75 yards field and cut in half, quarter, and ⅛.
We gave a variance on length and width so smaller fields could be accommodated easier
by Park Districts that provide fields.
All field sizes need flexibility in length and width to make it easier for clubs to
accommodate the NISL requests.
GOAL SIZES
The NISL believes that goal sizes should be part of the stages of development (Goals
grow as Field Sizes grow).
Since beginning the “Small-Sided” games, all NISL clubs have persuaded soccer
organizations and park districts to comply to the sizes we recommended, including the
field marking.
Even manufacturers adhere to the standard:
FALL BACK LINE
With some of the level of development and some organizations, the NISL feels that
players U10 and below need to have time before being closed down.
Suggestion = No Tackling in opponent’s half by the attacking team. Only interception and
allowed pressure, but no contact.
We look forward to a lively discussion with our DOC’s and with their cooperation; we
believe it can get done.
The NISL believes that, based upon our playing formats, we should become a US Soccer-Sanctioned
Competitive League. As a US Club member, we believe that clubs develop players and the league
provides the environment to accomplish that.
We have attachments for your perusal along with these comments to aid you with our thought process.
The NISL awaits with interest your reply.
Sincerely,
Peter G. Richardson
Northern Illinois Soccer League (NISL) President
YOUTH SOCCER PLAYING NUMBERS & SIZES
U7
U8
U9
U10
U11
U12
U13
U14
5 vs 5
5 vs 5
7 vs 7
7 vs 7
9 vs 9
9 vs 9
11 vs 11
11 vs 11
11 vs 11
10 vs 10
9 vs 9
8 vs 8
7 vs 7
6 vs 6
5 vs 5
4 vs 4
Playing Numbers
4 vs 4
4v4
7 vs 7
7 vs 7
9 vs 9
9 vs 9
11 vs 11
11 vs 11
Playing Time 2 x 25 min 2 x 25 min 2 x 30 min 2 x 30 min 2 x 35 min 2 x 35 min 2 x 40 min 2 x 40 min
Max Roster Size
Min Roster Size
4 x 8 min
10
5
Field Size - L 30-40 yds
x
Field Size - W 25-35 yds
+ / - 5 yds
30 yds
Goal Size - H
Goal Size - W
Penalty Area
Distance From Ball
Ball Size
Substitution
Offsides
Kicks
Penalty
Red Cards
(Players)
x
20 yds
4.5 ft
x
9 ft
4 ft
3 x 15 min 2 x 25 min 2 x 25 min 2 x 30 min 2 x 35 min 2 x 35 min 2 x 40 min
10
12
12
14
30-40 yds
x
50-60 yds
50-60 yds
20 yds
47 yds
x
70-80 yds
30 yds
x
30 yds
47 yds
30 yds
75 yds
47 yds
5
25-35 yds
x
4.5 ft
x
9 ft
7
35-45 yds
x
6.5 ft
x
12 ft
7
35-45 yds
x
6.5 ft
x
12 ft
9
x
45-55 yds
x
6.5 ft
x
18 ft
14
9
18
11
18
11
70-80 yds 100-120 yds 100-120 yds
x
x
x
45-55 yds
60-70 yds
60-70 yds
47 yds
75 yds
75 yds
75 yds
x
6.5 ft
x
120 yds
x
8 ft
x
120 yds
x
8 ft
x
18 ft
24 ft
24 ft
18 ft
24 ft
24 ft
4 ft
6.5 ft
6.5 ft
6.5 ft
6.5 ft
6 yds
6 yds
10 yds
10 yds
14 yds
14 yds
18 yds
18 yds
3
3
4
4
4
4
5
5
x
6 ft
4 yds
x
6 ft
4 yds
x
18 ft
6 yds
18 ft
6 yds
FLY
FLY
D
D
I&D
I&D
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
FLY
x
YES
YES
FLY
YES
YES
x
18 ft
8 yds
FLY
x
8 yds
8 ft
x
10 yds
8 ft
x
10 yds
FLY
REG
REG
I&D
I&D
I&D
I&D
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
US Soccer Recomendations
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NISL RULES OF PLAY
Player development, as well as administrative and economic concerns, have all been taken into consideration regarding
the new playing standards.
NOTE: Penalty areas for every age group are the measurements from the base of the goalpost towards the sidelines
and the base of the goal post out into the field of play. Also note that player distances from the ball refer to Kick-offs and
direct kicks.
Level 1 Standards (U7 & U8 Groups)
Playing Numbers:
Playing Time:
Game Roster Size:
Field Size:
Goal Size:
Penalty Area:
Player Distance from Ball:
Level 2 Standards (U9 & U10 Groups)
Playing Numbers:
Playing Time:
Game Roster Size:
Field Size:
Goal Size:
Penalty Area:
Player Distance from Ball:
Level 3 Standards (U11 & U12 Groups)
Playing Numbers:
Playing Time:
Game Roster Size:
Field Size:
Goal Size:
Penalty Area:
Player Distance from the Ball:
5 vs 5
2 x 25-minute halves
Maximum of 10 players
Minimum of 5 players
30-40 yards long x 25-35 yards wide
4.5 feet high x 9 feet wide
6 yards
4 yards
7 vs 7
2 x 30-minute halves
Maximum of 12 players
Minimum of 7 players
50-60 yards long x 35-45 yards wide
6.5 feet high x 12 feet wide
10 yards
6 yards
9 vs 9
2 x 35-minute halves
Maximum of 14 players
Minimum of 9 players
70-80 yards long x 45-55 yards wide
6.5 feet high x 18 feet wide (7 feet x 21 feet is acceptable)
14 yards
8 yards
Level 4 Standards ( U13 & above Groups)
Playing Numbers:
Playing Time:
Game Roster Size:
Field Size:
Goal Size:
Penalty Area:
Player Distance from Ball:
11 vs 11
2 x 40-minute halves (U13, U14, U15, & U16)
2 x 45-minute halves (U17, U18, & U19)
Maximum of 18 players
Minimum of 11 players
100-120 yards long x 60-70 yards wide
8 feet high x 24 feet wide
18 yards
10 yards
Ball Sizes
Ball sizes will not follow the direct level of the charts. They will be secured as follows:
Size 3: U7 & U8
Size 4: U9, U10, U11, & U12
Size 5: U13 & above
Substitutions
A. U7 through U12 (9v9) Age Group (Excluding Premiership & Championship)
In all games played in the N.I.S.L. U7 through U11 age group, substitution will be allowed as follows:
1. Substitution shall be limited to a maximum of three players per substitution.
2. Players who have been substituted for may re-enter the game.
3. U10 Leagues and below for exuberant players, the referee should escort the player
to the bench for a 5 minute time out penalty. This player may be substituted.
4. U11 & U12. Substitution is not allowed for players ejected from the game.
5. Substitution can be made without the consent of the referee under the following
circumstances:
A. The player being substituted for must have left the field of play at the
touchline directly in front of his team’s technical area.
B. Each player must identify whom he or she is substituting for.
(High five, hand shake, or hug)
Failure to follow the above procedures could result in referee awarding a five-minute penalty against
the offending team. (Play short)
Technical area is the area directly in front of the team’s bench.
B. U12 through U19 Premiership & Championship Age Group
In all games played in the N.I.S.L. U12 through U 19 age group substitution will be allowed as follows:
1. Substitution shall be unlimited.
2. Players who have been substituted for may re-enter the game.
3. Substitution is not allowed for players ejected from the game.
4. Substitution can be made with the consent of the referee at the following times:
A. Prior to a throw in by the team who has possession
B. Prior to a goal kick by either team
C. After a goal by either team
D. After an injury on either team- when referee stops the play
E. After a caution by offending team- when referee stops the play
F. At half-time
Offside
N.B. Substitution is not permitted prior to a corner kick by either team.
There are no offside for U7 and U8.
Kicks
Every kick is direct at U7 & U8 age groups.
Penalty Kicks
There are no penalty kicks for U7 & U8 age groups. All kicks must be outside the area and must be direct.
Red Cards
No red cards are used for U7, U8, U9 and U10 Leagues. There is, however, a time-out for exuberant players.
U11 Leagues and above, players can be red carded and ejected from a game. (Before, During or After)
Matters not Provided For
There are no throw-ins for Level 1. Kick-ins are permitted.
LEVEL 1
Build Out Lines
15 yrds
4 yrds
4 yrds radius
1/2 the distance
10 yrds
6 yrds
30 - 40 yrds
Goal Size -
LEVEL 2
12 yrds
4.5 ft High X 9 ft Wide
Build Out Lines
1/2 the distance
6 yrds radius
14 yrds
25 - 35 yrds
1/2 the distance
6 yrds
16 yrds
8 yrds
4 yrds
1/2 the distance
35 - 45 yrds
6 yrds
8 yrds
50 - 60 yrds
Goal Size -
6.5 ft High X 12 ft Wide
LEVEL 3
14 yrds
1/2 the distance
17.5 yrds
8 yrds radius
10 yrds
1/2 the distance
45 - 55 yrds
8 yrds
6 yrds
10 yrds
70 - 80 yrds
LEVEL 4
18 yrds
Goal Size -
6.5 ft High X 18 ft Wide
1/2 the distance
22 yrds
10 yrds radius
6 yrds
10 yrds
1/2 the distance
60 - 70 yrds
10 yrds
12 yrds
100 - 120 yrds
Goal Size -
8 ft High X 24 ft Wide
DEVELOPMENT PYRAMID
1. Chicago National Premier League
2. Chicago Premier League
3. Chicago Championship League
4. Platinum Division
5. Gold Divsion
6. Silver Division
7. Bronze Division
8. Red Division
9. White Divsion
10. Blue Division
11. Green Division
12. Orange Division
NISL AGE CUT-OFF FOR 2016 -`17 SEASON
APR 2000
FEB 2001
MAR 2001
APR 2001
FEB 2002
MAR 2002
APR 2002
FEB 2003
MAR 2003
APR 2003
FEB 2004
MAR 2004
APR 2004
FEB 2005
MAR 2005
APR 2005
FEB 2006
MAR 2006
APR 2006
FEB 2007
MAR 2007
APR 2007
FEB 2008
MAR 2008
APR 2008
FEB 2009
MAR 2009
APR 2009
AUG 2000
JUL 2001
AUG 2001
JUL 2002
AUG 2002
JUL 2003
AUG 2003
JUL 2004
AUG 2004
JUL 2005
AUG 2005
JUL 2006
AUG 2006
JUL 2007
AUG 2007
JUL 2008
AUG 2008
JUL 2009
AUG 2009
JAN 2001
JAN 2002
JAN 2003
JAN 2004
JAN 2005
JAN 2006
JAN 2007
JAN 2008
JAN 2009
SEP 2000
SEP 2001
SEP 2002
SEP 2003
SEP 2004
SEP 2005
SEP 2006
SEP 2007
SEP 2008
SEP 2009
DEC 1998
OCT 1999
NOV 1999
DEC 1999
OCT 2000
NOV 2000
DEC 2000
OCT 2001
NOV 2001
DEC 2001
OCT 2002
NOV 2002
DEC 2002
OCT 2003
NOV 2003
DEC 2003
OCT 2004
NOV 2004
DEC 2004
OCT 2005
NOV 2005
DEC 2005
OCT 2006
NOV 2006
DEC 2006
OCT 2007
NOV 2007
DEC 2007
OCT 2008
NOV 2008
DEC 2008
OCT 2009
NOV 2009
DEC 2009
MAY 1999
MAY 2000
MAY 2001
MAY 2002
MAY 2003
MAY 2004
MAY 2005
MAY 2006
MAY 2007
MAY 2008
MAY 2009
JUN 1999
JUN 2000
JUN 2001
JUN 2002
JUN 2003
JUN 2004
JUN 2005
JUN 2006
JUN 2007
JUN 2008
JUN 2009
U18
U17
97-2
MAR 2000
JUL 2000
JAN 2000
SEP 1999
NOV 1998
JUN 1998
Played at 2015/16
U16
98-2
FEB 2000
AUG 1999
OCT 1998
MAY 1998
Played at 2015/16
Played at 2015/16
U15
99-2
APR 1999
DEC 1997
Played at 2015/16
U14
00-2
MAR 1999
JUL 1999
JAN 1999
SEP 1998
NOV 1997
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
Played at 2015/16
U13
01-2
FEB 1999
AUG 1998
OCT 1997
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/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
/
Played at 2015/16
U12
02-2
APR 1998
JUL 1998
JAN 1998
SEP 1997
1997
1997
1998
1998
1999
1999
2000
2000
2001
2001
2002
2002
2003
2003
2004
2004
2005
2005
2006
2006
2007
2007
2008
2008
2009
2009
Played at 2015/16
U11
03-2
MAR 1998
AUG 1997
JUN 1997
Played at 2015/16
U10
04-2
FEB 1998
JUL 1997
MAY 1997
Played at 2015/16
05-2
APR 1997
U09
06-2
MAR 1997
U07
Played at 2015/16
U08
Played at 2015/16
07-2
FEB 1997
08-2
JAN 1997
Played at 2015/16