US Youth Soccer Laws of the Game

Small Sided Games Manual for U6 through U13 In-House Recreational Soccer Teams

U6 Standards of play:
US Soccer Rules of the Game dictate play.
No Heading of the soccer ball will be permitted.
Size 3 ball.
Goal size: 4'x6'
Games will be played on HSC Field 1a, 1b, 2 and 3.
Coed 4v4 or 5v5 (No goalkeeper initially).
Four games will be played concurrently (Team 1 experienced v. Team 2 experienced; Team 1 less-experienced v. Team 2 less-experienced)
Shin guards are required.
Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any time.
Games will be played at 5 minute intervals for 1 hour.
Kick offs, free kicks, goal kicks and corner kicks are used to start or restart play.
Kick-ins are the preferred restart from a touchline (in lieu of a throw-in) to practice directional passing with intent.
Goal kicks and corner kicks should be taken in the general vicinity of the respective goal or corner.
If used, all free kicks are indirect.
Opponents should be 5-10 feet away from the ball on all restarts.
No penalty kicks.
No offside.

U8 Standards of play:
US Soccer Modified Rules of the Game dictate play.
No Heading of the soccer ball will be permitted.
Size 3 ball.
Goal size: 6' x 12'.
Games will be played on HSC Field 1 and possibly 2.
Coed 7v7 (6v6 with a goalkeeper) & 5v5 (4v4 with a goalkeeper).
Shin guards are required.
Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage of play.
Games will be played for 4 periods of 12 minutes.
Kick offs, free kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are used to start or restart play.
Free kicks may be indirect or direct.
Teams do not need to switch sides between periods.
No offside.

U10 Standards of play:
US Soccer Rules of the Game dictate play.
No Heading of the soccer ball will be permitted.
Size 4 ball.
Goal size: 6'x18'.
Games will be played on HSC Field 6.
Coed 7v7 (6v6 with a goalkeeper).
Shin guards are required.
Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage of play.
Games will be played for 4 periods of 12 minutes.
Kick offs, free kicks, throw-ins ,goal kicks and corner kicks are used to start or restart play.
Free kicks may be indirect or direct.
Penalty kicks will be called.
Teams should switch sides at the half.
Offsides will be called using the Build Out Line. Instituted by US Soccer as of August 2016 (see page 29-33 of Small Sided Games Manual).


U13 In-House Standards of play:
US Soccer Rules of the Game dictate play.
Heading of the soccer ball will be permitted.
Size 5 ball
Goal size: 8'x21' 
Games will be played on HSC Field 4.
Coed 9V9 (8v8 with a goalkeeper)
Shin guards are required.
Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage of play.
Games will be played for 2 halves of 20-25 minutes.
Kick offs, free kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are used to start or restart play.
Free kicks may be indirect or direct.
Penalty kicks will be called.
Teams should switch sides at the half.
Offsides will be called.

Should enrollment numbers allow - U13 Should be:
US Soccer Modified Rules of the Game dictate play.
Heading of the soccer ball will be permitted.
Size 5 ball.
Goal size: 8'x21' or 8'x24'
Games will be played on HSC Field 5.
Coed 9v9 (8v8 with a goalkeeper) or Coed 11v11 (10v10 with a goalkeeper)
Shin guards are required.
Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage of play.
Games will be played for 2 halves of 30 minutes.
Kick offs, free kicks, throw-ins, goal kicks and corner kicks are used to start or restart play.
Free kicks may be indirect or direct.
Penalty kicks will be called.
Teams should switch sides at the half.
Offsides will be called.

U13 Travel Above Standards of play:
US Soccer Modified Rules of the Game dictate play.
Heading of the soccer ball will be permitted.
Size 5 ball.
Goal size: 8'x24'
Games will be played on HSC Field 6.
Coed 11v11 (10v10 with a goalkeeper). 
Shin guards are required.
Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage of play.
U13 Games will be played for 2 halves of 35 minutes.
U14 Games will be played for 2 halves of 40 minutes.
U18 Games will be played for 2 halves of 45 minutes.
Kick offs, free kicks, throw-ins ,goal kicks and corner kicks are used to start or restart play.
Free kicks may be indirect or direct.
Penalty kicks will be called.
Teams should switch sides at the half.
Offsides will be called.

Small Sided Game Resource:

44 Small Sided Game Ideas

Highlander Soccer Club Curriculum:

Under 6

Under 8

Under 10

Under 14

Practice Plans and Video Links:

US Youth Soccer Video Resources for Practice Planning