Small-Sided Format and Calendar Year Age Groups Mandated for 2017

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USSF Establishes Player Development Initiatives
Small-Sided Format and Calendar Year Age Groups Mandated for 2017

On July 5, 2015 the USSF Board of Directors approved the “Player Development Initiatives” developed and proposed by the National Coaching Staff. These initiatives mandate a small-sided games format for Under 12 and younger age groups along with a move to calendar-year registration for all age groups.
The initiatives contain a graduated implementation schedule which include adoption as a Best Practice beginning in August, 2016 followed by mandatory implementation in August of 2017. National affiliates, such as US Youth Soccer (USYS) are free to adopt these initiatives earlier into their programing if they choose to do so.

Cal South is working diligently to assess the impact to National, State, and local programs. We will begin the process to develop an implementation and transition plan to facilitate these new requirements and enable us and our affiliates to execute these initiatives effectively. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.
A copy of the “Player Development Initiatives” slide deck distributed by USSF is provided as reference material.
Please contact Cal South’s Director of Coaching and Education, Steve Hoffman at shoffman@calsouth.com or (805) 331-1522 should you have any questions concerning these initiatives.
USSF Player Development Initiatives (PDF File)

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Here's the PDF referenced by PP

http://www.calsouth.com/data/Root/CS...nt+Initiatives

Outside of Age Groups, its not terribly different from what florida does with 6v6, 8v8, 11v11. Albiet it's much different for Texas, California and the Northeastern teams that start playing 11v11 at u10.

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Here's the PDF referenced by PP

http://www.calsouth.com/data/Root/CS...nt+Initiatives

Outside of Age Groups, its not terribly different from what florida does with 6v6, 8v8, 11v11. Albiet it's much different for Texas, California and the Northeastern teams that start playing 11v11 at u10.

Age grouping will dramatically affect teams structured with kids with birthdays Aug-Dec. dramatic power shift, particularly on girls side. For example Sunrise rising U15, two time state champs loses half their team, ECNL power shifts also on west coast, Texas and in south eastern conference- example Gsa rising U15 loses 8 players. San Diego Surf who just played in U14 championship would lose 12 of 21 on roster. After next season there will be a large scramble for teams to rebuild

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Age grouping will dramatically affect teams structured with kids with birthdays Aug-Dec. dramatic power shift, particularly on girls side. For example Sunrise rising U15, two time state champs loses half their team, ECNL power shifts also on west coast, Texas and in south eastern conference- example Gsa rising U15 loses 8 players. San Diego Surf who just played in U14 championship would lose 12 of 21 on roster. After next season there will be a large scramble for teams to rebuild

Thankfully we will age out of this and will be glad to leave this youth stuff behind. Not sure why it matters at all where you slice the pie. half of the kids will fall on one side or the other. I'm sure it really amounts to those in power believing that it is a problem for male players; thats the system they are trying to "fix" to give an extra advantage to or believe they will, but whatever , but requiring it across the board?

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Here's the PDF referenced by PP

http://www.calsouth.com/data/Root/CS...nt+Initiatives

Outside of Age Groups, its not terribly different from what florida does with 6v6, 8v8, 11v11. Albiet it's much different for Texas, California and the Northeastern teams that start playing 11v11 at u10.

I'm in my early 40's, originally from Mass. and I can't remember ever playing anything other than 11v11, and that had to be from U10 or earlier. Does anyone recall when the small-sided initiative actually began in Florida or elsewhere? Maybe once more of our small-sided-grown kids become of age, we'll actually begin to see US soccer become more competitive with the rest of the world.

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I'm in my early 40's, originally from Mass. and I can't remember ever playing anything other than 11v11, and that had to be from U10 or earlier. Does anyone recall when the small-sided initiative actually began in Florida or elsewhere? Maybe once more of our small-sided-grown kids become of age, we'll actually begin to see US soccer become more competitive with the rest of the world.

I strongly disagree with the small-sided initiative. I think practice should be small-sided for many of the reasons stated, yet the game should be full sided as early as u10.

Playing full side makes a kid very position aware in my experience. No more running around the field and trying to get into every play. Structure is very important in a full sided game. Best to learn that around 9 or 10 and not 12 or 13. Small sided is great for practice.

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I strongly disagree with the small-sided initiative. I think practice should be small-sided for many of the reasons stated, yet the game should be full sided as early as u10.

Playing full side makes a kid very position aware in my experience. No more running around the field and trying to get into every play. Structure is very important in a full sided game. Best to learn that around 9 or 10 and not 12 or 13. Small sided is great for practice.

It's about more touches on the ball. Ever watch a u10 11v11? Some kids don't see the ball for 15 minutes.

It's also about efficiencies. Ideally two coaches would have 8 players each and on game day divide into 2 teams. Each coach would manage/ref with half of each team and everyone gets more touches. Let the kids try different things. It's like pickup or street soccer. Less structure and more touches plus the freedom to try whatever.

The rest of the world does it this way. We are the only ones that can't seem to get on board with it because we need full sided 9 year olds........

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It's about more touches on the ball. Ever watch a u10 11v11? Some kids don't see the ball for 15 minutes.

It's also about efficiencies. Ideally two coaches would have 8 players each and on game day divide into 2 teams. Each coach would manage/ref with half of each team and everyone gets more touches. Let the kids try different things. It's like pickup or street soccer. Less structure and more touches plus the freedom to try whatever.

The rest of the world does it this way. We are the only ones that can't seem to get on board with it because we need full sided 9 year olds........

yes, I know. the real game of soccer is like that. I am saying competitive soccer should be full sided. Practice and free play should be small sided, involve tons of touches and be lots of fun for kids. at least, allow kids the option. there is no where in florida to play full sided until u12 or u13. why not allow this format in some tournaments as an option for those teams that want it?

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Age grouping will dramatically affect teams structured with kids with birthdays Aug-Dec. dramatic power shift, particularly on girls side. For example Sunrise rising U15, two time state champs loses half their team, ECNL power shifts also on west coast, Texas and in south eastern conference- example Gsa rising U15 loses 8 players. San Diego Surf who just played in U14 championship would lose 12 of 21 on roster. After next season there will be a large scramble for teams to rebuild

Why do you think it affects the girls more????? That's a stupid remark. It affects boys just as much. Maybe more. It is unfair to do to established high school level teams. Those at the high school level ( u14- u17) should be grandfathered.

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the cut off date should be October 1. a nice comporomise

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It is unfair to do to established high school level teams. Those at the high school level ( u14- u17) should be grandfathered.

Agreed. What are the seniors in high school born between sept to end of year supposed to do when the rest of their birth year is in college and they have no team they are allowed to play on?

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They will have a combined age group. They wont leave kids stranded. Stop fretting. There wont be any issues beyond minor social ones which will blow over quickly as kids adjust.
ECNL already accommodates kids outside of the age limit still in highschool- Trapped U18.
Boys U18 DA is the older birth year in the senior class plus then next. Right now 96/97. The ECNL will want to stay the darling if the USSF with questions of a girls DA in the air. They will adopt the calendar age quickly to show support for the USSF best practice. Look to 2016 for that. If they were smart they would also echo the boys DA at the same time and go with combined ages at U14, U16 and U18 with off years playing NPL

[Unregistered]

USSF Establishes Player Development Initiatives
Small-Sided Format and Calendar Year Age Groups Mandated for 2017

On July 5, 2015 the USSF Board of Directors approved the “Player Development Initiatives” developed and proposed by the National Coaching Staff. These initiatives mandate a small-sided games format for Under 12 and younger age groups along with a move to calendar-year registration for all age groups.
The initiatives contain a graduated implementation schedule which include adoption as a Best Practice beginning in August, 2016 followed by mandatory implementation in August of 2017. National affiliates, such as US Youth Soccer (USYS) are free to adopt these initiatives earlier into their programing if they choose to do so.

Cal South is working diligently to assess the impact to National, State, and local programs. We will begin the process to develop an implementation and transition plan to facilitate these new requirements and enable us and our affiliates to execute these initiatives effectively. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.
A copy of the “Player Development Initiatives” slide deck distributed by USSF is provided as reference material.
Please contact Cal South’s Director of Coaching and Education, Steve Hoffman at shoffman@calsouth.com or (805) 331-1522 should you have any questions concerning these initiatives.
USSF Player Development Initiatives (PDF File)

Where is the link to any official announcement, for this blue that appears to be a press release Is this a scam?

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yes, I know. the real game of soccer is like that. I am saying competitive soccer should be full sided. Practice and free play should be small sided, involve tons of touches and be lots of fun for kids. at least, allow kids the option. there is no where in florida to play full sided until u12 or u13. why not allow this format in some tournaments as an option for those teams that want it?

why don't you just say your a parent and you are clueless and want to see kids play on the big field. its a joke. small sided is about touches under pressure and learning to escape via 1v1 or 1-2 touch, movement off the ball and much more action. its why futsal and street play dominates in other countries WE in the US SUCK!!! 11v11 doesn't make sense till 14 and above. once you master the technical aspect of the game the tactical/mental teaching is more involved and quickly developed with a system based coach.

[Unregistered]

They will have a combined age group. They wont leave kids stranded. Stop fretting. There wont be any issues beyond minor social ones which will blow over quickly as kids adjust.
ECNL already accommodates kids outside of the age limit still in highschool- Trapped U18.
Boys U18 DA is the older birth year in the senior class plus then next. Right now 96/97. The ECNL will want to stay the darling if the USSF with questions of a girls DA in the air. They will adopt the calendar age quickly to show support for the USSF best practice. Look to 2016 for that. If they were smart they would also echo the boys DA at the same time and go with combined ages at U14, U16 and U18 with off years playing NPL

Well the da is going to single birth years starting next year at u12.