Rules and Regulations
USA Soccer Changes
Parents & Coaches,
New U.S. Soccer initiatives have been implemented as of August 1, 2016. These will result in significant changes to the youth soccer environment, and will have implications for Iowa Soccer members.
These new coaching initiatives can be split into two major categories:
- Birth Year Registration
- Small-Sided Game Standards
Birth Year Registration
Currently the age group registration cut-off date has been August 1 through July 31. This was designed to form teams within the same academic grade.
The new age group registration is based on calendar year. The new cut-off dates will be January 1 through December 31 of any given year. This is consistent with the other 208 FIFA countries that register youth players by their year of birth. Players born between January 1 and December 31 in a year will now play on the same team — unless a player is “playing up” in an older age group.
Small Sided Standards
For small-sided play there will be a number of changes including playing numbers, roster sizes, field sizes, goal sizes, game lengths and rules.
For example, the U10 age group will now include the offside(s) rule and a build-out line. A build-out line is used to encourage players to play the ball out of the back instead of the goalkeeper punting the ball.
Player Development Initiatives
A resource for parents, coaches, and referees supporting the growth and improvement of grassroots soccer