Youth soccer can vary significantly from the standard 11-a-side adult game. Typically, players under 12 years of age will have smaller teams and play on smaller fields with a smaller ball. Upon reaching 12 years of age (the U-13 or U-14 divisions), they play full-sided.
Players age 10 to 11 years old typically play 8 per team, one of whom is the goalkeeper. Players age 8 to 9 years old typically play 6 per team, one of whom is the goalkeeper. Players age 6 to 7 years old often play 5 per team with goalkeeper, or 4 per team without a goalkeeper. Players younger than 6 usually play 3 per team with no goalkeepers, on a field about the size of a large family room.
These are typical progressions for most sanctioned youth leagues and sports clubs in the United States. Significant variation may exist from place to place, because the Laws of the Game do not specify youth rules, only that certain Laws may be modified for youth play.
Chat with our AI personalities