U.S. Soccer youth soccer rules: formats, match length and playing time (2026)
U.S. Soccer publishes small-sided soccer standards in its Player Development Initiatives. These records cite the February 2017 document hosted by US Youth Soccer, with formats, durations and age-specific heading restrictions. Its playing-time philosophy is explicitly not mandated.
How to read this page
These pages use a sourced dataset snapshot. Check document dates for your season; official documents and applicable local competition rules take precedence. “Not specified” means the dataset has no value for that field, so check your local rules.
What are the rules for each age band?
U6, U7, U8 [1]
| Age group | U6, U7, U8 |
|---|---|
| Format | 4v4 |
| Players on field | 4 |
| Match length | 40 minutes (maximum) |
| Match length basis | maximum |
| Periods | 4 × 10 minutes |
| Period guidance | 4 quarters, no more than 10 minutes each; 5 minute breaks between quarters; playing time can be less when managed by coaches and parents |
| Ball size | 3 |
| Goalkeeper | No |
| Heading rule | Deliberate heading not allowed in 4v4 games; indirect free kick to opponents from the spot of the offence. |
| Substitutions | Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any time. |
| Minimum playing time policy | Philosophy (best practice, not mandated): everyone should participate a minimum of 50% of the time. |
| Build-out or retreat line | No build-out line at 4v4. No offside. |
U9, U10 [2]
| Age group | U9, U10 |
|---|---|
| Format | 7v7 |
| Players on field | 7 |
| Match length | 50 minutes (fixed) |
| Match length basis | fixed |
| Periods | 2 × 25 minutes |
| Period guidance | 2 halves of 25 minutes; 10 minute halftime; no added time |
| Ball size | 4 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | Deliberate heading not allowed in 7v7 games; indirect free kick to opponents from the spot of the offence (if in goal area, taken on the goal area line). |
| Substitutions | Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage. |
| Minimum playing time policy | Philosophy (best practice, not mandated): every player should play a minimum of 50% of the time in each game. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Build-out line used (equidistant between penalty area line and halfway line). Opponents must retreat behind it when the goalkeeper has the ball in hand or on a goal kick; goalkeeper punts and drop kicks not allowed (indirect free kick). Offside applies only between the build-out line and the goal line. |
U11 [3]
| Age group | U11 |
|---|---|
| Format | 9v9 |
| Players on field | 9 |
| Match length | 60 minutes (fixed) |
| Match length basis | fixed |
| Periods | 2 × 30 minutes |
| Period guidance | 2 halves of 30 minutes; 10 minute halftime; no added time |
| Ball size | 4 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | Deliberate heading is not allowed in U11 games; indirect free kick to opponents from the spot of the offence. |
| Substitutions | Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage. |
| Minimum playing time policy | Philosophy (best practice, not mandated): every player should play a minimum of 50% of the time in each game. |
| Build-out or retreat line | No build-out line specified for 9v9. Offside applies (standard Law 11). |
U12 [4]
| Age group | U12 |
|---|---|
| Format | 9v9 |
| Players on field | 9 |
| Match length | 60 minutes (fixed) |
| Match length basis | fixed |
| Periods | 2 × 30 minutes |
| Period guidance | 2 halves of 30 minutes; 10 minute halftime; no added time |
| Ball size | 4 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | Heading allowed in U12 games without limitation under the PDI, but member organisations are empowered to limit or ban it at this level. |
| Substitutions | Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage. |
| Minimum playing time policy | Philosophy (best practice, not mandated): every player should play a minimum of 50% of the time in each game. |
| Build-out or retreat line | No build-out line specified for 9v9. Offside applies (standard Law 11). |
Notes and qualifications
- U6, U7, U8: U.S. Soccer-authored document (copyright 2016 U.S. Soccer) hosted on US Youth Soccer's site; no copy of the PDF was found on ussoccer.com itself. The chart on p.12 lists U6/U7/U8 with 'Game Time 4x10'. Small-sided standards 'will be mandated in August 2017'; the 50% playing-time line sits in the 'Player Development Philosophy' section which the document says is 'not currently mandated'. No referee required at 4v4. Back to age band
- U9, U10: Game may not start or continue with fewer than 5 players on a team. Roster guidance: no more than 12 players (philosophy, not mandated). Field 55-65 x 35-45 yards; max goal 6.5 ft x 18.5 ft. The ussoccer.com story describes the build-out line as '14-yards in front of each goal'; the PDF says 'equidistant between the penalty area line and halfway line' - treat the yardage as approximate. Back to age band
- U11: Chart labels columns U11 and U12 separately; both are 9v9 with identical format/duration/ball, but the heading rule differs, so they are recorded as separate rows. Game may not start or continue with fewer than 6 players. Roster guidance: no more than 16 (philosophy). Field 70-80 x 45-55 yards; max goal 7 ft x 21 ft. Back to age band
- U12: See U11 row. Member bodies (e.g. AYSO, US Youth Soccer) apply their own heading rules at 12U/U12 - see their rows. Back to age band
What this means for your lineup
These equal-share examples use the recorded on-field count and match length, with 2, 3, 4 or 5 substitutes. For formats with options or a maximum, they use the dataset’s numeric count. Maximum durations remain maxima. Check roster limits in the rules and footnotes; example rosters may exceed them. Alongside the mathematical 50% result, check substitution windows, goalkeeper duties, eligibility conditions and any higher local minimum. Times are rounded to the nearest second.
U6, U7, U8
Using 4 on the field for 40 minutes (maximum). Recorded format: 4v4.
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 6 players (+2) | 26:40 (66.7%) | Yes |
| 7 players (+3) | 22:51 (57.1%) | Yes |
| 8 players (+4) | 20:00 (50%) | Yes |
| 9 players (+5) | 17:47 (44.4%) | No |
U9, U10
Using 7 on the field for 50 minutes (fixed). Recorded format: 7v7.
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 9 players (+2) | 38:53 (77.8%) | Yes |
| 10 players (+3) | 35:00 (70%) | Yes |
| 11 players (+4) | 31:49 (63.6%) | Yes |
| 12 players (+5) | 29:10 (58.3%) | Yes |
U11
Using 9 on the field for 60 minutes (fixed). Recorded format: 9v9.
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 11 players (+2) | 49:05 (81.8%) | Yes |
| 12 players (+3) | 45:00 (75%) | Yes |
| 13 players (+4) | 41:32 (69.2%) | Yes |
| 14 players (+5) | 38:34 (64.3%) | Yes |
U12
Using 9 on the field for 60 minutes (fixed). Recorded format: 9v9.
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 11 players (+2) | 49:05 (81.8%) | Yes |
| 12 players (+3) | 45:00 (75%) | Yes |
| 13 players (+4) | 41:32 (69.2%) | Yes |
| 14 players (+5) | 38:34 (64.3%) | Yes |
Build a rotation with the free lineup builder for 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11.
Sources
Quotations below are reproduced verbatim from the dataset.
U6, U7, U8
Size 3 ball; 4v4 (no goalkeepers); Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any time; 4 quarters; No more than 10 minute quarters
Retrieved:
Additional source: U.S. Soccer: Five Things to Know: How Small-Sided Standards Will Change Youth Soccer (Aug 2017)
U9, U10
U.S. Soccer, Player Development Initiatives (February 2017) - 7v7 Standards of Play
7v7 (6 field players and 1 goalkeeper) ... Substitutions are unlimited and can occur at any stoppage ... 2 halves; 25 minutes halves; 10 minute halftime; No added time
Retrieved:
Additional source: U.S. Soccer: Five Things to Know: How Small-Sided Standards Will Change Youth Soccer (Aug 2017)
U11
U.S. Soccer, Player Development Initiatives (February 2017) - 9v9 Standards of Play
Deliberate heading is not allowed in U11 games. Heading is currently allowed in U12 games without limitations but membership is empowered to limit or ban heading
Retrieved:
U12
U.S. Soccer, Player Development Initiatives (February 2017) - 9v9 Standards of Play
9v9 (8 field players and 1 goalkeeper) ... 2 halves; 30 minutes halves; 10 minute halftime; No added time
Retrieved:
Corrections welcome: report a correction with an official source.
Plan your next game
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Which youth soccer formats does U.S. Soccer list?
U6, U7, U8: 4v4. U9, U10: 7v7. U11, U12: 9v9.
What minimum playing time does U.S. Soccer specify?
U6, U7, U8: Philosophy (best practice, not mandated): everyone should participate a minimum of 50% of the time. U9, U10, U11, U12: Philosophy (best practice, not mandated): every player should play a minimum of 50% of the time in each game.
How long are the youth soccer matches in these U.S. Soccer records?
U6, U7, U8: 40 minutes (maximum). U9, U10: 50 minutes (fixed). U11, U12: 60 minutes (fixed).