US Youth Soccer youth soccer rules: formats, match length and playing time (2026)
US Youth Soccer publishes its Policy on Players and Playing Rules. These records cite the version dated December 5, 2025. Its half-game condition belongs to the definition of a recreational league; it is not a universal minimum for every type of soccer competition.
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?
6 years of age and under (U6) [1]
| Age group | 6 years of age and under (U6) |
|---|---|
| Format | Not more than 4 per side (3 strongly recommended) |
| Players on field | 4 |
| Match length | 24 minutes (fixed) |
| Match length basis | fixed |
| Periods | 4 × 6 minutes |
| Period guidance | 4 x 6-minute quarters; no overtime; ties stand |
| Ball size | 3 |
| Goalkeeper | Not specified |
| Heading rule | Rule 305: players 10 and under shall not head the ball directly from the air in any match, nor practise heading; deliberate header = indirect free kick (ball moved outside penalty area if inside it). Mandatory for USYS-conducted events; State Associations 'strongly encouraged' to adopt. |
| Substitutions | Rule 302: substitutions unlimited except where a special competition specifies otherwise; made with the referee's consent at any stoppage in play. |
| Minimum playing time policy | No national minimum for all play. The policy's definition of a 'recreational league' requires that 'each player must play at least one-half of each game except for reasons of injury, illness, or discipline' (Rule 101 Sec. 3(16)(D)). |
| Build-out or retreat line | Not specified |
Source and verbatim quotation for 6 years of age and under (U6)
8 years of age and under (U8) [2]
| Age group | 8 years of age and under (U8) |
|---|---|
| Format | Not more than 5 per side (4 strongly recommended) |
| Players on field | 5 |
| Match length | 48 minutes (fixed) |
| Match length basis | fixed |
| Periods | 4 × 12 minutes |
| Period guidance | 4 x 12-minute quarters; no overtime; ties stand |
| Ball size | 3 |
| Goalkeeper | Not specified |
| Heading rule | Rule 305: no heading in matches or practice for players 10 and under; deliberate header = indirect free kick. |
| Substitutions | Rule 302: unlimited substitutions at any stoppage with the referee's consent. |
| Minimum playing time policy | Recreational-league definition only: each player must play at least one-half of each game except for injury, illness or discipline. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Not specified |
Source and verbatim quotation for 8 years of age and under (U8)
10 years of age and under (U10) [3]
| Age group | 10 years of age and under (U10) |
|---|---|
| Format | Not more than 7 per side (6 strongly recommended) |
| Players on field | 7 |
| Match length | 50 minutes (fixed) |
| Match length basis | fixed |
| Periods | 2 × 25 minutes |
| Period guidance | Two 25-minute halves; no overtime; ties stand |
| Ball size | 4 |
| Goalkeeper | Not specified |
| Heading rule | Rule 305: no heading in matches or practice for players 10 and under; deliberate header = indirect free kick. |
| Substitutions | Rule 302: unlimited substitutions at any stoppage with the referee's consent. |
| Minimum playing time policy | Recreational-league definition only: each player must play at least one-half of each game except for injury, illness or discipline. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Not specified |
Source and verbatim quotation for 10 years of age and under (U10)
11 years of age and under (U11) [4]
| Age group | 11 years of age and under (U11) |
|---|---|
| Format | Not more than 11 per side (8 strongly recommended) |
| Players on field | 11 |
| Match length | 60 minutes (fixed) |
| Match length basis | fixed |
| Periods | 2 × 30 minutes |
| Period guidance | Two 30-minute halves; overtime (tournaments) two 10-minute halves |
| Ball size | 4 |
| Goalkeeper | Not specified |
| Heading rule | Rule 305: players age 11 and 12 permitted to head the ball in matches; practice heading limited so no player heads more than 25 times per week. |
| Substitutions | Rule 302: unlimited substitutions at any stoppage with the referee's consent. |
| Minimum playing time policy | Recreational-league definition only: each player must play at least one-half of each game except for injury, illness or discipline. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Not specified |
Source and verbatim quotation for 11 years of age and under (U11)
12 years of age and under (U12) [5]
| Age group | 12 years of age and under (U12) |
|---|---|
| Format | Not more than 11 per side (8 strongly recommended) |
| Players on field | 11 |
| Match length | 60 minutes (fixed) |
| Match length basis | fixed |
| Periods | 2 × 30 minutes |
| Period guidance | Two 30-minute halves; overtime two 10-minute halves |
| Ball size | 4 |
| Goalkeeper | Not specified |
| Heading rule | Rule 305: players age 11 and 12 permitted to head the ball in matches; practice heading limited to 25 headers per player per week. |
| Substitutions | Rule 302: unlimited substitutions at any stoppage with the referee's consent. |
| Minimum playing time policy | Recreational-league definition only: each player must play at least one-half of each game except for injury, illness or discipline. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Not specified |
Source and verbatim quotation for 12 years of age and under (U12)
13 and 14 years of age and under (U13, U14) [6]
| Age group | 13 and 14 years of age and under (U13, U14) |
|---|---|
| Format | 11v11 (FIFA Laws of the Game; no player-count modification stated) |
| Players on field | 11 |
| Match length | 70 minutes (fixed) |
| Match length basis | fixed |
| Periods | 2 × 35 minutes |
| Period guidance | Two 35-minute halves; overtime two 10-minute halves |
| Ball size | 5 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | Rule 305: players 13 and older permitted to head the ball in matches and practice. |
| Substitutions | Rule 302: unlimited substitutions at any stoppage with the referee's consent (except where a special competition specifies otherwise). |
| Minimum playing time policy | Recreational-league definition only: each player must play at least one-half of each game except for injury, illness or discipline. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Not specified |
Source and verbatim quotation for 13 and 14 years of age and under (U13, U14)
15 and 16 years of age and under (U15, U16) [7]
| Age group | 15 and 16 years of age and under (U15, U16) |
|---|---|
| Format | 11v11 |
| Players on field | 11 |
| Match length | 80 minutes (fixed) |
| Match length basis | fixed |
| Periods | 2 × 40 minutes |
| Period guidance | Two 40-minute halves; overtime two 15-minute halves |
| Ball size | 5 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | Permitted (players 13 and older). |
| Substitutions | Rule 302: unlimited substitutions at any stoppage with the referee's consent. |
| Minimum playing time policy | Recreational-league definition only: each player must play at least one-half of each game except for injury, illness or discipline. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Not specified |
Source and verbatim quotation for 15 and 16 years of age and under (U15, U16)
17, 18 and 19 years of age and under (U17, U18, U19) [8]
| Age group | 17, 18 and 19 years of age and under (U17, U18, U19) |
|---|---|
| Format | 11v11 |
| Players on field | 11 |
| Match length | 90 minutes (fixed) |
| Match length basis | fixed |
| Periods | 2 × 45 minutes |
| Period guidance | Two 45-minute halves; overtime two 15-minute halves |
| Ball size | 5 |
| Goalkeeper | Yes |
| Heading rule | Permitted (players 13 and older). |
| Substitutions | Rule 302: unlimited substitutions at any stoppage with the referee's consent. |
| Minimum playing time policy | Recreational-league definition only: each player must play at least one-half of each game except for injury, illness or discipline. |
| Build-out or retreat line | Not specified |
Source and verbatim quotation for 17, 18 and 19 years of age and under (U17, U18, U19)
Notes and qualifications
- 6 years of age and under (U6): Rule 303 Sec. 2 says U6/U8/U10 game length is 'As Modified Rules specify' (USYSA 'Development Player Program - Modified Playing Rules'), while Sec. 1 gives the figures recorded here; the Modified Playing Rules document itself was not located. Goalkeeper not addressed in the policy. Ball #3: 23-24 in, 11-12 oz. USYS has no U9 age group in Rule 104 (groups jump from U8 to U10). Back to age band
- 8 years of age and under (U8): Note the USYS table differs from the U.S. Soccer PDI (4x10, 4v4). Rule 301 Sec. 2: State Associations may not approve games for U10 and under with more than 8 players per side. Back to age band
- 10 years of age and under (U10): Ball #4: 25-26 in, 11-13 oz. Build-out line not mentioned in this policy. Back to age band
- 11 years of age and under (U11): players_on_field records the stated maximum (11); the body 'strongly recommends' 8 (9v9 incl. GK is the common reading but the policy does not say '9v9'). This differs from the U.S. Soccer PDI (9v9). Tournament tie-breaker: FIFA kicks from the penalty mark. Back to age band
- 12 years of age and under (U12): See U11 row for the players-per-side caveat. Back to age band
- 13 and 14 years of age and under (U13, U14): The table has no 'Number of Players' entry for U13+; Rule 301 Sec. 1 applies FIFA Laws (11v11) except as modified. Ball #5: 27-28 in, 14-16 oz. Back to age band
- 15 and 16 years of age and under (U15, U16): Back to age band
- 17, 18 and 19 years of age and under (U17, U18, U19): 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.
6 years of age and under (U6)
Using 4 on the field for 24 minutes (fixed). Recorded format: Not more than 4 per side (3 strongly recommended).
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 6 players (+2) | 16:00 (66.7%) | Yes |
| 7 players (+3) | 13:43 (57.1%) | Yes |
| 8 players (+4) | 12:00 (50%) | Yes |
| 9 players (+5) | 10:40 (44.4%) | No |
8 years of age and under (U8)
Using 5 on the field for 48 minutes (fixed). Recorded format: Not more than 5 per side (4 strongly recommended).
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 7 players (+2) | 34:17 (71.4%) | Yes |
| 8 players (+3) | 30:00 (62.5%) | Yes |
| 9 players (+4) | 26:40 (55.6%) | Yes |
| 10 players (+5) | 24:00 (50%) | Yes |
10 years of age and under (U10)
Using 7 on the field for 50 minutes (fixed). Recorded format: Not more than 7 per side (6 strongly recommended).
| 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 |
11 years of age and under (U11)
Using 11 on the field for 60 minutes (fixed). Recorded format: Not more than 11 per side (8 strongly recommended).
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 13 players (+2) | 50:46 (84.6%) | Yes |
| 14 players (+3) | 47:09 (78.6%) | Yes |
| 15 players (+4) | 44:00 (73.3%) | Yes |
| 16 players (+5) | 41:15 (68.8%) | Yes |
12 years of age and under (U12)
Using 11 on the field for 60 minutes (fixed). Recorded format: Not more than 11 per side (8 strongly recommended).
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 13 players (+2) | 50:46 (84.6%) | Yes |
| 14 players (+3) | 47:09 (78.6%) | Yes |
| 15 players (+4) | 44:00 (73.3%) | Yes |
| 16 players (+5) | 41:15 (68.8%) | Yes |
13 and 14 years of age and under (U13, U14)
Using 11 on the field for 70 minutes (fixed). Recorded format: 11v11 (FIFA Laws of the Game; no player-count modification stated).
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 13 players (+2) | 59:14 (84.6%) | Yes |
| 14 players (+3) | 55:00 (78.6%) | Yes |
| 15 players (+4) | 51:20 (73.3%) | Yes |
| 16 players (+5) | 48:08 (68.8%) | Yes |
15 and 16 years of age and under (U15, U16)
Using 11 on the field for 80 minutes (fixed). Recorded format: 11v11.
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 13 players (+2) | 67:42 (84.6%) | Yes |
| 14 players (+3) | 62:51 (78.6%) | Yes |
| 15 players (+4) | 58:40 (73.3%) | Yes |
| 16 players (+5) | 55:00 (68.8%) | Yes |
17, 18 and 19 years of age and under (U17, U18, U19)
Using 11 on the field for 90 minutes (fixed). Recorded format: 11v11.
| Roster (subs) | Equal time (m:ss) | At least 50%? |
|---|---|---|
| 13 players (+2) | 76:09 (84.6%) | Yes |
| 14 players (+3) | 70:43 (78.6%) | Yes |
| 15 players (+4) | 66:00 (73.3%) | Yes |
| 16 players (+5) | 61:53 (68.8%) | Yes |
Build a rotation with the free lineup builder for 7v7, 9v9 and 11v11.
Sources
Quotations below are reproduced verbatim from the dataset.
6 years of age and under (U6)
US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing Rules, as of December 5, 2025 - Rules 301-303, 305
6 years of age and under 4 - 6' quarters NONE #3 23-24 in. 11-12 ozs. No more than 4, 3 strongly recommended
Retrieved:
8 years of age and under (U8)
US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing Rules, as of December 5, 2025 - Rules 301-303, 305
8 years of age and under 4 -12' quarters NONE #3 23-24 in. 11-12 ozs. No more than 5, 4 strongly recommended
Retrieved:
10 years of age and under (U10)
US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing Rules, as of December 5, 2025 - Rules 301-303, 305
10 years of age and under Two 25' halves NONE #4 25-26 in. 11-13 ozs. No more than 7, 6 strongly recommended
Retrieved:
11 years of age and under (U11)
US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing Rules, as of December 5, 2025 - Rules 302, 303, 305
11 years of age and under Two 30' halves Two 10' halves #4 25-26 in. 11-13 ozs. No more than 11, 8 strongly recommended
Retrieved:
12 years of age and under (U12)
US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing Rules, as of December 5, 2025 - Rules 302, 303, 305
Players age 11 and age 12 shall be permitted to head the ball in any match or competition.
Retrieved:
13 and 14 years of age and under (U13, U14)
US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing Rules, as of December 5, 2025 - Rules 301-303, 305
14 years of age and under Two 35' halves Two 10' halves #5 27-28 in. 14-16 ozs.
Retrieved:
15 and 16 years of age and under (U15, U16)
US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing Rules, as of December 5, 2025 - Rules 302, 303
16 years of age and under Two 40' halves Two 15' halves #5 27-28 in. 14-16 ozs.
Retrieved:
17, 18 and 19 years of age and under (U17, U18, U19)
US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing Rules, as of December 5, 2025 - Rules 302, 303
19 years of age and under Two 45' halves Two 15' halves #5 27-28 in. 14-16 ozs.
Retrieved:
Corrections welcome: report a correction with an official source.
Plan your next game
Pitch Time is a youth soccer coaching app that automatically generates fair playing time lineups.
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Which youth soccer formats does US Youth Soccer list?
6 years of age and under (U6): Not more than 4 per side (3 strongly recommended). 8 years of age and under (U8): Not more than 5 per side (4 strongly recommended). 10 years of age and under (U10): Not more than 7 per side (6 strongly recommended). 11 years of age and under (U11), 12 years of age and under (U12): Not more than 11 per side (8 strongly recommended). 13 and 14 years of age and under (U13, U14): 11v11 (FIFA Laws of the Game; no player-count modification stated). 15 and 16 years of age and under (U15, U16), 17, 18 and 19 years of age and under (U17, U18, U19): 11v11.
What minimum playing time does US Youth Soccer specify?
6 years of age and under (U6): No national minimum for all play. The policy's definition of a 'recreational league' requires that 'each player must play at least one-half of each game except for reasons of injury, illness, or discipline' (Rule 101 Sec. 3(16)(D)). 8 years of age and under (U8), 10 years of age and under (U10), 11 years of age and under (U11), 12 years of age and under (U12), 13 and 14 years of age and under (U13, U14), 15 and 16 years of age and under (U15, U16), 17, 18 and 19 years of age and under (U17, U18, U19): Recreational-league definition only: each player must play at least one-half of each game except for injury, illness or discipline.
How long are the youth soccer matches in these US Youth Soccer records?
6 years of age and under (U6): 24 minutes (fixed). 8 years of age and under (U8): 48 minutes (fixed). 10 years of age and under (U10): 50 minutes (fixed). 11 years of age and under (U11), 12 years of age and under (U12): 60 minutes (fixed). 13 and 14 years of age and under (U13, U14): 70 minutes (fixed). 15 and 16 years of age and under (U15, U16): 80 minutes (fixed). 17, 18 and 19 years of age and under (U17, U18, U19): 90 minutes (fixed).