FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BIRTH YEAR REGISTRATION Aug 1, 2017 Beginning on Aug. 1, 2017, the way in which youth players in the United States register for youth soccer teams will be based on their year of birth. This new standard will help create clarity, improve understanding about developmental progress and enhance playing environments as a part of the U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives (PDI’s). Here are five things you should know about the new registration rules to age groups. What is birth year registration? Currently, youth players in the United States sign up for same-age group clubs and teams [...]

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW: HOW SMALL-SIDED STANDARDS WILL CHANGE YOUTH SOCCER Aug 1, 2017 Beginning August 1, 2017, new standards in youth soccer will be implemented across the country. These standards are known as Player Development Initiatives (PDIs). A key component to these PDIs is new standards of play for small-sided games. Here are five things you need to know about the new regulations for youth games. What are small-sided standards? Small-sided standards are youth games played with less than 11 players on each team. Playing with less players on the field means that players are constantly involved in play and [...]

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT U.S. SOCCER PLAYER DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES Aug 1, 2017 August 1, 2017 marks the official rollout of U.S. Soccer’s Player Development Initiatives (PDIs). Here are five things you should know about the newest standards in youth soccer. What are PDIs? The PDIs aim to create an environment for youth players to grow and develop their soccer abilities. The most notable PDI includes small-sided game standards. Small-sided standards are regulations for youth games played with less than eleven players on each team that include field and ball size, game length and special rules. Fewer players on the field [...]