U.S. Soccer to Implement Changes to Youth Soccer Format
Date: 2/17/2016
Important information regarding arsenal colorado format for 2016/2017 recreational, pdl, competitive, and development academy teams
Date: 2/16/2016
U.S. Soccer has approved and will be mandating nationwide changes to youth soccer that are aimed at enhancing player development. This will be accomplished through small-sided games and aligning U.S. Soccer with the rest of the world regarding team formation based on birth year. The Colorado Soccer Association (CSA) has determined that these changes will be put into practice state-wide beginning in the fall of 2016. Arsenal Colorado will embrace these changes and has determined strategies for implementation within the recreational, PDL, and competitive programs. Our team formation approach at each level is based on what is best for continued player development and enjoyment. In the coming months, members will be provided with more information about the structure, charting a sensible implementation plan.
Some of the changes will be challenging for Arsenal Colorado, its membership and youth soccer as a whole. However, our intention is to continue providing an excellent experience for our members while maintaining our club values. While we intend to employ a sensible implementation plan, we understand that you as members may have questions or concerns. We encourage you to read emails and the website thoroughly as important new information is conveyed throughout the spring season. Inevitably some of the information may be difficult to understand and we welcome questions to our club administrators and/or staff coaches. Our goal is to paint the clearest picture possible of the new youth soccer landscape so that members can make informed decisions and continue on a positive and fun development path.
It is important to understand that recreational age groups will be different than competitive age groups. We want recreational players to have the ability to play with kids in their school grade. However, competitive teams (including PDL) will have to follow state and national mandates and play with kids who were born in the same year.
ARSENAL COLORADO RECREATIONAL LEAGUE FALL 2016 / SPRING 2017 FORMAT
Teams will be divided much the same way as they have been in the past, allowing for players to enjoy the game with others in their grade. Age groups will now be labeled by grade. Players will be allowed to play up one age group in order to align with future PDL or competitive placement or and other reasons with staff permission.
|
Age Group |
Formerly Named |
# of Players |
Typical Roster Size |
Game Length |
Ball Size |
|
Arsenal Colorado |
U4 |
3v3 |
5-6 |
4x6 min |
3 |
|
Pre K |
U5 |
3v3 |
5-6 |
4x8 min |
3 |
|
Kindergarten |
U6 |
4v4 |
6-7 |
4x10min |
3 |
|
1st grade |
U7 |
4v4 |
6-7 |
4x10 min |
3 |
|
2nd grade |
U8 |
7v7 |
10-11 |
2x25 min |
4 |
|
3rd grade |
U9 |
7v7 |
10-11 |
2x25 min |
4 |
|
4th grade |
U10 |
7v7 |
10-11 |
2x25 min |
4 |
|
5th / 6th grade |
U12 |
9v9 |
12-13 |
2x30 min |
4 |
|
7th / 8th grade |
U14 |
11v11 |
15-17 |
2x35 min |
5 |
|
High School |
U18 |
11v11 |
15-17 |
2x40 min |
5 |
ARSENAL COLORADO PDL HOME AND TRAVEL LEAGUE FALL 2016 / SPRING 2017 FORMAT
Teams will be formed based on birth year. Typically this means U9 teams will be composed of older 2nd graders and younger 3rd graders. U10 teams will typically be older 3rd graders and younger 4th graders.
|
Age Group |
Birth Year |
# of Players |
Typical Roster Size |
Game Length |
Ball Size |
|
U9 Travel |
2008 |
7v7 |
10-11 |
2x25 min |
4 |
|
U9 Home |
2008 |
7v7 |
10-11 |
2x25 min |
4 |
|
U10 Travel |
2007 |
7v7 |
10-11 |
2x25 min |
4 |
|
U10 Home |
2007 |
7v7 |
10-11 |
2x25 min |
4 |
ARSENAL COLORADO COMPETITIVE LEAGUE FALL 2016 / SPRING 2017 FORMAT
Teams will be formed based on birth year with minor exceptions in the oldest age groups. Birth year teams typically will be composed of younger players in one grade and older players in the grade below. For example, a U11 team will consist of older 4th graders and younger 5th graders. As a general rule players will be expected to play with their birth year age group. In rare cases players may be given permission to play up if staff determines that is what is best for the player and team, or in the event of combination teams. The oldest birth year teams (i.e. ’98, ’99, and ’00) will be formed based on player history, tryouts and assignments by staff coaches. These age groups will be grandfathered out of the program in this manner. All competitive ’01 through ’06 teams will be formed by birth year.
|
Age Group |
Birth Year |
# of Players |
Typical Roster Size |
Game Length |
Ball Size |
|
U11 |
2006 |
9v9 |
12-13 |
2x30 min |
4 |
|
U12 |
2005 |
9v9 |
12-13 |
2x30 min |
4 |
|
U13 |
2004 |
11v11 |
15-17 |
2x35 min |
5 |
|
U14 |
2003 |
11v11 |
15-17 |
2x35 min |
5 |
|
U15 |
2002 * |
11v11 |
15-17 |
2x40 min |
5 |
|
U16 |
2001 |
11v11 |
15-17 |
2x40 min |
5 |
|
U17 |
2000 |
11v11 |
15-17 |
2x45 min |
5 |
|
U18 |
1999 / 2000 ** |
11v11 |
15-17 |
2x45 min |
5 |
|
U19 |
1998 / 1999 |
11v11 |
15-17 |
2x45 min |
5 |
* Please note that the 2002 team will be a combination of 8th and 9th graders. This age group will have a primary season and a secondary season and 9th graders who are ’02s will have the choice of playing with Arsenal year round. Some teams may be combined during the secondary season at this age group to make viable teams.
** Current U16 players born in ’00 may have the option of playing either on a birth year team or a traditionally formed team. This will be determined by the club staff during team formation.
ARSENAL COLORADO BOYS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY FALL 2016 / SPRING 2017 FORMAT
Teams will be formed based on birth year. Typically this means a team will be composed of younger players in one grade and older players in the grade below. Arsenal Colorado has been approved by U.S. Soccer to host three teams for the upcoming year – 2004, 2003, 2002 boys. This program is reserved for elite boy players throughout Northern Colorado. These teams will not have an open tryout; instead players will receive invitations to be evaluated for the program. Players from Arsenal Colorado or another club who are interested in the program and have not received an invitation should contact Dave Shaffer, Development Academy Director. Development Academy teams and players will compete in a league separate from the CSA state league. An informational meeting for all interested members regarding Arsenal Colorado’s implementation of the Development Academy will be held on Thursday, March 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at the Hilton Fort Collins (425 W Prospect Rd.)
|
Age Group |
Formerly Named |
# of Players |
Typical Roster Size |
Game Length |
Ball Size |
|
2004 |
- |
9v9 (two teams) |
Pool of 24-26 |
2x30 min |
4 |
|
2003 |
- |
11v11 |
16-20 |
2x35 min |
5 |
|
2002 |
- |
11v11 |
16-20 |
2x35 min |
5 |
Click to view more about Arsenal Colorado’s acceptance into the Development Academy
Click to view more about the U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives
Click to view U.S. Soccer Updated Birth Year Chart
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
In order to assist with this transition for teams that will be based on birth year in the 2016-2017 season, the Arsenal Colorado coaching staff will organize birth year training to take place in the later parts of the spring season. These will be useful for players and coaches to get to know each other and become more comfortable in a new setting. More information about these sessions, as well as other aspects of program implementation, will be available as the spring season progresses. We encourage all soccer families to continue to follow our updates through email, our website and social media as well as to focus on making the spring season one of continued development and fun.