Small-sided soccer evolved from research showing that children develop at different levels in both physical and emotional matters. This evidence, coupled with the fact that most young players simply want to have fun playing soccer and do not worry as much about competition, has led US Youth Soccer to require all of its member state associations to adopt small-sided play for all games involving players Under 10.
No team Under 10 should be comprised of more than eight players per side; furthermore, US Youth Soccer strongly encourages state associations to adopt small-sided play of 4 v. 4 and 3 v. 3 for games involving Under 8 and Under 6 players, respectively.
Small-sided games include minimal strategic discussion, and maximum opportunity for players to touch the ball.
To follow are the official rules of small-sided play as outlined by US Youth Soccer:
3 v. 3: Under 6
Field: No more than 30 yards long, no less than 20 yards long; No more than 20 yards wide, no less than 15 yards wide. Optimal recommendation: 25 yards length by 20 yards width.
Markings: Distinctive lines not more than five (5) inches wide) to mark: a halfway line across the width of the field; a center circle with a three (3) yard radius, four (4) corner arcs each with a two (2) foot radius, NO goal area or penalty box.
Goals: The size of hockey goals or 4 x 6 feet.
The Ball: Size three (3).
Players: Maximum players per team on the field at a time: three. No goalkeeper. Two games may be played simultaneously. Teams may be coed.
Substitutions: In the case of injury or tiredness. Each player shall play a minimum of 50% of total playing time.
Equipment: Conform to FIFA laws: footwear may include tennis shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes.
Referee: Associate referee, parent/coach or assistant. All rule infractions should be briefly explained to the offending player.
Linesman: Use club linesmen.
Duration of game: Four (4) equal eight (8) minute quarters. Two (2) minute break between quarters one and two and another two (2) minute break between quarters three and four. Halftime break of five (5) minutes.
Start of Play: Conform to FIFA with following exceptions: Opponent must be three (3) yards from center mark while kick-off is in progress.
No offsides. No cautions or ejections issued except by an independent referee.
Free Kicks: All kicks are INDIRECT and opponents must be three (3) yards away before kick is allowed. No penalty kicks.
Kick-in/throw-in: Kick-in is considered as an indirect free kick with the opponent three (3) yards away from the ball. On a throw-in, a second throw-in must be allowed if the player commits a foul on the first attempt.
Goal Kicks: Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: Opponents must be three (3) yards away from the ball.
Corner Kicks: NO corner kicks. Throw-in/kick-in will be taken in place of a corner kick.
4 v. 4: Under 8
Field: No more than 50 yards long, no less than 40 yards long; No more than 30 yards wide, no less than 20 yards wide. Optimal recommendation: 50 yards length by 30 yards width.
Markings: Distinctive lines not more than five (5) inches wide) to mark: a halfway line across the width of the field; a center circle with a five (5) yard radius, four (4) corner arcs each with a two (2) foot radius, a goal area three (3) yards from each goal post and three (3) yards into the field of play joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line.
Goals: The size of hockey goals and up to 6 x 12 feet.
The Ball: Size three (3).
Players: Maximum players per team on the field at a time: four. No goalkeeper. Two games may be played simultaneously. Teams may be coed.
Substitutions: In the case of injury or tiredness. Each player shall play a minimum of 50% of total playing time.
Equipment: Conform to FIFA laws: footwear may include tennis shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes.
Referee: Registered or associate referee, parent/coach or assistant. All rule infractions should be briefly explained to the offending player.
Linesman: Use club linesmen.
Duration of game: Four (4) equal twelve (12) minute quarters. Two (2) minute break between quarters one and two and another two (2) minute break between quarters three and four. Halftime break of five (5) minutes.
Start of Play: Conform to FIFA with following exceptions: Opponent must be five (5) yards from center mark while kick-off is in progress.
No offsides. No cautions or ejections issued except by an independent referee.
Free Kicks: All kicks are INDIRECT and opponents must be five (5) yards away before kick is allowed. No kicks shall be taken by attacking team within the defending team’s goal box. All fouls shall result in an indirect free kick with opponent five (5) yards away. No penalty kicks.
Kick-in/throw-in: Kick-in is considered as an indirect free kick with the opponent five (5) yards away from the ball. On a throw-in, a second throw-in must be allowed if the player commits a foul on the first attempt.
Goal Kicks: Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: Goal kick may be taken anywhere within the goal box. Opponents must be five (5) yards away from the ball.
Corner Kicks: Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: Opponents must be five (5) yards away from the ball.
8 v. 8: Under 10
Field: No more than 80 yards long, no less than 70 yards long; No more than 50 yards wide, no less than 40 yards wide. Optimal recommendation: 70 yards length by 50 yards width.
Markings: Distinctive lines not more than five (5) inches wide) to mark: a halfway line across the width of the field; a center circle with an eight (8) yard radius, four (4) corner arcs each with a two (2) foot radius, a goal area six (6) yards from each goal post and six (6) yards into the field of play joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line.
Goals: Seven feet high and twenty-one (21) feet wide.
The Ball: Size four (4).
Players: Maximum players per team on the field at a time: eight, including goalkeeper. Maximum number of players on a roster should not exceed fourteen (14).
Substitutions: Prior to a throw-in in your favor; prior to a goal kick by either team; after a goal by either team, after an injury by either team, when referee stops play; at half-time.
Playing Time: Each player should play a minimum of 50% of the total playing time.
Equipment: Conform to FIFA laws: footwear may include tennis shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes.
Referee: Registered/new referee program, parent/coach or assistant. All rule infractions should be briefly explained to the offending player.
Linesman: Use club linesmen.
Duration of game: Two (2) equal halves of twenty-five minutes each. Halftime break of five (5) minutes.
Start of Play: Conform to FIFA with following exceptions: Opponent must be eight (8) yards from center mark while kick-off is in progress.
Offsides: Conform to FIFA.
No cautions or ejections issued except by an independent referee.
Free Kicks: Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: Opponents must be eight (8) yards from the ball.
Penalty Kicks: Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: Opponents must be eight (8) yards from the ball.
Throw-Ins/Goal Kicks: Conform to FIFA.
Corner Kicks: Conform to FIFA with the following exceptions: Opponents must be eight (8) yards away from the ball.
