US Soccer Federation Player Development Initiatives

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1 US Soccer Federation Player Development Initiatives U.S. Soccer has announced a long term approach to player development titled the Player Development Initiatives (PDI). These initiatives will create consistency across the country regarding age groupings, game sizes and field and goal dimensions. The design of the PDI is to provide opportunities for all players of all ages and all abilities to play in the most developmentally advantageous environments. Additionally, U.S. Soccer has placed an increased emphasis on player growth and development and a decreased emphasis on match results. I am hopeful the information below will help to answer questions about the Player Development Initiatives, their impact on Trebol Soccer Club, and how we are planning to successfully implement these changes in our club. I have included a number of links to additional PDI resources and would also invite you to spend some time on our website and review the USSF guidelines on these matters. U.S. Soccer Player Development Initiatives Presentation. As additional information becomes available, we will update our website and communicate through a number of channels including , coaches and team managers and on our social media outlets. Additionally, we will be hosting three Town Hall style meetings to provide a forum to help answer questions about the Player Development Initiatives, the Development Academy and other club programming. At each meeting, we will provide a brief presentation, but plan to reserve the majority of time to dialogue with attendees. The meetings are open to the public and we encourage you to come with your questions and to invite others in the soccer community to join in as well. Town Hall Meeting Dates: Open To All Trebol Members Birth Years: March 7th pm March 8th pm March 9th pm March 10th pm Location: Trebol Soccer Office: Suite M, 1021 E South Boulder Road, Louisville CO Space in the office is limited so please only attend your child s birth year meeting.

2 Frequently Asked Questions What is the rationale behind the PDI? Across the country, youth soccer is filled with inconsistencies regarding field sizes, age groupings, and other developmental considerations. One goal of these initiatives is to normalize the playing setting for all youth soccer organizations. The initiatives put the focus on the development of the team as a byproduct of individual player development. Ultimately, we want all players to develop more individual skill, intelligence, creativity and confidence in the game. Are the PDI aligned with the U.S. Soccer Development Academy? These initiatives align all youth soccer programming across the country with the Development Academy program. The Development Academy is the model used by U.S. Soccer as the gold standard for player development. The initiatives are designed to support players of all ages and all abilities utilizing the Developmental Academy framework. When will the PDI be implemented? U.S. Soccer recommends putting these initiatives into place as a best practice for the Season (beginning in August of 2016). U.S. Youth Soccer directly governs the Colorado Soccer Association and has announced their commitment to adopting both the Birth Year (Age Group) and Small Sided Games Initiatives for the season (beginning August 2016). Trebol Soccer Club is prepared to follow the lead of our governing bodies and will adopt these initiatives for the Season. What are the specifics of the Small Sided Games (SSG) Initiative? As long time advocates for SSG through older age groups, Trebol Soccer Club is fully in support of the SSG Initiative outlined by U.S. Soccer. U9 U10 Recreational Program Games played 7v7 (six field players and one goalkeeper) Game length: 2 halves x 25 minutes Ball Size: 4 Goal Size: 6½ x 18½ (or approximate) Field Size: 45x35 yards (minimum); 60x45 yards (maximum) Offside rule will be in effect Defensive Line of Retention Heading of the ball will not be allowed. Drop ball will be awarded.

3 U11 U12 Recreational and Competitive Programs Games played 9v9 (eight field players and one goalkeeper) Game length: 2 halves x 30 minutes Ball Size: 4 Goal Size: 6½ x 18½ (minimum); 7 x 21 (maximum) Field Size: 70x40 yards (minimum); 80x55 yards (maximum) Offside rule will be in effect Heading of the ball only allowed in games. Note: The dimensions of the goals and fields are recommended guidelines provided by U.S. Soccer. Some facilities may not be able to accommodate the recommended dimensions initially. CSA members have been asked to do their best to adhere to the guidelines provided, acknowledging that it may take some clubs added time to fully comply. Are birth year age groups beginning for all levels of play in ? Beginning in late May at the Competitive Player Placement Events, Trebol will be creating U9 U10 Youth Academy teams and U11 U19 Competitive teams based on the birth year initiative. Trebol Soccer Club recreational teams at all ages will also be created following the birth year basis. What is the best way to simplify the new age group / birth year initiative? Simply put, teams will become known by the registered birth year of the players e.g., 2004 Boys or more simply, 04 Boys. It will take some time to transition to the new way of naming age groups, but we recommend that both players and parents begin to mirror the terminology provided by U.S. Soccer regarding birth year age groups. How is Trebol supporting players this spring in preparation for the transition to new age groups? We have set aside four (4) days of age group specific transitional camp for players in the birth years. These training events are free and open to all players. Dates: April 24th, May 1st, May 8th May 15th Birth Years: am pm pm Location TBA

4 Will players still be allowed to play with their friends and classmates? We will approach competitive player placements as we always have with a commitment to placing each player on the team that is most appropriate for his or her ongoing development in the game. Playing on a team with friends and classmates may not always be the best developmental placement for the player similar to not having all of your friends in the same classes at school. We want each player to experience the balance between success and challenge and our responsibility to each player is to find the best fit for him or her. Can players play up with older teams? Can players play down with younger teams? When developmentally appropriate, we will certainly support players in the competitive program playing on teams in older groups. Playing up can allow players to compete in a more challenging environment, which can aid in their future development. Beyond physical attributes, our staff will consider a player s technical ability and tactical understanding of the game in addition to the player s maturity levels (physical, emotional and social) when recommending a player to play with an older age group. U.S. Youth Soccer and CSA rules do not allow players to play down in either the competitive or recreational programs. Will a player miss any time playing soccer due to the change to birth year registration? The Player Development Initiatives do not create a situation where a player would have a shortened youth soccer career. Will the PDI change the CSA Competitive League Structure? CSA has proposed a number of changes to competitive league structures designed to provide appropriate levels of play for all players and to de emphasize the importance of match results across many league levels. Competitive A League Birth Years Premier 1 and Premier teams divided into 10 team ranked divisions Teams will be required to apply for placement Promotion / Relegation between leagues Year long season 8/9 games per season 3 assigned referees per match

5 Competitive B League Birth Years Multiple levels of play, Platinum,Elite, Gold,Silver, Bronze Teams placed in divisions based on club recommendation Separate Fall and Spring seasons 8 games per season Movement between levels between season allowed. Promotion between levels is required if you win league No promotion to Competitive A League between fall / spring season Each team to provide one (1) Grade 8 certified referee. Birth Year 2002 Primary season fall for girls and spring for boys Secondary season spring for girls and fall for boys Competitive A and B league structure will be same as above during primary season Competitive A League Birth Years Premier 1 Premier teams divided into 10 team ranked divisions Teams will be required to apply for placement Promotion / Relegation between leagues 9 games per season 3 assigned referees per match Combined age groups will compete in same age groups, and Competitive B League Birth Years Multiple levels of play, Platinum,Elite, Gold,Silver, Bronze Combined age groups will compete in same age groups, and Teams placed in divisions based on club recommendation Separate Fall and Spring seasons 8 games per season Movement between levels between season allowed. Promotion between levels is required if you win league Each team to provide one (1) Grade 8 certified referee.

6 Front Range League Birth Years ( Recreational League) Birth Year Teams will play at Premier, Intermediate or Recreational levels No heading of the ball. Violations will re start with a drop ball GK not allowed to punt. Must distribute with hands or from the ground Restricted line of defending Birth Years Teams will play at Premier, Intermediate or Recreational levels No heading in practice Birth Years Games will be played in 9v9 format Birth Years v11 in CSA Recreational League 7v7 in CSA Metro League What can I do to support the Player Development Initiatives? Collectively, we encourage everyone to be informed, to read through the links provided on our website and attend our upcoming Town Hall Meetings. We also ask for patience as these changes are implemented, and trust that these and future initiatives will enhance our abilities to develop each individual player