Smaller Soccer Balls for Youngsters

Posted by: Sports Balls in Rules, Soccer June 10, 2015 0 16,329 Views

The United States Youth Soccer Association has set the rules for ball size and weight, and follows FIFA rules for material and other regulations.

Rule 303:

Section 1. (a) Except as provided by US Youth Soccer and its State Associations, the length of games, overtime periods, ball size, ball circumference, and ball weight for each age group is as follows:

Age Group	Game Length	Overtime Periods	Size	Circumference	Weight
Under-19	Two 45′ halves	Two 15′ halves	#5	27-28 in.	14-16 ozs.
Under-18	Two 45′ halves	Two 15′ halves	#5	27-28 in.	14-16 ozs.
Under-17	Two 45′ halves	Two 15′ halves	#5	27-28 in.	14-16 ozs.
Under-16	Two 40′ halves	Two 15′ halves	#5	27-28 in.	14-16 ozs.
Under-15	Two 40′ halves	Two 15′ halves	#5	27-28 in.	14-16 ozs.
Under-14	Two 35′ halves	Two 10′ halves	#5	27-28 in.	14-16 ozs.
Under-13	Two 35′ halves	Two 10′ halves	#5	27-28 in.	14-16 ozs.
Under-12	Two 30′ halves	Two 10′ halves	#4	25-26 in.	11-13 ozs.
Under-11	Two 30′ halves	Two 10′ halves	#4	25-26 in.	11-13 ozs.
Under-10	Two 25′ halves	NONE	#4	25-26 in.	11-13 ozs.
Under-8	4 -12′ quarters	NONE	#3	23-24 in.	11-12 ozs.
Under-6	4 – 6′ quarters	NONE	#3	23-24 in.	11-12 ozs.

(b) In tournament play, if the game is still tied after overtime periods, FIFA “Kicks from the Penalty Mark” rules apply to determine the winner.

Section 2. (a) Except as provided by US Youth Soccer and its State Associations, the length of games, ball size, ball circumference, and ball weight for each age group shall be as follows:

Age Group	Game Length	Size	Circumference	Weight
Under-10	As Modified Rules specify	#4	25-26 in.	11–13 ozs.
Under-8	As Modified Rules specify	#3	23-24 in.	11–13 ozs.
Under-6	As Modified Rules specify	#3	23-24 in.	11–13 ozs.