PDI's

Player Development Initiatives

US Soccer Player Development Initiative
AYSO Implementation

In order to attract, develop and retain players and to align with international standards for youth development, U.S Soccer has mandated specific standards for all members of U.S. Soccer which are known as Player Development Initiatives (PDI). As a member of U.S. Soccer, AYSO has implemented PDI as outlined below.

Birth Year Registration:

	6U	8U	10U	12U
2024-25 Season	Born in 2019	Born in 2017-2018	Born in 2015-2016	Born in 2013-2014
2025-26 Season	Born in 2020	Born in 2018-2019	Born in 2016-2017	Born in 2014-2015
2026-27 Season	Born in 2021	Born in 2019-2020	Born in 2017-2018	Born in 2015-2016
2027-28 Season	Born in 2022	Born in 2020-2021	Born in 2018-2019	Born in 2016-2017
2028-29 Season	Born in 2023	Born in 2021-2022	Born in 2019-2020	Born on 2017-2018

Small Sided Games:

	6U	8U	10U	12U
Field Size Ranges (in yards)	Length: 25-35 Width: 15-25	Length: 25-35 Width: 15-25	Length: 55-65 Width: 35-45	Length: 70-80 Width: 45-55
Maximum Goal Size (in feet)	Height: 4 Width: 6	Height: 4 Width: 6	Height: 4 Width: 6	Height: 4 Width: 6
Ball Size	3	3	4	4
Players	4v4 No Goalkeeper	4v4 No Goalkeeper	7v7 Goalkeeper	9v9 Goalkeeper
Game Time	20 Minute Halves	20 Minute Halves	25 Minute Halves	30 Minute Halves
Offside	No	No	Yes	Yes

Goalkeeper Punting Information (9U and 10U)

In 9U and 10U, the goalkeeper may not deliberately punt or drop kick the ball from their possession.
The goalkeeper may throw the ball, roll the ball or place the ball on the ground so it can be kicked by themselves or a teammate (no punting or drop kicks).
If the goalkeeper deliberately punts or drop kicks the ball, the referee awards an indirect free kick (IFK) to the opposing team where the infraction occurred.
An IFK awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team's goal area, must be taken on the goal area line at the point nearest to where the infraction occurred.

Build-Out Line Information

The Build-out line only impacts the game in THREE situations:

When the Goalkeeper has possession of the ball.
For goal kicks.
For determining a player's offside position.

The Build-out Line does NOT impact play for free kicks.

Goalkeeper Possession

Opponents MUST retreat back behind the BOL.
The goalkeeper may play the ball to either side of the BOL.
Opponents may cross the BOL once the goalkeeper has released the ball.
If an opponent deliberately crosses back over the BOL before the ball is released by the goalkeeper and then gets involved with play, moves to gain possession of the ball or interferes with play, the referee may stop play and award the goalkeeper's team an indirect free kick (IFK) on the BOL where the player crossed over.

Goal Kick

Opponents MUST retreat back behind the BOL.
Opponents may cross the BOL once the ball is in play. The ball is in play once it is kicked and clearly moves.
The GK may be taken before all the opponents have retreated behind the BOL, but if the ball goes directly to an opponent - play continues.
If an opponent crosses back over the BOL before the ball is in play, the GK is re-taken.
The player taking the GK may kick the ball to either side of the BOL.

Offside

In 9U and 10U, a player can only be in an Offside position if he or she is closer to the opponent's goal line than the Build-out line.
A player between the Build-out line and halfway line cannot be in an offside position.

Build-Out Line Information Video

Goalkeeper Punts (9U and 10U)

Goalkeeper punt information per AYSO National Rules and Regulations.

For 9U and 10U, the goalkeeper shall not punt nor drop kick the ball.
An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the offense if a goalkeeper for 9U or 10U deliberately punts the ball during a match.
An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team's goal area must be taken on the goal area line at the point nearest to where the goalkeeper punted the ball.

Build-Out Line (9U and 10U)

Build-out line information per AYSO National Rules and Regulations.

The build‐out line shall be placed across the field equidistant between the top of the penalty area and the halfway line.
The opposing team must move behind the build-out line for a goal kick or when the goalkeeper has possession.
The goalkeeper or the player taking the goal kick or distributing the ball from the goal area, does not have to wait for the opposing players to move behind the build-out line to put the ball into play. When the ball is put into play from the goalkeeper or from the goal kick, it may be played on either side of the build-out line. After the ball is put into play, the opposing team may cross the build-out line and play may resume as normal. The ball is in play from a goal kick after the ball has been kicked and clearly moves.
The build-out line shall be used as the line to determine offside. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build-out line.

Heading (12U and Below)

Heading is banned for all division players 12U and below.
If a player deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a game, the referee awards an indirect free kick (IFK) to the opposing team where the infraction occurred.
An IFK awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team's goal area, must be taken on the goal area line at the point nearest to where the infraction occurred.

For additional Heading and Concussion Awareness information, please visit our HEADING SAFETY page.