PLAYER RESOURCES
Soccer age groupings
Soccer age groupings for Fall 2026 will be based on a Sept 1 cutoff date, better aligning soccer age groups with a player’s grade in school. This decision marks a reversal of the 2016 policy that changed US Youth Soccer to a Jan 1 cutoff, grouping players by birth year. While the birth year system has offered administrative convenience, leaders have long advocated for a change back to school year to reflect the social fabric of American youth.
Birth Year Matrix (currently)
Path forward on Player Registration
How this could impact your player
US SOCCER CURRICULUM
The curriculum is designed to improve development of players in the organized player base in the United States, concentrating on creating more organized, age-appropriate training sessions, developing coaching practices and creating an environment that is fun for the players.
Downloads (Note large file sizes)
US Youth Soccer Player Development
Build Out Line Explained for 9U and 10U
Player Development:
Training is what you do with your team. Practice is what you do on your own. The players that truly make strides are the ones that practice.
Dribbling Skill Development:
Foundation
Ball Taps
Roll Between Feet
180 Pull
180 Chop Inside
180 Chop Outside
Alternating Outside-Inside
Pull Behind
Pull V
Stop and Go Hesitation
High Wave Hesitation
180 Step and Chop
Inside x 3 – Outside
Roll – Scissor
Lunge
Step Over
Roll Chop
Wiggle
Scissor
Roll – Slap
Roll – Step Over
T Combo (pull open to pull behind)
Cruyff
Double Touch Hesitation
Inside – Outside (one step)
Double Step Over
Maradona
Outside – Inside Hesitation
Player Tutorial Videos
Long Training - One player / one ball (Start the video at the 6:40 mark. Necessary equipment (2 cones and a ball) The session progresses, 2 sets of everything. Warmup, speed and agility, tons of ball skills.
Chase Youth Enrichment Fund
The Chase Youth Enrichment Fund provides financial assistance to youth from low-income families wishing to participate in enriching experiences like camp, sports, and after-school activities. Enrichment fund dollars are critical in ensuring that enrichment opportunities are accessible to underserved youth, and therefore critical in keeping at-risk youth safe and engaged after school and during the summer months.