The San Mateo AYSO Board has spent several months reviewing the National AYSO Guidelines for U6 & U8 divisional play. After much discussion, the Board is pleased to announce the following changes to the U6 & U8 divisions for 2010.

The goal of these changes is to have our programs, specifically those that serve our youngest participants, be better aligned with the newest AYSO philosophy of Player Development. The new U6 & U8 programs will offer an improved player and volunteer experience by emphasizing fewer players on the team as well as on the field. This will improve player interaction and development for both players and coaches as players will get more touches on the ball and more teaching time with their coaches. These changes will have a renewed focus on teaching basic soccer skills and introducing the basic rules of the game.

The San Mateo AYSO Board believes, along with National AYSO, that a simplified, short-sided game is the best way to introduce the game of soccer to 4½ - 7 year olds and to prepare them for a more competitive soccer experience.

The following is a summary of the changes approved by the San Mateo AYSO Board for the U6 & U8 programs that will take effect in the 2010 Fall Season:

Under 6 Division Play

• Field: Smaller field size (30 x 15 yards) with simplified field markings and age appropriate goals.
• Game Play: Short-sided games (4 versus 4) with no goalkeepers.
• Playing Time: All players will play at least half the game.
• Length of Game: 30-minute games with two 15-minute halves.
• Team: Teams will have a maximum of 8 players.

Under 8 Division Play

• Field: Smaller field size (50 x 25 yards) with simplified field markings and age appropriate goals.
• Game Play: Short-sided games (6 versus 6) with no goalkeepers.
• Playing Time: All players will play at least half the game.
• Length of Game: 40-minute games with two 20-minute halves.
• Team: Teams will have a maximum of 12 players.