US Mens soccer recently kicked off the start of their 2018 World Cup qualifying with a convincing 6-1 victory against St. Vincent/Grenadines. The United States hope all roads lead to Russia for the World Cup in 2018 as they continue their qualifying campaign, but in the meantime US Soccer is setting new standards back home by implementing initiatives for coaches to improve youth development. 

The aim is to create an age appropriate environment fun & learn, changes develop players with more individual skill, creativity and confidence. 

The increased popularity of soccer in the United States was on display at the last World Cup, but coaches now hope to provide the right tools for young players to succeed and develop to the best of their abilities. 

The concept behind the new initiative is designed to put less emphasis on wins/losses and more time on individual skills and enjoyment of the game. It’s a long term plan to develop players with encouragement and create a building block approach to more skilled players. 

We’ve outlined the proposed standards with the chart below. 

  U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13
Maximum Field Size (Yards) 30×20 30×20 30×20 47×30 47×30 75X47 75X47 112X75
Number of Players 4×4 4×4 4×4 7×7 7×7 9×9 9×9 11×11
GK No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Playing Times (Minutes) 4×8 4×8 3×15 2×25 2×25 2×30 2×30 2×35
Break Times (Minutes) 5 5 5 10 10 10 10 15
Ball Size 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5
Goal Size (Feet) 4×6 4×6 4×6 6.5×18.5 6.5×18.5 6.5×18.5 6.5×18.5 8×24
Offside No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
                Yes

Kwik Goal, the official partner of US Men’s and Women’s Soccer continue to manufacture products that also promote development of young players and help coaches meet the new standards introduced by US Soccer. With new products like the Kwik Goal Pro Premier Portable Competition Goal and Kwik Goal Hi-Vis Pop-up Goal; Kwik Goal is doing their part by providing products that are not only meeting all the standards, but also introducing fun new ways for young athletes to participate in the game of soccer. 

Unique Sports is proud to supply Kwik Goal products and continue to help players compete at all levels of the game with a commitment to player development.

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