What is US Soccer's 'Game Format Project'?

As young players progress through the age groups, they will also progress through different game formats, to allow them to learn about the game in a structured, logical way at a pace appropriate to their age and stage of development.

The US Soccer Federation has defined these game formats as 4v4 for six- to eight-year-olds, 7v7 for nine- to 10-year-olds, 9v9 for 11- to 12-year-olds and 11v11 for those age 13 and beyond.

However, research undertaken in both the US and Europe has been used by US Soccer, prompting them to consider how they set up the game for the U5 and U6 age groups, in an attempt to "identify the best playing environments that take a player-centered approach to advance player development". 

The Game Format Project is a pilot scheme, created with the support of US Soccer’s Innovate to Grow Grant, trialling a new approach for these young age groups.

The project is being conducted by US Youth Soccer (USYS).

How will the games be played?

In the new game format, games will:

• Either be played 2v2 or 3v3
• Have either two goals or four goals (two at each end)
• Have larger goals (5ft by 3ft)
• Be restarted by a player dribbling or kicking the ball in, or by a coach passing a new ball to a player on the field – this is called ‘new ball’.

Why?

Research has shown that the 2v2 and 3v3 game formats allow players to have more touches on the ball than 4v4.

Therefore, these smaller formats support greater individual skill development and decision-making, increasing player enjoyment, with more touches on the ball and opportunities to score and, in turn, giving parents a more positive perception of their child’s experience with soccer.

More specifically:

• 2v2 and 3v3 allows a more appropriate level of challenge for players
• Four-goal games increase players’ opportunities to score and make more on-field decisions
• Larger goals will make scoring more likely, positively impacting players’ development
• New-ball restarts ensure a flow to the game, increasing player involvement and reducing downtime.

Where and when?

The panel on the right shows the 18 member clubs across the US who have been chosen to take part in the pilot project.

Each organisation has been provided with equipment, including new goals, to make playing the new formats possible. 

They will collect feedback from parents and coaches through online surveys to pass on to USYS, and have committed to implementing the game model for two seasons, consisting of a minimum of six weeks each season.

Future plans

Nearly 80 organizations from more than 30 US Youth Soccer State Associations submitted applications for the initial year of the project.

Clubs not selected are encouraged to apply again next spring. Over the next two years, USYS will support 45 more organizations to adopt the game models.