General Game Information
| Under 8 | Under 10 | Under 12 | Under 14 | Under 16 | |
| Players | 4 v. 4 No Keeper | 7 v. 7 including keeper | 9 v. 9 including keeper | 11 v. 11 including keeper | 11 v. 11 including keeper |
| Max Roster | 6 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 18 |
| Ball Size | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Field Size | 20-30 yards wide by 25-35 yards long |
35-45 yards wide by 45-60 yards long | 45-55 yards wide by 70-80 yards long | 50-100 yards wide x 100-130 yards long | 50-100 yards wide x 100-130 yards long |
| Duration | (4) – 8 minute quarters | (2) – 25 minute halves | (2) – 30 minute halves | (2) – 35 minute halves | (2) – 40 minute halves |
“I don’t believe skill was, or ever will be, the result of coaches. It is a result of a love affair between the child and the ball”
– Manfred Schellscheidt
Iowa Soccer Association Coaches Code of Conduct
Responsibilities to Players:
- Coaches must never place the value of winning over the safety and welfare of players.
- Coaches shall instruct players to play within the written laws and within the spirit of the game at all times.
- Coaches shall not seek unfair advantage by teaching deliberate unsportsmanlike behavior to players.
- Coaches should not tolerate inappropriate behavior for players regardless of the situation.
- Coaches should be a positive role model and set the standard for sportsmanship.
Responsibilities to Officials:
- Officials must have the support of coaches, players and spectators. Criticism of officials undermines their purpose in the game.
- Officials should be treated with respect before, during, and after the game. Officials should be addressed as “Referee” and not by name. Professional respect should be mutual and there should be no demeaning dialogue or gesture between official, coach, or player.
Responsibilities to Public Relations:
- Coaches have a responsibility to promote the game of soccer to the public. Comments and critiques of governing bodies, teams, coaches, players, parents, or the media should be positive and constructive, never prejudicial or inflammatory.
- Coaches have the responsibility to assist their players in conducting themselves properly while representing their team, league, and ISA in public.
- Comments blaming officials, organizers, players, etc. for a loss or unsuccessful endeavor are detrimental and should be avoided.
Other Responsibilities:
- Coaches’ behavior must bring credit to their organization, and the sport of soccer.
- Coaches shall exhibit a respectful attitude towards players, officials, spectators, opposing players and coaches. Verbal abuse or physical assault is unethical and shall be punishable by fines and/or suspension from the program.
- Coaches should use their influence to control the behavior of his players, parents and spectators.
Helpful Coaching Information
NASA Coaches Manual (Updated July 2022)
NASA By Laws (Updated January 2019)
U6-U8 Coaching Manual(Great for beginner coaches)
U10-U12 Coaching Manual(Great for beginner coaches)
US Soccer Best Practices (VERY HELPFUL)
General Coaching Hints
U8 and U10 coaches should focus practices and games on creating a fun activity for kids that just happens to involve a soccer ball. Children at this age are still learning how to move their body so moving their body WITH a soccer ball may prove to be a challenge. Make it fun for the child to learn to move with the ball in different situations (i.e. with a team mate or with someone trying to take the ball away). Although they love to play, their ability to stay focused on any one thing is very limited. Keep your activities short and simple. Finally, even as they are steadily developing physical and mental abilities, they are still very young. Always treat children with care, patience and give plenty of encouragement. Soccer should be a game and the soccer ball a toy that the children enjoy playing with and want to continue playing with at home.