August 28, 2023

Dear Club/League Representatives:

U.S. Soccer Game Format U5-U6 Project:

U.S. Soccer’s Technical (Coaching) Department plans to consider player development initiatives (PDIs) for players entering our sport at the very youngest age groups. At some point soon, U.S. Soccer plans to delineate recommendations for the U5-U6 age groups to ‘promote a sense of belonging, stimulate fun, inspire creative decision making and advance player development’. Currently, U5-U6 players are generally playing the same format as U7-U8 players, which may not be an ideal environment for player development. For your planning purposes, US Soccer plans to promote/launch these initiatives in Fall 2024. MSYSA will communicate the U5-U6 PDIs when they are available.

U13 Ball Size Recommendations:

In addition, U.S. Soccer is recommending a ball size update for the U13 age group. Currently, U13 utilizes a size 5 ball for play, as described in MSYSA Rule 4.4.

US Soccer cites internal research, literature review, international benchmarking, etc. as rationale for recommending a transition from a size 5 to a size 4 or lighter size 5 ball. US Soccer believes this will assist players during their transition to U13, as well as provide alignment with FIFA guidelines on age-appropriate ball specifications.

As the fall soccer season (and fall soccer tournaments) are already underway in Michigan, the transition to a size 4 or lighter size 5 ball for the U13 age group will not take place at this time. MSYSA will promptly notify our affiliated clubs and leagues if/when MSYSA transitions to a size 4 or lighter size 5 ball for U13. For U13 teams traveling out of state for games and/or tournaments, the use of size 4 or lighter size 5 ball for game play may already be in place.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email the MSYSA State Office at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Thomas Faro

Executive Director