At its board meeting on Saturday, July 19, 2003, the American Youth Soccer Organization’s National Board of Directors voted to incorporate the National Coaching Commission’s recommendation for U-12 into the National Games.

Effective with the National Games in 2004 in Lancaster, California, the U-12 Division will be playing 9V9 with a maximum of 12 players on the roster. This applies only to the National Games.

The Board responded to a request by the hosting section, Section Ten, and agreed that our only nationally sponsored tournament and soccerfest should adhere to the coaching program guidelines. 9 v 9 in U-12 has been the recommendation of the National Coaching Commission for many years.

There are several opportunities before next July to establish this style of play if the regions who will be sending teams to the National Games want to offer the 9 v 9 playing experience to their teams – during this fall season, next spring season or in the many tournaments that will play 9V9 with 12 on the roster during the next tournament season prior to the National Games.

Larry Caplinger

National Director of Tournaments