Soccer Breakdown
HOW IT ALL WORKS
The world of competitive soccer can be confusing. This page helps break everything down so it is easer to understand.
Division Placement
U.S. youth soccer age groups are organized by birth year starting in January to December. To find out what division your child is in, first find the year they were born in the column on the left and then follow it over to see the division placement for the season you are interested in playing in.
“U” stands for “UNDER” so if your child is in U8 then that means they will be playing in a division with 7 & 8-year-olds.
| Birth Year |
Season 2022-23 |
Season 2023-24 |
Season 2024-25 |
Season 2025-26 |
| 2021 | U5 | |||
| 2020 | U5 | U6 | ||
| 2019 | U5 | U6 | U7 | |
| 2018 | U5 | U6 | U7 | U8 |
| 2017 | U6 | U7 | U8 | U9 |
| 2016 | U7 | U8 | U9 | U10 |
| 2015 | U8 | U9 | U10 | U11 |
| 2014 | U9 | U10 | U11 | U12 |
| 2013 | U10 | U11 | U12 | U13 |
| 2012 | U11 | U12 | U13 | U14 |
| 2011 | U12 | U13 | U14 | U15 |
| 2010 | U13 | U14 | U15 | U16 |
| 2009 | U14 | U15 | U16 | U17 |
| 2008 | U15 | U16 | U17 | U18 |
| 2007 | U16 | U17 | U18 | U19 |
| 2006 | U17 | U18 | U19 | |
| 2005 | U18 | U19 | ||
| 2004 | U19 |
Field Dimensions & Rules
As kids get older, the game play adapts by adding more players and positions to the game, increasing the ball size, increasing the field size, and adjusting the rules of the game.
| Division | U6/U7/U8 | U9 & U10 | U11 & U12 | U13/U14/U15 | U16 & Older |
| Player Count |
4v4, No Goalkeepers |
7v7 | 9v9 | 11v11 | 11v11 |
| Maximum Rostered Players |
– |
12 | 15 | 18 | 18 |
| Ball Size |
3 |
4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| *Referee Structure |
Specific to the recreation program |
1 Center 2 CCL |
Full 3 Ref Crew |
Full 3 Ref Crew |
Full 3 Ref Crew |
| Playing Time |
4 – 10 Min Quarters 5 Min Breaks |
2 – 25 Min Haves 5 Min Halftimes No Stoppage Time |
2 – 30 Min Haves 5 Min Halftimes No Stoppage Time |
U13/U14 35 Min Haves U15 40 Min Haves 10 Min Halftimes Stoppage Time |
U16 40 Min Haves U17+ 45 Min Haves 15 Min Halftimes Stoppage Time |
| Field Length |
25-35 |
55-65 |
70-80 |
95-120 |
100-120 |
| Field Width |
15-25 |
35-45 |
45-55 |
60-75 |
60-75 |
| Goal Size |
4×6 |
6.5 x 18 Recommended |
7.5 x 21 Recommended |
8 x 24 |
8 x 24 |
| Goal Area |
– |
8 yds wide & 4 yds into the field of play |
12 yds wide & 5 yds into the field of play |
6 yds from each post & 6 yds into the field of play |
6 yds from each post & 6 yds into the field of play |
| *Heading |
Not Allowed |
Not Allowed |
Not Allowed |
Allowed |
Allowed |
| *Build Out Line |
– |
A line is painted on each side halfway between the penalty box and the midfield |
– |
– |
– |
| Offsides |
None |
Only after the building outline |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Referee Structure: A CCL is usually a parent volunteer and each team will provide one
Heading: If a player comes in contact with the ball with their head, an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team from the spot of the offense. If the offense occurs in the penalty box the free kick is awarded on the goal area line closest to the spot of the offense parallel to the goal.
Build Out Line: Upon a goal kick or goalkeeper save, opposing players must return and wait at the build-out line before the ball is played to help the defending team have more time to build out an offensive play.
Soccer Seasons
As a club, we train all year around but each season looks a little bit different:
- The Season Starts (End of May)
- Summer Season (June to Mid-August)
- Fall Season (Mid-August to End of October)
- Winter Season (November to March)
- Spring Season (Mid-March to End of May)
The club season commences subsequent to the tryout process, which is typically conducted towards the conclusion of May. By the first week of June, most clubs have established their teams; however, finalization through the Utah Youth Soccer Association is not mandatory until July 1st.
During the summer, teams engage in training sessions to prepare for the upcoming fall season. Typically, practices are held twice a week, although there are no scheduled games during this period.
Tournament play is highly favored during the summer season and usually spans a duration of 2-5 days.
At Atomic Athletics, we participate in one annual tournament, typically scheduled during the summer. This tournament is included in the club fees and provides an excellent opportunity for our team to showcase their skills and compete against other teams.
During the fall season, each team will be allocated a total of 8 scheduled games organized by the Utah Youth Soccer Association (UYSA).
For competition teams, an equitable distribution will be observed, with half of the games taking place at the club’s home field and the remaining half at the home field of the opposing club.
While most games are typically scheduled on Saturdays, it is important to note that occasional weekday fixtures may also arise.
Practice sessions for the club will continue to be held twice a week, providing consistent training opportunities for the players.
In the case of Academy Teams, all games will be centralized at a single location, ensuring convenience and a focused playing environment.
During the winter season, teams transition to indoor facilities where futsal and indoor soccer leagues enjoy significant popularity. Regular practice sessions are maintained twice a week, while games are organized through various local leagues as determined by the team’s coach.
The winter season comprises two distinct sessions:
SESSION 1: End of October – End of Dec
SESSION 2: Beginning of January – End of March
Furthermore, tournament play during the winter season experiences considerable enthusiasm and typically spans a duration of 2-5 days. The selection and participation in tournaments are determined at the discretion of each individual team.
During the spring season, each team will be allocated a total of 8 scheduled games organized by the Utah Youth Soccer Association (UYSA).
For competition teams, an equitable distribution will be observed, with half of the games taking place at the club’s home field and the remaining half at the home field of the opposing club.
While most games are typically scheduled on Saturdays, it is important to note that occasional weekday fixtures may also arise.
Practice sessions for the club will continue to be held twice a week, providing consistent training opportunities for the players.
In the case of Academy Teams, all games will be centralized at a single location, ensuring convenience and a focused playing environment.
Want to Join The Club?
Atomic Athletics is more than just a club, we are a community. We are always looking for ways to involve our supporters in an atomic way. Whether you’re interested in coaching, sponsoring the team, or simply getting involved in any other way, we want to hear from you. We believe that building strong relationships with our community is crucial to the success of our club. With your support, we can continue to provide our young athletes with the tools they need to succeed both on and off the field. So, if you’re looking to make a difference in the lives of young people and want to get involved with Atomic Athletics Soccer Club, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to hearing from you!