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Things to Remember:

Practices: 

Practices are held twice per week on a separate day from game day. Duration of practice should not last longer than 75-minutes. The region does not schedule the practices nor reserve fields. The coach schedules the practices and the fields.

The Field: 

The field size for 10U games is 55-65 yards long, 35-45 yards wide.

The Ball: 

A size 4 ball is used for U-10 games.

The Players:

• Numbers: Seven per team on field; one of which is a goalkeeper. Ten maximum on roster.
• Substitutions: Between periods, at halftime and for injuries.
• Playing Time: Minimum of two periods per game and no player should play four periods until everyone has played three.
• Teams: Separate girls and boys teams should be promoted at all levels of play.

Player Equipment: 

Shoes and shinguards, covered by the socks are mandatory at all practice and game activities. Soccer cleats, tennis shoes, or similar type athletic shoes are recommended. The type and condition of cleated shoes must be inspected for safety before use.

Duration of Game:

Four 12.5-minute periods. Halftime break of 5 -10 minutes

Referee:

AYSO certified Regional Referees or higher are required for U-10 and older games. The referee should briefly explain any infringements to the player(s) and encourage proper play and sporting behavior. As with all games, every effort should be made to keep the game moving and free from stoppages for doubtful infractions. Let them play and enjoy.

Assistant Referees/Club Linesmen:

If available, qualified assistant referees who have completed Assistant Referee Certification may be used to assist the referee. This is an opportunity for new assistant referees to begin getting experience. If qualified assistant referees are not available, Club Linesmen (untrained volunteers who may be affiliated with one of the teams/clubs) may be recruited from the spectators to assist the referee with calling the ball in and out of play only. This is an opportunity for parents to get involved.

No Heading:

Consistent with the US Soccer mandates on heading the ball, heading is banned for all division 12U and below in both practices and matches. An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if a player deliberately touches the ball with his/her head during a match (taken where the player touched the ball with his/her head).

Hand Ball:

A hand ball infraction occurs when a player handles the ball deliberately. The 'hand' includes the entire arm up to the top of the shoulder. Instinctive, self-protective reactions are not penalized at this young age. Accidental contact (ball striking hand or arm with no intent by the player) is not an offense and should not be penalized.

Offside:

The offside law applies in 10U and older games.

• A player is in the "offside position" if he/she is nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and the second-to-last-last opponent. 
• The build-out line shall be used as the line to determine offside. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build-out line.
• A player in the offside position is not in violation of the rule
• However, once he/she plays the ball while in the offside position, that is when the violation of the rule occurs
• In other words, a player is offside if he/she gains an advantage from being ahead of the ball at the moment the ball touches or is played by a member of the same team
  

• For an offside position to occur, all three conditions must occur:
  • The offensive player must be past the opposing team's build out line;
  • The offensive player must be closer to the opponent's goal line than the ball;
  • The offensive player must be closer to the opponent's goal line than the next to last defender
    
• The referee's moment of judgment is the instant the ball is played, not when it is received
  

Build-Out Line:

• The build-out line promotes playing the ball out of the back in a less pressured setting. 
• The build-out lone shall be placed across the field equidistant between the top of the penalty area and the halfway line.
• The opposing team must move back behind the build-out line for a goal kick or when the goalkeeper has possession. At any time, the goalkeeper may pass, throw or roll the ball to a teammate who is behind the build-out line.
• The goalkeeper or the player taking the goal kick does not have to wait for the opposing players to move behind the build-out line. After the ball is put into play, the opposing team can cross the build-out line and play may resume as normal. The first touch is from the goal kick or the pass from the goalkeeper.
• The build-out line shall be used as the line to determine offside. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build-out line.

Fouls:

For 10U and older games, all fouls identified in Law 12 apply. Refer to the Laws of the Game for more information.

Free Kicks:

Free kicks, in 10U and older games, may be either direct (may score directly), or indirect (must be touched or played by another player before a goal can be scored). Opponents must be at least eight yards from the ball or on the goal line between the goal posts during free kicks.

Penalty Kicks:

Penalty kicks may be awarded in 10U and older games. A penalty kick results from a player committing one of the ten direct free kick fouls inside his/her own penalty area. The penalty kick is taken from the penalty mark with all other players outside the penalty area except the opposing teams goalkeeper

Goalkeeper Punts:

For 10U, the goalkeeper shall not punt the ball. An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the offense if a goalkeeper deliberately punts the ball during a match. An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team's goal area must be taken on the goal area line at the point nearest to where the goalkeeper punted the ball. The ball may be placed on the ground and kicked back into play.

Coach Conduct on Game Day:

Coaches should stay in their technical area (coach's box) on their half of the field. Do not enter the field of play unless called onto the field by the referee. All language should remain positive, instructional, and encouraging. Refrain from negative or foul language.

Building on the Basics:

The three most important things we want the players to learn, at any division, are: 1) to have fun, 2) to try their best, and 3) to work together as a team. As coaches, we should be focused on Player Development, Positive Coaching, and properly teaching the technical and tactical mechanics of soccer.

In 8U, players should have been taught the basics for Foundational Foot Skills, Dribbling, Passing, and Shooting. These skills should continue to be fostered, challenged, expanded upon, and grown. (Remember, not all players learned these skills prior to joining your team. You may have some players still learning the basics at the beginning of the season.)

In 10U, we will build off the skills taught in 8U and we will introduce new technical and tactical skills to the players. Our goal is to further develop the players in an instructional, educational, and positive manner while having fun!

Foundational Foot Skills:

These skills build the foundation for the players' technical knowledge and skills. Toe taps, sole rolls, push pulls, tick tocks, and roll overs are foundational foot skills that players should have learned in 8U; however, not all players participate in the 8U division. These skills should continue to be built and practiced with players of all ages in order to work towards ball mastery. 

Dribbling:

Players should be competent at dribbling with the inside of both feet at the beginning of the season. Begin each season reintroducing the basics to players as a refresher. (For some players, this may be their first time learning these skills.) As the season progresses, players should be taught how to use all six surfaces of the foot for dribbling (inside, outside, instep, sole, toe, and heel). Players should be taught more advanced dribbling techniques such as: changes of direction (cut backs and turns), feints, and combination dribbling. Players should continue to strengthen their dribbling ability with BOTH feet throughout the season. Players should be able to dribble while looking up, with speed, and while demonstrating age appropriate ball control. Players must be encouraged to attempt to maintain possession of the ball by dribbling (or passing). By the end of the season, players should have the skills to dribble out of pressure/past an opponent, with their head up, and with speed into space.

Passing:

Players should be competent at two touch passes with the inside of both feet at the beginning of the season. Begin each season reintroducing the basics to players as a refresher. (For some players, this may be their first time learning these skills.)  As the season progresses, players should be taught how to use all six surfaces of the foot for passing (inside, outside, instep, sole, toe, and heel). Players should continue to strengthen their passing and receiving ability with BOTH feet throughout the season. Players should be able to control the ball and look for teammates to pass to rather than simply kicking the ball forward or to safety (clearing/booting the ball). Players must be encouraged to attempt to maintain possession of the ball by passing (or dribbling). Players should be encouraged to pass within their technical range; however, they should be challenged to increase their passing range and accuracy as the season progresses. Encourage players to pass more frequently with the outside of the foot to help improve the level of subtlety in young players.

Shooting:

Players should be able to shoot the ball with the appropriate form (laces, driven, following through, etc). Begin each season reintroducing the basics to players as a refresher. (For some players, this may be their first time learning these skills.) Players may need to be taught to the proper shooting form at the beginning of the season. Ensure that all players fully understand the proper and appropriate way to shoot a ball. As the season progresses, work on mastering shooting form, striking power, and accuracy. Players should be encouraged to practice taking shots at various distances and angles. 

Ball Control:

Players should be working on advancing their ball control skills. Players should be learning how to take their first touch into space in this division. Coaches should begin developing the players' "pre control" vision by asking players to assess the availability of space around them before receiving a pass. 
 

Set Pieces:

Kick Offs: These are taken at the start of the first and second half of a game and whenever a goal is scored. The ball must be stationary at the start of a kick off. The team NOT kicking off must stay outside of the center circle and on their half of the field. The ball is not in play until it has moved. The player taking the kick off must wait for the referee to blow their whistle before executing a kick off. Kick Offs are taken with a pass back in 10U.

Throw-Ins: These are taken when the ball has fully crossed the touchline (side of the field). The team that did NOT touch the ball last will take the throw in. The player must keep both feet on the ground and my not step onto the field during a throw-in. The ball goes over the player's head and is thrown onto the field using both hands. In 10U, players should be expanding upon their tactical and technical skills during throw-ins

Goal Kicks: These are taken when the ATTACKING team kicks the ball fully over the goal line, but not into the goal. The ball is placed on the goal line by the DEFENDING team, near the goal and on the side it went out. The opposing team must be BEHIND the build out line during the goal kick. Instruct your players to NEVER kick the ball across (in front of) the goal! (FAR AND WIDE is best!) In 10U, Players should be expanding upon their technical and tactical skills during goal kicks.

Corner Kicks: These are taken when the ball is kicked fully over the goal line, but not in the goal, by the DEFENDING team (kicking the ball out near your own goal). The ATTACKING team will place the ball in the corner arc on the side it went out. Players will kick the ball back into the field of play. Work with your players to keep the ball on the field during a corner kick, and preferably kicked towards the goal they are scoring on. Work with the other players on the field to be in a position to receive a pass from their teammate. In 10U, Players should be expanding upon their technical and tactical skills during goal kicks.

Dribbling	Passing	Shooting	Ball Control	Set Pieces
U10 Dribbling Drills to Improve Skills	Passing with Outside of Foot	Turn & Shoot Drill	First Touch into Space	Building Out of the Back (Goal Kicks)
Dribbling with Outside of Foot			Ball Control w/ Cone	Mastering Corner Kicks
Turning Exercise - Pull Backs				Indirect Free Kick Rules
Turning Exercise 2 - The Chop				Direct Free Kick Rules
Turning Exercise 3 - The Cryuff				Penalty Kick Rules
Turning Exercise 4 - The Hook and Pull				Throw In Strategies
Body Feints

Players should begin learning the attacking principles of play in a more in depth manner. Coaches should incorporate teaching these principles in their practices and ensuring that the players have a basic understanding of the principles by the end of the season. Learning and understanding the Attacking Principles of Play will take time and repetition. These principles will need to be continuously taught as players continue playing soccer. Encourage the players to learn these principles, but don't focus on the literary explanation of the principles so much as how they perform them on the field.

A video explaining the Attacking Principles of Play

The Attacking Principles of Play are:

1. Penetration
Penetration focuses on playing the ball through, around or over your opposition. Examples include passing to a teammate or dribbling the ball between players. The aim of penetration is to move your team further up the pitch and closer to the opposition’s goal.

2. Creating Space
Creating space is about spreading out. Your team should organize themselves in a way that 'opens up' the pitch. Ideally, you want players to move into high, wide and deep positions. This tactic will stretch your opposition's defense.

3. Movement/Mobility
This principle focuses on getting into useful positions. The aim is for players to create opportunities to receive the ball. Movement can be a small adjustment, like stepping backwards away from an opponent. It can also be much bigger and more intense, like sprinting behind the defense.

4. Support
   Providing support is about giving your team options – and helping them keep the ball. The idea is for players to move into positions that enable them to receive a pass. This could be behind, alongside or in front of their teammates.

5. Creativity
   This principle focuses on moments of magic. Creativity helps your team solve in-game problems and it can happen anywhere on the pitch. Your players could get creative on, near or even away from the ball. A great example of creativity is finding an unusual way to solve an issue. To do this, a player could use individual skills or work together with their teammates.

Where should 10U players be with these principles?

Support

Young players should not be restricted in their movements on the field and moving “with the game” should become a natural extension of passing. Passing sequences involving two and three players should be encouraged and can be expected at this age. These beginning attempts at combination play will become essential elements of mature play. At the U-9 and U-10 levels, an increase in the speed of ball circulation, coupled with a more controlled rhythm of play can be expected from competent players. Players should be encouraged to “find” new supporting positions away from teammates rather than be told where and when to move. By age ten, some children have started to think more abstractly about the use of space away from the ball; however many others do not yet demonstrate this spatial awareness, making large-group positional instruction irrelevant for the vast majority of nine and ten year-olds. More advanced nine and ten year olds will often appreciate supporting positions to the side of the field (width) while failing to demonstrate the importance of creating space downfield and ahead of the ball (depth).

Penetration	Creating Space	Movement/Mobility	Support	Creativity
Small Sided Games - Penetration	Soccer Drill: Creating Space 10U	Pass & Move Drill	Support the Attack Rondo
Passing Drill - Penetration	Creating Space to Receive a Pass	Off Ball Movement	Passing Lanes
Through Ball Pass	How to Create Space	Overlapping

*Most of these skills & drills can be used for multiple attacking principles. The attacking principles are used TOGETHER to create a successful attack.