2016 RULES CHANGES
This year US Soccer, the governing body for New Hampshire Soccer Association and New Hampshire Soccer League (NHSL), has adopted a number of rules changes that will affect all soccer clubs in the State. Those of you that play with Seacoast United, for instance, may already have received a memo similar to this one. Below is a brief discussion of the changes for this year.
- Less Heading: There will be no heading of the ball in games for teams U10/U11 and under. Older age groups will not be affected, although all of us playing under US Soccer want to make everyone more aware of issues related to potential head injuries in all sports, including soccer.
- Game Team Size: U9/U10 will now play 7 v 7. U11/U12 players will play 9 v 9.
- Field and goal size: U9/U10 and U11/12 goals will be the same size where available. Field sizes will also be slightly larger. This change will be gradually adopted to allow clubs to obtain new equipment as older goals are replaced, and to recognize the physical limitations of some clubs fields.
- Shift in Birth year groupings of players: There will be a shift in birth year groupings for players starting in 2016 placing all players born in a given year together. Although PCSC – as well as a number of other clubs - is not in favor of this shift, our teams will be required by NHSL to use the new rules as will the other seacoast clubs including Seacoast United. This is a shift that is happening on a statewide and nationwide basis.
As this new provision is the one generating the most questions, here is further information relating to the shift in birth year placement of players:
Old rule for age placement of players: Players born before August 1st of any given year would play in the group that was “under” their age for that year. For example, a 12 year old child born on July 31st or before of a year, would be U13 player.
New rules for age placement of players: Players born in a given calendar year will be grouped together. This shifts the current cut off from the July 31st date to December 31st. So, starting in 2016, a player born at any time during 2003 would be a U14 player.
Effect of Application of New Rules: As a result of this change we will have a number of 8th graders born in 2002 that otherwise would have played as U14 players this year. Next Fall, however, they will be U15 players. We are currently working with other clubs and NHSL to have a U15 level of play so these players can continue to play for PCSC in 8th grade.
After reviewing our current players and their birth years, we feel that we will have a place for our 8th graders to play. Also, we are working to stay focused on developing our soccer players at all levels. After try-outs in May, we will look to form teams by considering overall skill and playing ability, team numbers using the academy system, a player’s grade, and coaching resources to form our teams and academy playing groups for the Fall. If necessary, we may consider combining with other seacoast clubs to form teams. Different age groups will have different needs and considerations. We will be working with everyone to balance those needs and continue our mission of providing quality soccer training and development for our players.
Thank you
PCSC Board