Coaching Checklist

***PLEASE*** use the same email address and the same spelling for your name (full legal name is best) when you sign up for SafeSport, on our website, for background checks, and with U.S. Soccer Coaching Education. This will make many things easier later.

All SCSL coaches must complete the following steps:

1. Volunteer! When registering your child for a season, choose the option to indicate that you are interested in coaching.
2. Register yourself as a coach in GotSport using the coach registration link (free).
3. Complete the SafeSport training for volunteers. This is required of all volunteers. No exceptions will be made. Check with your age commissioner for a code to take the training for free.
4. Complete the background check. You will receive a link to submit your background check after your coach registration has been finalized.
5. Sign up to access U.S. Soccer Coaching Education resources and complete the appropriate Grassroots Coaching online course (see below).

Coaching Education

SCSL will reimburse coaches who complete the U.S. Soccer online training courses.

• 6U and 8U Coaches: 4v4 Online Course
• 10U Coaches: 7v7 Online Course
• 12U Coaches: 9v9 Online Course
• 15U Coaches: 11v11 Online Course

Age Divisions at a Glance

6U is an introduction to soccer. It’s all about having fun and keeping the ball at players’ feet at all times. Teach your players fundamentals like dribbling, passing, shooting, and throw-ins. Play lots of games and have fun!

• Practice once a week.
• Use a size 3 ball.
• Typically played 5v5 over four 10-minute quarters.
• No referees; coaches are on the field guiding players and officiating the game.
• No goalies; defensive players must be outside the goal box (arc).
• Be lenient calling out of bounds, goal kicks, or corner kicks.
• No headers.

8U is introductory, but more competitive. It’s still about having fun, but on a larger field with opportunities to start teaching players positioning and cooperation. Keep playing games and working on fundamentals, but start to introduce spacing (“spread out”) and positioning (“get open”).

• Practice at least once a week.
• Use a size 3 ball.
• 5v5 over four 10-minute quarters.
• Officiated by a referee; coaches are on the sidelines.
• No goalies; defensive players must be outside the goal box (arc).
• No headers.

10U is more competitive and starts to resemble “real” soccer. The 10U field is much bigger, and introduces new concepts like goalies and offsides. This is a big shift for players moving up from 8U. Teach your players how to play positions, move together on the field, and attack or defend the goal.

• Two weekly practices is ideal, but you must practice at least once a week.
• Use a size 4 ball.
• 7v7 over two 25-minute halves.
• A goalie protects a much bigger goal; no punting or drop-kicks.
• Offsides is enforced past the “build-out” (dashed) line.
• More strictly officiated by a referee.
• No headers.

12U is more competitive and tactical. More players are positioned on a larger field, introducing opportunities for more complex and strategic play. Focus on positional play and spacing (triangles), tactics, and reading the game.

• Practice at least twice a week.
• Use a size 4 ball.
• 9v9 over two 25-minute halves.
• A goalie protects a bigger goal; punting is allowed.
• Traditional offsides is enforced.
• More strictly officiated by a referee.
• No headers.

15U is our most competitive age division, adhering to traditional soccer rules. A full roster of players are positioned on a full size field. Continue to focus on positional play and spacing (triangles), tactics, and reading the game.

• Practice at least twice a week.
• Use a size 5 ball.
• 11v11 over two 45-minute halves.
• A goalie protects a full-size goal; punting is allowed.
• Traditional offsides is enforced.
• Strictly officiated by a referee.
• No headers.