6U Division Overview

The 6U division is designed to introduce players to their first team-based soccer experience. Players participate in short-sided games (4 vs. 4) on small fields with simplified rules.

This format maximizes ball touches, engagement, and opportunities for learning in a fun and supportive environment.

Practice and game play take place on the same field during a 55-minute session, which may vary slightly from week to week.

Field Size: Approximately 15–25 yards by 25–35 yards (adjusted based on field availability)
Ball Size: 3
Roster Maximum: 6 players
Players on Field: 4 vs. 4 (no goalkeepers)
Practice Sessions: Included within the scheduled game time (first 30 minutes)
Game Format: 25-minute game (four 5-minute periods with a 5-minute halftime)
Referees: One or both coaches facilitate play, focusing on keeping the game moving and allowing players to learn through play

07U & 08U Division Overview (National 8U)

The 07U and 08U division is a learning-focused division designed to build on fundamental skills and introduce structured team play.

Players participate in short-sided games on small fields with simplified rules to support development and maximize engagement.

Field Size: Approximately 25–35 yards long by 15–25 yards wide (adjusted based on field availability)
Goals: Maximum 6 feet high by 6 yards wide
Ball Size: 3
Roster Maximum: 6 players
Players on Field: 4 vs. 4 (no goalkeepers)
Practice Sessions: 45–60 minutes, once per week
Game Length: 40 minutes (two 20-minute halves, including breaks between quarters and halftime)

Game Format & Philosophy
Scores are not kept in this division, and no official game records are maintained.

Referees
Each team is expected to support referee coverage throughout the season.
Teams should alternate responsibility for providing a referee.

• Referees must complete required AYSO training (online certification for this division)
• Parents are encouraged to become certified and sign up to referee games
• Youth referees (age 10 and older) who have completed the required training may officiate matches

09U & 10U Division Overview (National 10U)

The 09U and 10U division builds on foundational skills while introducing increased game awareness, positioning, and team play.

Players participate in small-sided games that emphasize skill development and decision-making.

Field Size: Approximately 55–65 yards long by 35–45 yards wide
Goals: Maximum 6.5 feet high by 18.5 feet wide
Ball Size: 4
Roster Maximum: 10 players
Players on Field: 7 vs. 7 (including a goalkeeper; minimum of 5 players per team)
Practice Sessions: 45–60 minutes, up to two times per week
Game Length: 50 minutes (two 25-minute halves, including breaks between quarters and halftime)

Heading
Heading the ball is not permitted in this division.

Game Format & Philosophy
Scores and basic game statistics may be recorded; however, standings are not maintained and results are not used for rankings or seeding during the regular season. All regular season games are considered scrimmages. Scores are only used once Damon Garcia Cup play begins.

Player Sharing & Sportsmanship
Teams are expected to share players when an opposing team is short on players. Coaches are also expected to manage game situations to avoid lopsided scores.

Referees
Each team is expected to support referee coverage throughout the season.
Games are officiated by trained referees coordinated by the Regional Referee Administrator.

A standard match includes:

• 1 Center Referee
• 2 Assistant (Line) Referees
• Certification level: Regional Referee
• Volunteers must be at least 12 years old to become certified
• Youth referees are encouraged to be at least two years older than the division they officiate
• All assignments are subject to approval by the Regional Referee Administrator

12U Division Overview

The 12U division introduces more structured team play, including increased positional awareness and player responsibilities.

Field Size: Approximately 70–80 yards long by 44–55 yards wide (fields at Damon Garcia are typically set toward the smaller end of this range)
Goals: Approximately 6.5 feet high by 18.5 feet wide (maximum 7 feet by 21 feet)
Ball Size: 4
Roster Maximum: 12 players
Players on Field: 9 vs. 9 (including a goalkeeper; minimum of 6 players per team)
Practice Sessions: 45–60 minutes, up to two times per week
Game Length: 60 minutes (two 30-minute halves, including breaks between quarters and halftime)

Heading
Heading the ball is not permitted in this division.

Game Format & Philosophy
Scores and basic game statistics may be recorded; however, standings are not maintained and results are not used for rankings or seeding during the regular season. All regular season games are considered scrimmages. Scores are only used once Damon Garcia Cup play begins.

Referees
Each team is expected to support referee coverage throughout the season.

• Center Referee: Intermediate Referee
• Assistant Referees: Regional Referees or higher  

14U Division Overview

The 14U division represents the transition to full-field soccer, with increased pace of play, positional responsibility, and game awareness.

Field Size: Approximately 100 x 50 yards (minimum)
Goals: Official size goals (8 feet high by 8 yards wide)
Ball Size: 5
Roster Maximum: 15 players
Players on Field: 11 vs. 11 (including a goalkeeper; minimum of 7 players per team)
Practice Sessions: Up to 90 minutes per session, not to exceed 3 hours per week
Game Length: 70 minutes (two 35-minute halves, including breaks between quarters and halftime)

Game Schedule
Games may be scheduled on a combination of Wednesday evenings and Saturdays depending on seasonal registration numbers.

Heading & Division Placement
Heading the ball is permitted in this division. Due to this transition and alignment with AYSO National guidelines, players may not play up into the 14U division.

Game Format & Philosophy
Scores and basic game statistics may be recorded; however, standings are not maintained and results are not used for rankings or seeding during the regular season. All regular season games are considered scrimmages. Scores are only used once Damon Garcia Cup play begins.

The season culminates with the Damon Garcia Cup, which is the final division to participate in this end-of-season tournament.

Referees
Each team is expected to support referee coverage throughout the season.

• Center Referees: Advanced Referees
• Assistant Referees: Intermediate Referees or higher

16U & 18U Division Overview

The 16U and 18U divisions provide players with an opportunity to continue developing their skills in a full-field environment while maintaining AYSO’s focus on sportsmanship and positive play.

In Region 599, 16U and 18U are offered as separate divisions and are not combined, allowing for appropriate levels of competition, safety, and player experience.

Field Size: Approximately 100 x 50 yards (minimum)
Goals: Official size goals (8 feet high by 8 yards wide)
Ball Size: 5
Roster Maximum: 18 players
Players on Field: 11 vs. 11 (including a goalkeeper; minimum of 7 players per team)
Practice Sessions: Up to 90 minutes per session, not to exceed 3 hours per week
Game Length: 90 minutes (two 45-minute halves, including halftime)

Eligibility
Players must meet AYSO age eligibility requirements and Region 599 policies. Players who turn 18 during the Fall Core Season are not eligible to participate.

Scheduling
Games are scheduled on Wednesday evenings and conclude prior to the start of high school soccer season.

Teams may participate in inter-area play against other AYSO regions or local recreational programs. Matchups vary each season based on registration numbers and team availability.

Games are typically played at Damon Garcia. When opportunities arise, teams may participate in occasional travel games against other regions or programs, generally within the Central Coast area, with Santa Barbara representing the furthest anticipated distance during the Fall Core Season.

Game Format & Philosophy

Scores and basic game statistics may be recorded; however, standings are not maintained and results are not used for rankings or seeding during the regular season. All regular season games are considered scrimmages.

The focus remains on:

• Player development
• Sportsmanship
• Enjoyment of the game

Due to high school athletic commitments and scheduling considerations, Region 599 does not offer post-season programs for 16U and 18U beyond the Fall Core Season.

Referees
Each team is expected to support referee coverage throughout the season.

• Center Referees: Advanced Referees
• Assistant Referees: Intermediate Referees or higher