Because of the diverse population of players who participate in the sport of soccer globally, there are different regulating bodies that determine the rules governing the game. Each of these organizations have standards that provide for modifications for youth soccer players. Although selecting a properly sized shin guard is universal to all soccer players, ball size varies by age group.
Rules and Regulations
FIFA, or the Federation Internationale de Football Association, is the body that oversees competition at the international level. In the United States, the rule book of FIFA applies to leagues with soccer players over age 13. To accommodate younger athletes and small children, the United States Youth Soccer Organization has adopted its own set of rules. It offers modified playing rules for the age groups of Under-6, Under-8, Under-10 and Under-12 to accommodate for the developmental state of children.
Shin Guards
Shin guards are a compulsory part of game play. Shin guards offer a player's legs and ankles protection from an opponent's strike. Shin guards are available in a variety of colors and materials with different levels of protection. The most basic shin guard has a foam core covered by a piece of plastic that sits inside a fabric sleeve. The more technically advanced shin guards are made of synthetic materials that use either heat or water to make a customized mold to the player's leg. Shin guards often come in small, medium or large, and offer a range in inches that the shin guard covers. A properly fitted shin guard will go from approximately 1 inch below the knee to 1 inch above the ankle.
Ball
Soccer balls come in three sizes that vary by circumference and weight. For players over age 13, FIFA rules dictate that a size 5 ball be used in competition. The ball must be made of leather or suitable material with a circumference between 27 and 28 inches and a weight between 14 and 16 oz. For players between the ages of 10 and 12, a size 4 ball, between 25 and 26 inches in circumference and 14 to 16 oz. in weight should be used. Players under the age of 10 use a size 3 ball with a circumference between 23 and 24 inches and a weight between 11 and 12 oz.
Field Size and Game Length
Other modifications for young children include changing the field size and game length. Younger children do not possess the same stamina or strength as adolescents and are not capable of covering a full-size field effectively. A standard soccer game consists of two 45-minutes halves played on a 110-by-80-yard field. Modifications offered by United States Youth Soccer allow for games as short as four six-minute quarters for players under age 6 on fields as small as 20-by-15 yards.
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