Soccer Field Size and Goal Size

Do your soccer field Size and Goal Size match the sizes recommended for your youth team (or your over 30 team).  Rules of the game allow these dimensions to be adjusted for the size and age of the players.  This concentrates the play resulting in more touches for the players, thus more fun for the players.  An added benefit to the increased enjoyment is increased learning and skill levels.  Refer to the chart below for field sizes recommended.

FIELD SIZE

AGE GROUP     DIMENSIONS     PERCENT

U-14                   FULL SIZE           100%

U-12                   50yds x 80yds       80%

U-10                   40yds x 70yds       70%

U-8                     20yds x 50yds       50%

U-6                     15yds x 30yds       25%

Refer to the posting "What size soccer goal do I need" for the size soccer goal frame to go with the field size.

In addition to reduced dimensions for soccer goal and field, using fewer players per side can generate more flow and action in the game.  The obvious age group where reducing the dimensions and number of players can produce better results is in the U-6 or even the U-8.  Play in these age group using 11-man sides frequently results in a swarm of twenty players around the ball with a goal keeper standing at each end of the field.  Using teams consisting of three players per side on a field 15 yards wide by 30 yards long with a goal frame 4' high by 6' wide can loosen up the play and may even result in passing or a player may emerge as a ball handler.  Not many U-6 or U-8 players can sustain play on a field 100 yards long.  They also lack the power to kick the ball far enough to play on a full-size field.  Teams through the U-10 age group can benefit from a smaller field and sides consisting of fewer than 11 players, 8 per side is a good number for this age group with a field 40 yards wide by 70 yards.  Generally speaking, the U-12 and older players can handle a full-size field.

That brings us to some older folks playing recreational soccer.  I personally played through the age of 50.  I can confirm that most folks over the age of 35 to 40 could benefit from a shorter field.  I don't think a smaller goal size would make the game more enjoyable, I needed as large a goal as possible.