On this page 3 sections
Leelanau Soccer Club follows US Soccer’s recommendations for player development. Each stage builds in more technique and tactics as players grow. We help coaches plan seasons that move players through the stages below.
How age groups work
Since 2026–27, US youth soccer groups players by school year: a child’s age group covers everyone born between August 1 and the following July 31, for rec and LSC United alike. “U” stands for “under.” Children born August to December now play with the kids born early the next year.
When was your child born?
Choose the year and month to see their age group for 2026–27.
Too young for 2026–27 (born August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023).
Rec starts at U5, so next season.
Too young for 2026–27 (born August 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024).
Rec starts at U5.
U5 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022).
Rec: U5 All-Star Academy or U6, whichever suits your child. Not sure? Ask through the club’s Facebook page.
Too young for 2026–27 (born August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023).
Rec starts at U5, so next season.
U6 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021).
Rec: the U6 group (co-ed, 4v4).
U5 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022).
Rec: U5 All-Star Academy or U6, whichever suits your child. Not sure? Ask through the club’s Facebook page.
U7 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2019 to July 31, 2020).
Rec: the U8 group (boys and girls separate, 4v4).
U6 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021).
Rec: the U6 group (co-ed, 4v4).
U8 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019).
Rec: the U8 group (boys and girls separate, 4v4).
U7 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2019 to July 31, 2020).
Rec: the U8 group (boys and girls separate, 4v4).
U9 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018).
Rec: the U10 group (boys and girls separate, 7v7).
They can also try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U8 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019).
Rec: the U8 group (boys and girls separate, 4v4).
U10 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2017).
Rec: the U10 group (boys and girls separate, 7v7).
They can also try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U9 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018).
Rec: the U10 group (boys and girls separate, 7v7).
They can also try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U11 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016).
Rec: the U12 group (boys and girls separate, 9v9).
They can also try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U10 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2017).
Rec: the U10 group (boys and girls separate, 7v7).
They can also try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U12 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015).
Rec: the U12 group (boys and girls separate, 9v9).
They can also try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U11 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016).
Rec: the U12 group (boys and girls separate, 9v9).
They can also try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U13 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014).
Rec goes up to U12.
They can try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U12 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015).
Rec: the U12 group (boys and girls separate, 9v9).
They can also try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U14 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013).
Rec goes up to U12.
They can try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U13 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014).
Rec goes up to U12.
They can try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U15 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012).
Rec goes up to U12.
They can try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U14 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013).
Rec goes up to U12.
They can try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U16 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2010 to July 31, 2011).
Rec goes up to U12.
They can try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U15 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012).
Rec goes up to U12.
They can try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
U17 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010).
Rec goes up to U12.
LSC United doesn’t have a team for this age at the moment.
U16 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2010 to July 31, 2011).
Rec goes up to U12.
They can try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams.
Age groups now follow the school year, August 1 to July 31, for rec and LSC United alike. Rec divisions for 2026–27 are to be confirmed.
| Age group | 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| U4 | Too young for 2026–27 (born August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2023). Rec starts at U5, so next season. |
| U5 | U5 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2021 to July 31, 2022). Rec: U5 All-Star Academy or U6, whichever suits your child. Not sure? Ask through the club’s Facebook page. |
| U6 | U6 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021). Rec: the U6 group (co-ed, 4v4). |
| U7 | U7 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2019 to July 31, 2020). Rec: the U8 group (boys and girls separate, 4v4). |
| U8 | U8 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019). Rec: the U8 group (boys and girls separate, 4v4). |
| U9 | U9 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2017 to July 31, 2018). Rec: the U10 group (boys and girls separate, 7v7). They can also try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams. |
| U10 | U10 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2017). Rec: the U10 group (boys and girls separate, 7v7). They can also try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams. |
| U11 | U11 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2015 to July 31, 2016). Rec: the U12 group (boys and girls separate, 9v9). They can also try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams. |
| U12 | U12 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2014 to July 31, 2015). Rec: the U12 group (boys and girls separate, 9v9). They can also try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams. |
| U13 | U13 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2013 to July 31, 2014). Rec goes up to U12. They can try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams. |
| U14 | U14 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013). Rec goes up to U12. They can try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams. |
| U15 | U15 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012). Rec goes up to U12. They can try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams. |
| U16 | U16 in 2026–27 (born August 1, 2010 to July 31, 2011). Rec goes up to U12. They can try out for LSC United, the club’s competitive teams. |
| Age group | Born |
|---|---|
| U5 | Aug 2021 to Jul 2022 |
| U6 | Aug 2020 to Jul 2021 |
| U7 | Aug 2019 to Jul 2020 |
| U8 | Aug 2018 to Jul 2019 |
| U9 | Aug 2017 to Jul 2018 |
| U10 | Aug 2016 to Jul 2017 |
| U11 | Aug 2015 to Jul 2016 |
| U12 | Aug 2014 to Jul 2015 |
| U13 | Aug 2013 to Jul 2014 |
| U14 | Aug 2012 to Jul 2013 |
| U15 | Aug 2011 to Jul 2012 |
| U16 | Aug 2010 to Jul 2011 |
Our rec divisions are U5 (All-Star Academy), U6, U8, U10 and U12. Most take two age groups each; the fee table shows which.
The stages
| Stage | Age groups | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Initial | U6–U8 | Fun games, as much time on the ball as possible, basic movement with the ball |
| Basic | U9–U12 | Technique and skills, 1v1 and 2v1, small-sided games, trying several positions |
| Intermediate | U13–U14 | Tactics in bigger spaces, every type of technique, fitness with care for growing bodies |
Initial: U6 to U8
Children aged 5 to 8 love to play, so every practice should be built on fun games. Players need as much time on the ball as possible, and room to experiment on their own. This is the first time they have to play with other children, so give them different jobs to build a sense of team. Running, jumping and balance are learned together with handling and controlling the ball.
Most important now: passing and receiving, shooting, dribbling, and basic movement skills.
Basic: U9 to U12
From about 9 to 12, children learn skills especially fast, so this is the right time to work on technique. Use 1v1 and 2v1 situations to build individual attacking and defending, and passing to build team play. Small-sided games teach the basic principles of attacking and defending: keeping possession, combination play, switching between attack and defense, finishing, and defending as a unit. Players should rotate between two or three positions rather than specialize early. Speed, coordination, balance and agility are the physical focus.
Most important now: passing and receiving, shooting, ball control, 1v1 attacking and running with the ball; tactics begin.
Intermediate: U13 to U14
Practice turns more toward tactics, in bigger spaces, and players should practice every type of technique. Strength and endurance become part of training, with care, as players go through puberty. Warm-ups, cool-downs and flexibility matter. Players also build discipline by following the coach’s instructions in and out of practice.
Most important now: attacking and defending principles, receiving to turn and 1v1 defending, alongside everything before. Heading can be practiced in short, limited sessions; see Laws of the game.
Where this comes from
This page summarizes the US Soccer coaching curriculum: US Soccer coaching curriculum: age group organization (PDF).