FRISCO, Texas (Sept. 9, 2024) – US Youth Soccer (USYS) today announced the 18 member clubs selected to participate in The Game Format Project for the 2024 and 2025 soccer seasons.
The project’s focus is supporting USYS member clubs by providing resources to apply a new game model to their U5 and U6 recreation age groups. Utilizing research from Europe and a U.S. Soccer pilot program, the project shifts these age groups to a model utilizing smaller fields with games of 2v2 or 3v3.
Participating clubs can select the game format they like to implement based on researched[1]informed recommendations for field size, team size, length of games, restarts, etc. The smaller fields and fewer players lead to more touches on the ball, enhanced decision-making, increased scoring opportunities, and greater enjoyment.
“The goal is to foster the most positive and effective learning environment and the 2v2 or 3v3 game models will allow us to create a more developmentally appropriate format for these ages,” said USYS Chief Soccer Officer Tom Condone.
The initiative is funded in part by the U.S. Soccer Federation’s Innovate to Grow grant.
Organizations selected for this project commit to implementing the game model for two seasons consisting of a minimum of six weeks each season. US Youth Soccer is dedicated to learning from the organizations, parents, and coaches participating in the project, and will work with participants to collect survey data from coaches and parents.
BazookaGoal is the official equipment partner of the Game Format Project and is providing each participating member with six sets of 5’ x 3’ goals and 12 corner flags.
Additionally, each club receives 30 memberships to USYS University, powered by etrainu. Coaches working within the age groups will complete the Welcome to Grassroots Coaching course and access more than 30 additional courses on USYS University.
USYS continues to provide opportunities for its members to evolve the game and provide quality player-centered approaches that enhance individuals’ development and enjoyment. Nearly 80 organizations from more than 30 USYS State Associations submitted applications for this initial year of the project. Clubs not selected are encouraged to apply again next spring. Over the next two years, USYS will support 45 more organizations via adoption of the game models.
The 18 clubs selected:
Chicagoland United SC, Illinois
Clark Fork Soccer Alliance, Montana
Dubuque Soccer Club, Iowa
Elizabethtown Youth Soccer Association, Kentucky
Greenville Youth Soccer Association, Mississippi
Harvard Soccer Club, Massachusetts
High Country Soccer Association, Colorado
Howell Soccer Club, New Jersey
Jackson Hole Youth Soccer Club, Wyoming
McLean Youth Soccer, Virginia
Nether United, Eastern Pennsylvania
Pima County Surf Soccer Club, Arizona
Pinellas County United SC
Plum Area Soccer, Pennsylvania West
Sanford Springvale Soccer Association, Maine
Success Academy, Eastern New York
Weatherford Soccer Club, Oklahoma
Webster Groves Soccer Club, Missouri
About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer)
US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers nearly 2.5 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and nearly 1 million administrators, coaches, and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.
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