Team Divisions

Divisions Summary

Under-6 Division (K-League)

Under-6, or Kinder League, is for the youngest players, kindergarteners and younger 1st graders. Players must be 5 years old by July 31, 2009. A child who will be in kindergarten but won't turn 5 until fall may apply to "play up with grade" during the registration process.

The K-League program is a gentle introduction to organized group athletic activity and the game of soccer, starting with individual drills and working up to small-sided, informal games. No formal teams are created; each coach works with a group of 8-12 boys or girls. Each player must be accompanied by an adult who is expected to participate in most of the activities, often as the player's partner.

K-League usually begins the Saturday after the season starts for the older age groups and continues for 6 weeks. For 2009, the first session is Saturday in September, and it continues for seven weeks. Soccer time is 3 to 4 p.m. Meet at the soccer fields behind JLS Middle School on East Meadow. Each player will be issued a two-color, reversible uniform shirt. Shinguards are required. Please wear good "kicking shoes", and socks that cover the shinguards. Official cleated soccer shoes are not required. A water bottle is recommended.

Under-7 Division

4v4 Game organization Info and Tips on 4v4

Players in the Under-7 Division are 6 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have about 10 players on the roster. Games are low-key and instructional in format. Games are 4 players to a side ("4v4"). For a game, the team divides up into two groups, different combinations each week. The two sub-teams play simultaneous games against the two sub-teams of another team on fields set up for side-by-side games. Further description of this format is available on the 4v4 Game Organization page. There is also a page with News, Info, and Tips about this program. Games are refereed by parent volunteers from the teams playing. Refereeing for this age group is described in more detail in the Referee section, U7/U8/U9 Laws page.

Under-8 Division

4v4 Game organization Info and Tips on 4v4

Players in the Under-8 Division are 7 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have about 10 players on the roster. Games are low-key and instructional in format. Games are 4 players to a side ("4v4"). Fields are somewhat larger than in Under-7, approximately 40 x 30 yards. For a game, the team divides up into two groups, different combinations each week. The two sub-teams play simultaneous games against the two sub-teams of another team on fields set up for side-by-side games. Further description of this format is available on the 4v4 Game Organization page. There is also a page with News, Info, and Tips about this program. Games are refereed by parent volunteers from the teams playing. Refereeing for this age group is described in more detail in the Referee section, U7/U8/U9 Laws page.

Under-9 Division

Players in the Under-9 Division are 8 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have 12 players on the roster. They play games of 5-player teams on fields of approximately 50 x 35 yards, using slightly larger goals than the U8 games. Games are 5v5 (5 players to a side). For a game, the team divides up into two groups, different combinations each week. The two sub-teams play simultaneous games against the two sub-teams of another team on fields set up for side-by-side games. Games are refereed by parent volunteers from the teams playing. Refereeing for this age group is described in more detail in the Referee section, U7/U8/U9 Laws page.

Under-10 Division

Players in the Under-10 Division are 9 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have 10 players on the roster. They play games of 7-player teams on a field of approximately 60 x 40 yards with reduced size goals. Games are refereed by parent volunteers from the teams playing. The home team must provide a trained center referee. (Failure to do so means the home team forfeits the game.) The two assistant referees who work the sidelines may come from either team. Under-10 Rules and refereeing are described in more detail in the Referee section, on the Under-10 Rules page.

Under-12 Division

Players in the Under-12 Boys Division are 10 or 11 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have 13-15 players on the roster. Their games are on a field of approximately 90 x 60 yards with 9 players to a side.

Under-14 Division

Players in the Under-14 Division are either 12 or 13 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have 13-15 players on the roster. Their games are on full size fields with the standard 11 players to a side.

Under-16 Division

Players in the Under-16 Division are 14 or 15 years old by July 31, 2009. Teams generally have 14-18 players on the roster. This division plays U-16 teams from AYSO regions in Area 2A, which includes Portola Valley (Region 25), Palo Alto (26), Los Altos (43), Sunnyvale (44), Mountain View (45), and Menlo Park (109). Games are on Sundays for this division. In the Under-16 and Under-19 Divisions, free substitution is permitted in the 4th period for players who have already played 2 full quarters. See the referees' Free Substitution Rules page for a full description. Under-16 and Under-19 finish their season in early November to avoid overlapping with the high school soccer season. CCS rules do not allow a player on a high school team to participate in another soccer program at the same time.

Under-19 Division

Players in the Under-19 Division are 16, 17, or 18 years old by July 31, 2009. This division plays U-19 teams from AYSO regions in Area 2A, which includes Portola Valley (Region 25), Palo Alto (26), Los Altos (43), Sunnyvale (44), Mountain View (45), and Menlo Park (109). Games are on Sundays for this division. In the Under-16 and Under-19 Divisions, free substitution is permitted in the 4th period for players who have already played 2 full quarters. See the referees' Free Substitution Rules page for a full description. Under-16 and Under-19 finish their season in early November to avoid overlapping with the high school soccer season. CCS rules do not allow a player on a high school team to participate in another soccer program at the same time.

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