Michigan Soccer Training
Team Sheet
Pick your position — the armband marks where you are.
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U6–U8
Four players, no goalkeepers, tiny goals, and a beautiful cloud of kids chasing one ball. Every rule at this age exists to maximize touches and minimize standing around — the two things that actually develop 6-year-olds.
New for 2026–27 · Age groups changed
For the first time since 2016–17, age groups are built on the school calendar again. US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer and AYSO all moved team formation from birth year (Jan 1 – Dec 31) to school year (Aug 1 – Jul 31), starting with the 2026–27 registration year. ECNL and ECNL-RL, Girls Academy, National 1 and MSPSP all follow it.
Born Jan 1 – Jul 31
Nothing unusual. Your player moves up one age group this season, the same as any other year.
Born Aug 1 – Dec 31
Your player stays in the same age group for 2026–27 instead of moving up — a one-time effect of the switch. This is the group that gets confused, and the reason for the change: they now play with their grade.
The exception: MLS NEXT is split
MLS NEXT did not move as one league. The Allstate Homegrown Division stayed on birth year (Jan 1 – Dec 31), to stay aligned with FIFA and the youth national teams. The Academy Division moved to school year with everyone else. That means a Michigan club running teams in both divisions is operating two different age calendars in the same building — and a player can be U15 in one and U16 in the other.
If your club plays MLS NEXT, ask which division a specific team is in before you assume a birth year. Homegrown vs Academy Division →
2026–27 age groups
| Group | Born between |
|---|---|
| U6 | Aug 1, 2020 – Jul 31, 2021 |
| U7 | Aug 1, 2019 – Jul 31, 2020 |
| U8 | Aug 1, 2018 – Jul 31, 2019 |
High school soccer is unaffected — MHSAA has always run on grade and eligibility, not birth year. Rec leagues set their own windows, so confirm with your club. Sources: US Youth Soccer and US Club Soccer age-group decisions, the MLS NEXT age group update, Girls Academy's seasonal-year announcement, and MSYSA's 2026–27 registration notice.
There is no goalkeeper on purpose — nobody should be standing in a net at 6.
No score tables or standings in most rec leagues at this age. That's a feature, not an oversight.
Coaches are often allowed on the field with the youngest groups.
Redo instead of whistle-and-lecture
Many leagues use young referees or coach-officials who simply restart play — teaching, not punishing.
Deliberate header → indirect free kick
U.S. Soccer's heading ban applies in games and practice at this age.
Sideline note
The correct sideline soundtrack at 4v4 is cheering and laughing. Tactical instructions shouted at a 7-year-old are noise at best — the swarm IS the development.