Michigan Soccer Training
Team Sheet
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U9–U10
Goalkeepers arrive, and with them the rule most sidelines have never read: the build-out line. It exists to teach playing out of the back instead of booting long — and it changes what 'good defending' looks like at this age.
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 |
|---|---|
| U9 | Aug 1, 2017 – Jul 31, 2018 |
| U10 | Aug 1, 2016 – Jul 31, 2017 |
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.
When the keeper has the ball (in hands or on a goal kick), opponents must retreat behind the build-out line until the ball is in play.
Punting is banned — the keeper distributes with feet or a throw, so teams learn to build.
Offside now exists, but only in the attacking zone past the build-out line.
Punt or drop-kick by the keeper
Indirect free kick from the spot of the offense — leagues vary on the exact restart, but it's always coming back.
Pressing before the ball is in play
The referee re-does the restart; persistent early pressing gets a talking-to.
Offside only past the build-out line
A cherry-picker at midfield is legal here — the line is the new offside boundary.
Sideline note
When the other team plays out of the back slowly and your sideline wants to scream 'PRESSURE!' — don't. The rule exists precisely so 9-year-olds get time on the ball under control.