Lots of new changes to Youth Soccer based on the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) Player Development Initiative (PDI) mandates and for AYSO they all start on 1 Aug 2017 (the start of the AYSO MY2017 membership year)

I have attached the AYSO rules and regs that help explain it but here is my summary of a few big ones:

1. BUILD OUT LINE:  (no mention of the color being blue)

• The build out line is only for 9U to 10U (9 and 10 year olds)
• The build-out line shall be placed across the field equidistant between the top of the penalty area and the halfway line
• The intent is to promote (teammates) playing the ball out of the back field in a less pressured setting
• The opposing team must move behind the build out line when the goalkeeper has the ball in his or her hands during play from the opponent,
  • Once the opposing team is behind the build out line or at any time prior to, the goalkeeper can pass, throw or roll the ball to a teammate (punts and drop kicks are not allowed)
  • After the ball is put into play by the goalkeeper, the opposing team can cross the build out line and play resumes as normal
• The opposing team must also move behind the build out line during a goal kick. 
  • The play from the goalkeeper or from the goal kick must be played to a teammate.
    • The teammate can be in the penalty area, goal area or any other area on their half of the field
  • After the ball is put into play, the opposing team can then cross the build-out line and play may resume as normal.
  • The first touch is from the goal kick or the goalkeeper.
  • The goalkeeper or the player taking the goal kick does not have to wait for the opposing players to move behind the build-out line for the game to continue
• The build-out line shall be used as the line to determine offside.
  • Opposing team players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and the build-out line.

1. GOALKEEPER PUNTS AND DROP KICKS are not allowed

• For 9U to 12U (9,10,11 AND 12 year olds),
• The goalkeeper shall not punt or drop kick the ball.
• An indirect kick will be awarded to the opposing team at the spot of the offense if a goalkeeper for 9U to 12U deliberately punts the ball during a match.
• An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team’s goal area must be taken on the goal area line at the point nearest to where the goalkeeper punted the ball.

1. 6U AND 8U DIVISIONS

• For 6U to 8U (5,6,7 AND 8 year olds),
• 4 players on the field (4v4)
• no goal keeper
• Field size
  • Length (25 to 35 yards)
  • Width (15 to 25 yards)
  • 5-yard radius center circle
  • Goal size 4x6 feet
• THROW-INS are not allowed
  • The throw-in is replaced with the pass-in.
  • Opposing players must be at least two yards from the ball until it is put into play

1. REGISTRATION AGE OF PLAYERS

• The effective date of age determination shall be the registrant’s age as of December 31 at the end of Membership Year.
  • i.e. Membership Year MY2017 ends on 31 July 2018 so the age determination is December 31, 2018.
  • Individuals who shall reach nineteen years of age by December of the end of the Membership Year are not eligible to participate in AYSO youth soccer but can join the AYSO adult leagues
• Playground is for 3,4 and 5 year olds (must be 3 at the start of the program)
• Schoolyard is for 4 and 5 year olds
• 6U is for 5 and 6 year olds
• 8U is for 7 and 8 year olds
• 10U is for 9 and 10 year olds
• 12U is for 11 and 12 year olds
• 14U is for 13 and 14 year olds
• 16U is for 15 and 16 year olds
• 18U is for 17 and 18 year olds