Effective for 2008-2009 Missouri Youth Soccer Association is Mandating “Small Sided Games” for ALL U12 and below teams throughout the state of Missouri as recommend by US Youth Soccer Association.

“Small Sided Games” Playing and Rostering Sizes

Under 6: 3 against 3 no goalkeepers; Single Field Method Minimum Roster of 4, Maximum Roster of 6. Dual Field Method Minimum Roster of 8, Maximum of 10.
Under 8: 4 against 4 no goalkeepers; Single Field Method Minimum Roster of 6, Maximum of 8. Dual Field Method Minimum Roster of 10, Maximum of 12.
Under 10: 6 against 6 with goalkeepers; Single Field Method Minimum Roster of 9, Maximum Roster of 11.
Under 12: 8 against 8 with goalkeepers, Minimum Roster Size of 11, Maximum Roster of 13.
Under 13 to Under 19: 11 against 11 with goalkeepers, Follow the current Rostering Requirements in the Rules of Play.

Realizing that some member organizations face limitations regarding coaches, roster sizes, field layout and availability, the Missouri Youth Soccer Association Board of Directors may accept a written request by June 15, 2008 to allow member organizations a one (1) year transition period to comply with the new Mandated “Small Sided Games” rostering, and playing requirements as recommended by US Youth Soccer Association for intra league play. Upon written request teams that play under a Missouri Youth Soccer Association/US Youth Soccer Association Sanctioned leagues would be allowed to keep their existing roster size of 14 players with the understanding of transitioning to the new roster sizes, and playing rules for “Small Sided Games” as recommended by US Youth Soccer Association by the 2009/2010 season.

Sanctioned Missouri Youth Soccer Association/US Youth Soccer Association Grandfathered Tournaments in this state that have been submitted and approved or in the process of being approved for the 2008/2009 season may also submit written request by June 15, 2008 to allow the organizations tournaments a one (1) year transition period to comply with the new Mandated “Small Sided Games” rostering, and playing requirements as recommended by US Youth Soccer Association. Missouri Youth Soccer Association/US Youth Soccer Association Sanctioned members who host sanctioned tournaments would be allowed to keep their existing roster size of 14 players in their current tournament rules with the understanding of transitioning to the new roster sizes, and playing rules for “Small Sided Games” as recommended by US Youth Soccer Association by the 2009/2010 season.


This waiver only pertains to roster sizes not game formats.

There has been many questions regarding the new mandate for Small Sided Games so I wanted to answer to common questions:

When does this go into effect?

Fall 2008

Why is SLSYA offering old format?

SLYSA is willing to support what is requested by it's members therefore is willing to confirm to the new change mandated by MYSA but allow those teams that are looking to play the old format this the option to do so.

Is this request for 1 year transition for waiver of game format?

No, the message posted on the MYSA website pertains to roster sizes not game format, however because of the decision by SLYSA to offer both formats we are allowing this option for 1 year however it is not recommended.

We understand that there are teams that already had full rosters from last year and we felt it was unfair to those young children to be cut from a team because of a roster limit. The 1 year waiver would allow a team to carry a larger roster until 2009 where they could then conform to the new roster limits.

Why did this happen?

MYSA wanted to align the state with the surrounding states IL and KS that are already mandated to play small sided games which allows our teams to travel to those states and participate in their tournaments as well as those traveling into Missouri.

We had polled many folks throughout the state using Missouri Soccer Talk, Email and World Class Coaching Message Boards and Phone Calls and the topic of small sided games was stressed to us as something we needed to implement ASAP.

How do I know which teams are playing small games?

Because of the option to play the old format at SLSYA we have created a poll on Missouri Soccer Talk and the MYSA Eastern District web page to query folks as to which format they will play this fall. This will help coaches make a decision as to how many players they should have on their roster this fall.

The polls can be found:
Missouri Soccer Talk Home Page www.mosoccertalk.com
Eastern District Page www.mysa.org/content/view/81/137/