Age Groups for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024
Our table for age group eligibility is available below. Youngest players eligible must have been born on or before 04/12/2022. Oldest players eligible must have been born on or after 01/01/2010. Age groups change prior to each Fall season.
OVSL encourages all players to play within their natural age group. “Move-ups” of one or two years will only be accepted with approval from the OVSL Board and a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. NO players may move up more than three years. Move-up considerations prioritize the development and competition-level of the age groups and players, not family convenience.
**U4 players must turn 3 years old prior to start of season. Some 2022-born players will be eligible in Spring.
U4 Age Group
(must turn 3 years old prior to start of season)
Group Coordinator: Jesseca Dodd
OVSL’s U4 age group consists mostly of 3-year-olds. The group meets once per week for a practice+game event. All U4 activities take place on our primary field space in Barlow/Vincent.
- Ball: Size 3
- Format: 4 vs 4, no goalkeeper
- Periods: 8 minute quarters (or coaches’ discretion)
- Referees: none (coaches on field with players)
- Rule Modifications: loose observance of “out-of-bounds”. Do not stop play, but guide players back to the field
U6 Age Group
Group Coordinator: Caitlin Evans
OVSL’s U6 age group consists mostly of 4 and 5-year-olds. These teams typically meet once per week for practice and have a single game on Saturday morning/early afternoon. All U6 activities take place on our primary field space in Barlow/Vincent.
- Ball: Size 3
- Format: 4 vs 4, no goalkeeper
- Periods: 8 minute quarters
- Referees: none (coaches on field with players)
- Rule Modifications: all out-of-bounds restart with a “kick-in”. No defending inside of the goal area ahead of the ball.
U8 Age Group
Group Coordinator: John Evans
OVSL’s U8 age group consists mostly of 6 and 7-year-olds. These teams meet once or twice per week for practice and have a single game on Saturday morning/early afternoon. All U8 activities take place on our primary field space in Barlow/Vincent.
- Ball: Size 3
- Format: 5 vs 5, including goalkeeper
- Periods: 10 minute quarters
- Referees: one Center Referee
- Rule Modifications:
- goal kicks, corner kicks, and throw-ins all observed
- “Unlimited” attempts at legal throw-ins
- All free-kick restarts are taken indirect
- Goal Area and Penalty Area are combined
- No intentional heading of the ball
- Opposing team must move back behind the center line for goal kicks
- Pass-back to goalkeeper violation not enforced
- Offsides violation not enforced
U10 Age Group
Group Coordinator: Amber Hoyt
OVSL’s U10 age group consists mostly of 8 and 9-year-olds. These teams meet once or twice per week for practice and have a single game on Saturday morning or afternoon. All U10 activities take place on our primary field space in Barlow/Vincent, with the exception of the occasional game at coordinating area rec leagues in the Mid-Ohio Valley area.
- Ball: Size 4
- Format: 7 vs 7, including goalkeeper
- Periods: 25 minute halves
- Referees: one Center Referee, two Assistant Referees
- Rule Modifications:
- No intentional heading of the ball
- Two throw-in attempts before change of possession
- Opposing team must move back behind the center line for goal kicks
U12 Age Group
Group Coordinator: Kylee Evans
OVSL’s U12 age group consists mostly of 10 and 11-year-olds. These teams typically meet twice per week for practice and have a single game each weekend, usually Saturday mornings. U12 practices and most games take place on our primary field space in Barlow/Vincent. U12 often participates with coordinating area rec leagues in the Mid-Ohio Valley area, and may play one or two Sundays in a season.
- Ball: Size 4
- Format: 9 vs 9, including goalkeeper (may play 7 vs 7 some seasons)
- Periods: 30 minute halves
- Referees: one Center Referee, two Assistant Referees
- Rule Modifications: No intentional heading of the ball.
U15 Age Group
Group Coordinator: John Evans and Steven Hollis
OVSL’s U15 age group consists mostly of 12, 13 and 14-year-olds. These teams typically meet twice per week for practice and have a single game each weekend, usually Saturday afternoons. For Spring 2025, U15 practices and most games will take place on our primary field space in Barlow/Vincent. U15 often participates with coordinating area rec leagues in the Mid-Ohio Valley area, and may play one or two Sundays in a season.
- Ball: Size 5
- Format: 11 vs 11, including goalkeeper or smaller sided if teams rosters require
- Periods: 30 or 35 minute halves
- Referees: one Center Referee, two Assistant Referees