Age Groups for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021
Our table for age group eligibility is available below. Youngest players eligible for OVSL’s Spring 2021 season must have been born on or before 04/10/18. Oldest players eligible must have been born on or after 01/01/2006*.
U4 | U6 | U8 | U10 | U12 | U15 | |
Spring 2021 Birth Years | 2017, 2018** | 2015, 2016 | 2014, 2013 | 2012, 2011 | 2010, 2009 | 2006, 2007, 2008 |
OVSL encourages all players to play within their natural age group. “Move-ups” will only be accepted with approval from the OVSL Board and a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. “Move-downs” are also available to girls with approval from the OVSL Board. Contact us with any questions.
*”Trapped 8th Graders” are eligible for U15 play. A trapped 8th grader is a player who has aged-out of the U15 age group, but is still in 8th grade, so not eligible for high school soccer. Contact the OVSL Registrar or U15 Age Coordinator to register a trapped 8th grader.
**U4 players must turn 3 years old prior to start of season.
U4 Age Group
2017, partial 2018 (must turn 3 years old prior to start of season)
Group Coordinator: David Staats
Co-Coordinator: Caitlin Evans
OVSL’s U4 age group consists mostly of 3-year-olds. The group meets once per week for a practice+game event. 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 (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
2016, 2015
Group Coordinator: Heather Sloan
Co-Coordinator: Katie Fleming
OVSL’s U6 age group consists mostly of 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
U8 Age Group
2014, 2013
Group Coordinator: Jon Hurley
Co-Coordinator: Kylee Evans
OVSL’s U8 age group consists mostly of 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: 6 vs 6, 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
2012, 2011
Group Coordinator: David Staats
Co-Coordinator: John Evans
OVSL’s U10 age group consists mostly of 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
2010, 2009
Group Coordinator: Steven Hollis
Co-Coordinator: Adam Barrow
OVSL’s U12 age group consists mostly of 11-year-olds. These teams typically meet twice per week for practice and have a single game each weekend, usually Saturday afternoons. 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.
- 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
2006, 2007, 2008
Group Coordinator: Steven Hollis
Co-Coordinator: Adam Barrow
OVSL’s U15 age group consists mostly of 13-year-olds. These teams typically meet twice per week for practice and have one or two games each weekend. U15 practices take place on our primary field space in Barlow/Vincent, but games are played with coordinating area rec leagues in the Mid-Ohio Valley area. Teams are expected to travel within Washington and Wood County each weekend.
- Ball: Size 5
- Format: 11 vs 11, including goalkeeper (may play 7 vs 7 some seasons)
- Periods: 30 or 35 minute halves
- Referees: one Center Referee, two Assistant Referees
- Rule Modifications: host-league rules apply