The Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards are designed to create the best possible learning and development environment for young players in Canada. The standards set a consistent national direction for grassroots soccer while recognizing that geography, climate, and infrastructure can vary across regions. Where a standard cannot be met, organizations may pursue special dispensation through their Provincial or Territorial Member Association with supporting rationale and an action plan.
Why These Standards Exist
Grassroots soccer should help as many children as possible develop a passion for the ball, become skillful, and learn to adapt and solve soccer problems. A key focus is maximizing meaningful ball interaction and decision-making through age-appropriate formats and environments.
Guiding Principles
- Programs are structured to match the age and developmental stage of players and support multi-sport participation, activity sampling, and life balance.
- Matches are played on appropriately sized fields, with suitable goals and ball sizes, using developmentally appropriate match day formats.
- Coaches have the greatest impact on player experience, and every child deserves a properly qualified coach.
- Children register to play soccer, not to watch others play or spend excessive time traveling. Teams should strive for fair playing time and limit travel time as much as possible.
- Talent identification and selection are delayed as long as possible to provide more players access to strong development environments.
- Match results are not the focus of grassroots soccer, because this can restrict development and reduce enjoyment.
Standards by Stage
The table below summarizes common program and match day standards by age group. Clubs and leagues may apply additional requirements within their jurisdiction.
Program and Match Standards Summary
| Criteria |
U4–U6 (Active Start) |
U6–U7 (Fundamentals) |
U8–U9 (Fundamentals) |
U10–U11 (Learn to Train) |
U12–U13 (Learn to Train) |
| Season or Block Length |
6–16 weeks |
6–16 weeks |
6–22 weeks |
10–22 weeks |
10–22 weeks |
| Practice-to-Match Ratio |
N/A |
1:1 or 2:1 |
2:1 or 3:1 |
2:1 or 3:1 |
2:1 or 3:1 |
| Structured Practice Duration |
30–60 min |
30–60 min |
45–75 min |
60–75 min |
60–90 min |
| Match Days per Week |
N/A |
1 (respecting the practice-to-match ratio) |
1 (respecting the practice-to-match ratio) |
1 (respecting the practice-to-match ratio) |
1 (respecting the practice-to-match ratio) |
| Memorable Events (Tournaments) |
N/A |
N/A |
2 per season |
2 per season |
3 per season |
| Match Format (Maximum) |
Informal games |
3v3 |
4v4 (no GK) or 5v5 (with GK) |
7v7 |
9v9 |
| Maximum Goal Size |
N/A |
Pop-up goals (3 ft x 5 ft / 0.91 m x 1.52 m) |
5 ft x 8 ft (1.52 m x 2.44 m) |
6 ft x 16 ft (1.83 m x 4.88 m) |
6 ft x 18 ft (1.83 m x 5.49 m) |
| Field Size |
N/A |
W: 18–22 m, L: 25–30 m |
W: 25–30 m, L: 30–36 m |
W: 30–36 m, L: 40–55 m |
W: 45–55 m, L: 65–75 m |
| Ball Size |
3 |
3 |
3 or 4 |
4 |
U12: 4, U13: 5 |
| Match Duration (Maximum) |
N/A |
30 min (2×15 or 4×7.5) |
40 min (2×20 or 4×10) |
50 min (2×25 or 4×12.5) |
U12: 70 min; U13: 80 min |
| Maximum Match Time Per Player Per Day |
N/A |
60 min |
80 min |
100 min |
120 min |
| Minimum Rest Between Matches |
N/A |
Duration of one match |
Duration of one match |
Duration of one match |
Duration of one match |
| Match Day Roster |
N/A |
Ideal: 6; Max: 9 |
Ideal: 8–10; Max: 12 |
Ideal: 10–12; Max: 14 |
Ideal: 14; Max: 18 |
| Match Day Format |
N/A |
Festival format |
Festival format |
Festival or league format |
Festival or league format |
| Referee or Game Leader |
N/A |
Game leader |
Game leader or referee |
Referee |
Referee |
| Sideline Restarts |
N/A |
Dribble-in and pass-in |
Dribble-in and pass-in |
Throw-in |
Throw-in |
| Offside |
N/A |
No |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Substitutions |
N/A |
Unlimited (on the fly or at stoppages) |
Unlimited (on the fly or at stoppages) |
Unlimited (any stoppage) |
Unlimited (any stoppage) |
| Retreat Line |
N/A |
Yes (halfway line) |
Yes (one third) |
No |
No |
Coach Qualification Standards
Coach training requirements follow Canada Soccer coach education minimum standards and Safe Sport roster expectations. Minimum standards can be increased by the Member Association within their jurisdiction.
Grassroots Stream Minimum Standards
- Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen
- NCCP Make Ethical Decisions (module and/or online evaluation)
- Respect in Sport Activity Leader Program
- NCCP Making Headway module
- NCCP Emergency Action Planning module
- NCCP Rule of Two module
Stage learning (as applicable) includes online theory modules and practical workshops for Active Start, Fundamentals, and Learn to Train.
Grassroots Community Stream Minimum Standards
- Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen
- Canada Soccer Coaching Soccer in Canada online module
- Respect in Sport Activity Leader Program
Player-to-Coach Ratios
Appropriate ratios support supervision, safety, and coach-player interaction. The ranges below reflect ideal and maximum guidance.
- U4: One-with-One informal play (child with adult)
- U6: Ideal 4:1, Maximum 8:1
- U6–U7: Ideal 6:1, Maximum 9:1
- U8–U9: Ideal 8:1, Maximum 10:1
- U10–U11: Ideal 8:1, Maximum 12:1
- U12–U13: Ideal 8:1, Maximum 14:1
Participation, Playing Time, and Travel
- Fair playing time is required for all grassroots players. Coaches should target a minimum of 50% playing time for each player whenever feasible.
- Players should be given opportunities to try different positions.
- Travel time should be limited, with a common benchmark of under 60 minutes each way in grassroots soccer.
Grouping Players and Team Formation
- Team formation should support child development and reduce stress on players.
- Open rosters are supported, allowing movement between teams on a regular and ongoing basis.
- Tryouts or similar evaluation events are not permitted in grassroots soccer in Canada up to U13.
- Tiering is not permitted before U10.
- No provincial, territorial, or regional select teams before U14.
Scores, Standings, and Tournaments
- Grassroots soccer emphasizes development and experience over results, and the removal of scores and standings is endorsed in grassroots stages.
- For U11 and younger, tournaments cannot include elimination games and should be played festival-style, with all teams playing an equal number of games regardless of results.
- Some flexibility may be available at U12 and U13 for tournament formats.
Key Operational Notes
- Season or block planning should include breaks between seasons or blocks to allow rest and support multi-sport participation.
- Practice is where most learning occurs through repetitions and feedback. Match day limits encourage meaningful practice time.
- Smaller match formats and adjusted field sizes increase touches and development opportunities for younger players.
- Maximum daily match time and minimum rest periods help protect player wellbeing and reduce burnout or injury risk.
- Festival formats for younger ages reduce travel and support appropriate competition structures.
- Game leaders can be used to keep the game moving, ensure safety, and support learning with simplified rules.
- Dribble-in and pass-in options for younger ages help keep the ball in play and increase skill learning opportunities.
- The retreat line is used as a teaching tool to encourage building play from the goalkeeper and improving confidence in possession.
