PLAYER DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES 

AYSO wants to develop players with more individual skill, intelligence, creativity and confidence. Players should be having fun and feel free to make their own decisions. To this end, AYSO has implemented the USSF Player Development Initiatives for younger players in situations including heading the ball, throw-ins, goalkeeper punts and use of the build-out line. 

HEADING THE BALL (14U AND UNDER) 

• Heading is banned for all division players 11U and below (12U and below for programs without single age divisions) in both practices and matches. 
• Heading for players in 14U is limited to a maximum of 30 minutes per week with no more than 15-20 headers, per player. There is no restriction on heading in matches. 
• An indirect free kick will be awarded to the opposing team if a player in the above-stated divisions, deliberately touches the ball with their head during a match. The indirect free kick is to be taken from the place where the player touched the ball with their head with the following exceptions:
  • An indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team’s goal area, must be taken on the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the player touched the ball with their head.
  • An indirect free kick awarded to the defending team in their own goal area may be taken from anywhere in that area.
• Neither cautions nor send-offs shall be issued for persistent offenses or denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity related to the heading infractions. 

THROW-INS (6U AND 8U) 

• For 6U, the throw-in is replaced with the pass-in. Opposing players must be at least two yards from the ball until it is kicked. 
• For 8U, each Region shall have the discretion to use either throw-ins or pass-ins or dribble-ins to restart play. 
• Training of throw-in technique may begin at 8U and up. 

GOALKEEPER PUNTS (9U AND 10U) 

• For 9U and 10U, the goalkeeper shall not punt, nor 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 and 10U deliberately punts the ball during a match, except that an indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team inside the opposing team’s goal area must be taken on the goal area line which runs parallel to the goal line at the point nearest to where the goalkeeper punted the ball. 

BUILD-OUT LINE (9U AND 10U) 

• The build-out line shall be placed across the field equidistant between the top of the penalty area and the halfway line. 
• The opposing team must move behind the build-out line for a goal kick or when the goalkeeper has possession. 
  
• The player taking the goal kick, does not have to wait for opposing players to move behind the build-out line to put the ball into play. The goal kick may be played to either side of the build-out line. The ball is in play after the ball is kicked and clearly moves, after which the opposing team may cross the build-out line. If an opponent crosses the build out line before the ball is in play and interferes with the goal kick, the kick is retaken. 
• The goalkeeper in possession of the ball in their hands does not have to wait for the opposing players to move behind the build out line to release the ball. The ball may be released to either side of the build out line, after which the opposing team may cross the build out line. If an opponent crosses the build out line before the ball is released and interferes with play, an indirect free kick is awarded to the goal keeper’s team at the point where the opponent crossed the build out line. 
• The build-out line in the opponent’s half of the field shall be used as the line to determine offside. Players cannot be penalized for an offside offense between the halfway line and that build-out line.