How old is an “Under-X” player? Soccer “age” is measured from August 1 to July 31. Also “Under -X” sort of means “X and Under.” Basically, the question to ask is: “How old will this player be on August 1?” This will tell you what age group (s)he is in.
For example: Miki is eight years old, and was born on August 8. She wants to play on the team with her classmates, who are all seven, this September. It’s OK - on the 1st of August, almost a year away, she is still eight years old! Miki is an “Under-8” player.
Will is 16 years old, and wants to play on my ”Under-16” (U-16) team this Fall. However, Will’s birthday is June 16th. Come next August 1, he will be already be 17 - Will is an “Under-17” player, even though he will be 16 for all of the Fall and Spring Seasons!
A final note - these age groups regulate the maximum age of players - players who have good skills and are big enough are permitted and even encouraged to play “up” in an older age bracket. Our U6 age bracket is for kindergarten and pre-school children as young as four.
Age Group Chart Use
The oldest player on the team must be born on or after the date listed. Standard age groups are shown in bold. In recreational soccer, other age groups may be played in tournaments, but are not often used. See the VYSA web site if you have any doubts.
Age groups in effect for the 2008-2009 seasonal year
U19 (8/1/89 - 7/31/90)
U18 (8/1/90 - 7/31/91)
U17 (8/1/91 - 7/31/92)
U16 (8/1/92 - 7/31/93)
U15 (8/1/93 - 7/31/94)
U14 (8/1/94 - 7/31/95)
U13 (8/1/95 - 7/31/96)
U12 (8/1/96 - 7/31/97)
U11 (8/1/97 - 7/31/98)
U10 (8/1/98 - 7/31/99)
U9 (8/1/99 - 7/31/00)
U8 (8/1/00 - 7/31/01)
U7 (8/1/01 - 7/31/02)
U6 (8/1/02 - 7/31/03)