In the standard primary program offering of 5 Cities AYSO Region 83, we have leagues for 4 to 19 year-old's) split into different divisions (U6,U8,U10,U12,U14,U16 - all ages have a separate boys and girls division). This 15-year program is designed to allow for the development of the player through four stages as defined by the US Soccer Federation:
Initial stage: 4 years of introductory soccer in U6 - U8, also known as 'clinic play'. In this stage, the players play short sided 3v3 to 5v5 games without the distraction of standings or goalkeepers. An age-specific program is provided and taught to the coaches to teach essential technical skills to the players to best introduce them to soccer without complicating the game.
Basic stage: 4 years from U10 - U12 where we begin using the full Laws of the Game, maintain standings and a playoff structure. This is the age where we also introduce goalkeepers and further expand the skills taught to the players with a beginning of tactics, but training continues to be primarily concentrated on techniques. Techniques and other basic movements like balance and coordination have a much greater lasting effect when learned prior to age 12 and so we teach our coaches to concentrate on these aspects.
Intermediate stage: 2 years (U-14) of transition playing the full-sided game where tactics are increasingly taught and techniques are reinforced.
Advanced stage: (Depending on registration numbers) 5 years finishing their youth career playing divisions U16 and U19.