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Evolving the
US Youth Soccer Elite Level Environment
February 2011
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Coaching Committee
Chairman: Dr. Tom Turner, Ohio North Region I Representative: Jim Kelly, Rhode Island Region II Representative: Ian Mulliner, Illinois
Region III Representative: Mike Strickler, Florida Region IV Representative: Mike Smith, Oregon
Board Liaison: Bob Singer, North Carolina
Coaching Department Liaison: Sam Snow , Texas Special At-Large Member: Dr. Lew Atkinson, Delaware
National League Committee
Chairman: Chris Christoffersen, Kansas Commissioner: Paul Luchowski, Ohio North
Region I Representatives: Ann Thompson, Virginia; Sue Ryan, New York Region II Representatives: Bud Manley, Ohio South; Tom Turner, Ohio North
Region III Representative: Lance Chapel, Georgia; Charlie Slagle, North Carolina Region IV Representatives: Dave Lamb, California-South; Nate Shotts, Colorado
Board Liaison: Larry Monaco, Virginia
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Your Presenter
Dr. Tom Turner Ohio Youth Soccer Association North
Director of Coaching and Player Development (1993- Present)
US Soccer National Instructional Staff (1994 – Present) US Youth Soccer National Instructional Staff (2001 – Present)
US Youth Soccer Region II Boy's ODP Head Coach (2007 – Present) US Youth Soccer Region II Girl’s ODP Head Coach (1994 – 2004)
US Youth Soccer National Coaching Committee (2008 – Present) US Youth Soccer National League Committee (2006 – Present)
US Youth Soccer Region II Midwest Regional League Committee (2002 – 2007) Ohio Youth Soccer Association North State League Commissioner (2004 – 2006)
3554 Brecksville Rd. Richfield, OH 44286
Web: www.oysan.org Office: (330) 659-0989 * Fax: (330) 659-0993 * Cell: (216) 496-4683
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
Quality and Mentality of Players
Quality and Frequency of Competition
Quality and Structure of the Environment
Quality of Coaching
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
Youth National Teams
US Soccer Development Academy
US Youth Soccer National Championship Series US Youth Soccer Regional & National Leagues
Elite Clubs National League
************
US Youth Soccer State Leagues
5 5
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
The “Aspiring” Player
Changed Persona Emotionally Different
Self-Motivated Committed to Playing and Training
Prodigies / Age Factor
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
One of the primary goals of elite level soccer is to prepare players to compete at the higher levels…
Senior National Teams
Professional Level Amateur Leagues
College Level Youth National Teams Representative Teams
Older Age Divisions
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining the Elite Level
No Development Without Peers!
Balanced competition with, and against like-skilled and like-motivated players improves
learning and development.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining the Elite Level
Competing in too many games, or in too many meaningless games, dulls the thrill of anticipation
and reduces the gains in emotional intelligence associated with preparing to compete against
talented opposition.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
The coaching and playing environment that challenges players to constantly operate on the boundary of their comfort zone best serves to
promote learning and long-term development.
An elevated level of anxiety is important for learning. The prospect of playing good opposition
raises the anxiety necessary for optimal performance and improvement.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
US Youth Soccer values soccer as the “The Game For All Kids”
The US Soccer Development Academy was created to overcome inertia and raise the standard of play
in the boy’s youth soccer environment.
US Youth Soccer is no longer the main conduit for Boy’s Youth National Team or top Division I
college selections.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
US Youth Soccer values soccer as the “The Game For All Kids”
The Development Academy consists of 78 clubs.
The Development Academy has spawned an
independent USCS U-14 pre-Academy league that threatens to further minimize US Youth Soccer’s
connection to elite level players.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
US Youth Soccer values soccer as the “The Game For All Kids”
The ECNL now threatens to erode US Youth
Soccer’s role as the preferred soccer environment for elite level girl’s clubs and top Division I college
recruiting events.
On the international level, the dearth of top female American players is being exposed.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
US Youth Soccer values soccer as the “The Game for All Kids”
Requests for change have gone unanswered. Competition has now changed the landscape.
As a result, US Youth Soccer is in danger
of losing the
ENTIRE LEVEL of elite level players.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Defining The Elite Level
US Youth Soccer values soccer as the “The Game for All Kids”
Following formal membership approval at the Federation AGM in Las Vegas, US Club Soccer is
now actively marketing to entry-level soccer groups – primarily on the basis of Registration
simplicity and ease of process!
15 15
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League
Structure
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Competitive Triggers
Competing soccer organizations (USDA, ECNL, Y-League, USCS) have emerged for five reasons…
1. Poor Soccer Environment (USDA) 2. Prohibitive / Obsolete Rules (USCS) 3. Strategic College Marketing (ECNL) 4. Pace of / Ability to Change (All) 5. Failure to Compete / Gain Access to Events (ECNL)
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Competitive Triggers
Poor Soccer Environment (USDA)
Impact on NT Development Training to Games Ratio Volume of Games Quality of Games Style of Play Style of Player Style of Coaching Absence of Periodization
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Competitive Triggers
Prohibitive / Obsolete Rules (USCS)
No voice for Professional Coaches Required Paperwork / Petty Costs Constraining Rosters / Transfer Fees No Club Registration Multiple Carding State Association Borders Travel Permissions Phantom Insurance Restrictions Multiple Coaching Passes
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Competitive Triggers
Strategic College Marketing (ECNL) Youth Soccer = College Scholarships Control College Coaches = Player Monopoly Small = Exclusive / Growth = Achilles Heel
Parallel USDA Program Clubs vs Teams vs Competitive Quality
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Competitive Triggers
Pace of / Ability to Change (All) Professional Coaches Now Drive Youth Soccer
Change
Single Registration System Club Carding / Single Carding Substitution Rules Game Schedules ODP Identification / Selection Process
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Competitive Triggers
Failure to Compete / Gain Access to Events There are 66 ECNL Clubs; not all are “Elite.” Only 28 Clubs Play in Both USDA and ECNL. MLS - Girls: FC Dallas (ECNL), Crew and Fire.
ECNL Clubs ECNL & USDA “Elite” Clubs
Region I 18 7 ~11 (60%)
Region II 12 5 ~4 (30%)
Region III 14 9 ~7 (50%)
Region IV 22 7 ~16 (70%)
66 28 ~53%
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Vision
The following presentation outlines the views (in whole or part) of the US Youth Soccer National League
Committee, the US Youth Soccer Coaching Committee, and the 55 State Association Technical Directors.
The goal is to create a vertically integrated league
structure within US Youth Soccer that also addresses the realities and promise of elite level players.
Much Of This Structure Already Exists!
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
The Root of our Problems!
US Youth Soccer ECNL USDA
League Structures Independent Integrated Integrated
Player ID Structures Independent Integrated Integrated
“Showcase” Events Independent Integrated Integrated
National Championships Independent Integrated Integrated
Governance Structures Independent Integrated Integrated
Coaching Input Limited Integrated Semi-Integrated
Player Registration System Independent Integrated Integrated
Playing Rules Independent Integrated Integrated
Calendars and Events Independent Integrated Integrated
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
The National League Model
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National League Structure
Level (B & G)
Age Groups
Tiers Divisions Per Tier
Teams Per
Division
Games Per
Season
Season Duration
State Leagues
U-13 U-18
As Needed 1 4-12 3-11 3-11 Weeks
Regional Leagues
U-14 U-18
2-3 2-4 8-10 7-9 Variable
National League
U-15 U-17
1 4 8 7 Two Weekends (HS Season Issues)
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Regional Leagues National Landscape
Age Groups
Number Of
Tiers
Premier Divisions
Premier Division
Teams
Total Premier
Divisions Teams
Prom &
Rel.
Entry Points
Reg. Wild Card
Total 2nd Div. Teams
Total Teams 2010 / 2011
Region I Premier League
U-14 U-18
2 2 8 160 Yes NCS-RC RL
Yes 354 514
Region II Midwest Regional League
U-14 U-18
2 2 8-10 176 Yes NCS-SC NCS-RC
RL
Yes 569 745
Region III Premier League
U-14 U-18
1 3 10-12 319 Yes Yes 0 319
Region IV Far West Regional League
U-14 U-18
1 1 12-16 238 No Yes 0 238
893 923 1816
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
By Comparison
ECNL Clubs
USDA Clubs
USCS Members
US Youth Soccer Members
Region I 18 (27%) 24 (31%) 1,000,000
Region II 12 (18%) 14 (18%) 630,000
Region III 14 (21%) 23 (29%) 660,000
Region IV 22 (33%) 17 (22%) 670,000
66 78 150,000 2,960,000
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
State Leagues
National Landscape
Conservatively…
250 Teams per State
x 55 State Associations
~14,000 Teams
STATE LEAGUE
R-I R-II R-III R-IV Totals Connecticut Indiana Alabama Arizona
Maine Iowa Arkansas California-North New York-East Michigan Louisiana Colorado
Pennsylvania-West North Dakota Mississippi Montana West Virginia Ohio-North North Carolina Oregon
Wisconsin Oklahoma Utah Minnesota South Carolina Washington Tennessee Wyoming Texas-South Georgia
5 7 10 8 30
33% 50% 83% 57% 55%
NO STATE LEAGUE
R-I R-II R-III R-IV Totals Delaware Illinois Florida Alaska Maryland Kansas Texas-North California-South
Massachusetts Kentucky Hawaii New Hampshire Missouri Idaho
New Jersey Nebraska Nevada New York-West Ohio-South New Mexico
Pennsylvania- East South Dakota Rhode Island
Vermont Virginia
10 7 2 6 25
67% 50% 17% 43% 45%
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*Includes State Association Leagues and State Association Designated Leagues
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National League Potential?
Boys & Girls Boys & Girls Boys & Girls
4 Teams/State 6 Teams/State 8 Teams/State
U-13 (440) (660) (880) U-14 440 660 880 U-15 440 660 880
U-16 440 660 880
U-17 440 660 880
U-18 440 660 880
Totals 2200 3300 4400
Boys & Girls Boys & Girls
4 Teams/Region 8 Teams/Region
2 Divisions x 8 4 Divisions x 8
U-15 32 64
U-16 32 64
U-17 32 64
Totals 96 192
Regional Leagues National League
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National Championship Series Wild-Cards
The Wild Card Concept One Loss and Out / Back Door Qualification (4-team brackets)
Regional Leagues to Regional Championships National League to National Championship
Helped Kill Super-Y Has kept US Youth Soccer in the Elite level – For Now! Top Teams Need Opportunities to Advance
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National League Integration with National Championship Series
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National Championship Series Evolution
Year Competitions (Final Four)
1935 B-19
1976 B-16 + B-19
1980 G-19 + B-16 + B-19
1985 G-16 + B/G-16 + B-19
1991 B/G-17 + B/G-16 + B/G-19
1994 B/G-18 + B/G-16 + B/G-17 + B/G-19
2001 B/G-14 + B/G-15 + B/G-16 + B/G-17 + B/G-18 + B/G-19
2009 National League Wild Cards (2) for U-15 + U-16 + U-17
?? National League Wild Cards (4) for U-15 + U-16 + U-17
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National Championship Series Regional Wild-Cards
Wild Cards States Per Region
Regional League Premier Numbers
Region I 1 U-14 through U-18
Best Teams
15
16
Region II 2 U-14 through U-18
Best Teams
14
16-20
Region III 4 U-14 through U-18
Geographical Winners
12
30-36
Region IV 2 U-14 through U-18
Best Teams
14
34
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Stand-Alone National League Championship
35
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
National League Operating Principles
36
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Transparency
The most important consideration in the creation of a US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure is
qualification Transparency.
Admission by committee undermines the fundamental need for elite teams to compete on a level playing field.
To establish and maintain credibility, the qualification and
subsequent movement of teams between levels must be determined by Results on the field.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Promotion and Relegation
The US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure integrates state, regional and national levels,
based on performance.
Promotion and Relegation is the accepted international norm for the organization of soccer leagues at all levels.
38
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Player and Team Advancement
Pyramid structures naturally filter the better players towards the most competitive levels.
Pyramid structures naturally serve to ability-match teams.
Pyramid structures clearly differentiate playing
Performance from Marketing.
39
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Club Carding
Players Register to a Club, not a team.
The restrictive US Youth Soccer National Championship Series Roster Rules have been rendered obsolete by the
evolution of our youth soccer competitors. Examples…
National Inequities in Roster Formation Roster Inflexibility
No Provision for Injured Players No Provision for National Team Call-Ups
Cup-Tied Definition
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
NCS Roster Deadlines
Round Current Base Roster (+/- 5)
Suggested Roster Freeze
State Championship 1st League Game August / September?
April / May?
1st NCS-SC Game State-by-State
Regional Championship 1st League Game August / September?
April / May?
1st NCS-RC Game June
National Championship 1st League Game August / September?
April / May?
1st NCS-NC Game July
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Cup Tied
A player is cup-tied only..
Within an “age group” when playing for the same club within the NCS. When competing for another club within the NCS.
42
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Registration
The use of standard electronic processes (on-line registration, academy rostering, game rosters, tournament
rosters, player movement, marketing potential, ODP, coaching education, risk management, etc.,) must evolve to advance US Youth Soccer into the soccer-digital age.
A single National Registration System is essential.
Club Registration is essential.
Roster Flexibility is essential.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Roster Size
The maximum game roster is 18 players.
The eligible pool of players for any game or event is determined by the number of age-appropriate players
registered to the club.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Earned Status
Clubs qualify a team – not a roster - from season-to- season, or from year-to-year.
As a general operating practice, the national league’s
member clubs retain their earned status at any level until relegated or removed for disciplinary reasons.
This philosophy protects against player or team recruiting
and accommodates the realities of losing players to the Development Academy (eliminate 51% Rule).
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Substitution Rules
Until the national and regional level schedules provide for no more than one game per day and no more than three
games followed by a rest day, No Re-entry Per Half (NR/H) is the national standard for elite level competition.
NCS Regional League ODP Inter-Regionals
Region I NR/H NR/H FIFA-7
Region II NR/H NR/H ODP Regional Camp
Region III Unlimited Unlimited NR/H
Region IV NR/H NR/H
46
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
College Recruiting
Identification with college showcase events is a critical pressure for the top club teams.
Create Event(s)
Build a College Database Make Events Coach Friendly
Manage the Quality of the Competitions Manage the Quality of the Events
47
US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Showcase Event(s)
Fall (Thanksgiving) + National League Weekends
ODP Inter-Regional Event Boys and Girls
U14 / U15 / U16 / U17
National League Weekend
Regional League Showcase
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Coaching Education Standards
The quality of the coach is the most significant factor in the development trajectory of the aspiring soccer player.
Level Minimum Coaching Qualification
Projected Timeline
State Leagues D License 2012 / 2013 Season
Regional Leagues B License 2016 / 2017 Season
National League B License 2016 / 2017 Season
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Coaching Education Standards
Initial Qualification Established
Final Qualification Established
National League Yes (Available) No
Region I PL No No
Region II MRL Yes (89% / 50%) No
Region III PL No No
Region IV FWPL No No
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Governance and Administration
Professional Commissioner Regional Managers
Coaching Representation (Membership) Digital Support
One Set of Playing Rules
One Set of Administrative Rules
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
ODP Scouting Network
ODP is Primarily a National Team Identification Process.
ODP is Secondarily a Player Development Experience.
ODP is a Significant College Recruiting Program.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
ODP Scouting Network
The national league structure must integrate with state and regional and national ODP programs to identify players not competing in the US Soccer Development Academy (assuming boys and eventually girls) and
provide national and international experiences of value.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
ODP Funding
Geographically, incorporating more teams into the national league pyramid reduces travel costs, increases
local rivalries, and provides avenues for aspiring clubs to compete.
The upper tiers of the NL have the potential to
accommodate ~4000 teams and provide for more varied competition amongst clubs.
An ODP player surcharge is one solution to the rising cost
of funding Regional / National ODP.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Referees and Referee Development
The national league structure provides a natural opportunity to integrate referee training and development
programs at all levels.
The national league structure must enforce international standards for limited sideline coaching and strive to
eliminate player and referee abuse.
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
A Thought in Closing…
Mission Statement
US Youth Soccer is non-profit and educational organization whose mission is to foster the physical, mental and emotional growth and development of America's youth
through the sport of soccer at all levels of age and competition.
US Youth Soccer values soccer as the “The Game for All Kids”
We are in danger of becoming
“The Game for All but the Best Kids”
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US Youth Soccer Integrated National League Structure
Thank You For Your Interest In This Presentation.
Questions? Comments? Criticisms? Witticisms?
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