Coach's Guide to Canada Soccer U12 Soccer 2026

From the Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards:

• Maximum match length at U12: 70 minutes, as 2 x 35 minutes or 4 x 17.5 minutes (U13 is 80 minutes).
• Maximum match time per player per day: 120 minutes (U12-U13).
• Minimum rest between matches: the duration of one match, counted from the end of one match, including any additional time or penalty kicks, to the start of the next.
• Substitutions: unlimited, at any stoppage.

Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)

At U12-U13 the Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards list:

• Official: a referee.
• Sideline restarts: throw-in. Dribble-in and pass-in are permitted only up to U11.
• Offside: yes. Offside is Law 11 of the IFAB Laws of the Game and is implemented at U12.
• Retreat line: none.
• Match day format: festival or league format. League formats may be introduced from U10 but cannot include scores, standings or elimination or championship games.

Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)

From the Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards for U12-U13:

• Match day roster: ideal 14 players, maximum 18.
• Playing time: fair playing time for all; coaches should target a minimum of 50% of each match for every player, and players try all positions.
• Player-to-coach ratio: ideal 8:1, maximum 14:1.

Too few players on a roster raises the risk of fatigue, burnout and injury; too many means players spend too much time on the sidelines.

Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)

Not in league play. The Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards list "no scores or standings" for grassroots soccer, and say league formats cannot include scores, standings, or elimination or championship games.

In tournaments, scores and standings are "permitted but not preferred" at U12-U13. Tournaments at these ages may include elimination games, because players are limited in how many tournaments they can play each year, but festival-style (every team plays an equal number of games regardless of result) is preferred.

Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)

Not through tryouts. The Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards say:

• Teams cannot be formed using tryouts or similar evaluation events in grassroots soccer up to U13.
• Tiering of players and teams is not permitted before U10. Streaming (placing players with others of similar ability) can begin at U10, but placement cannot be done through a tryout process.
• Programs must support "open rosters", which allow players to move between teams on a regular and ongoing basis.
• There are no provincial/territorial or regional select teams before U14.

Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)

The Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards put U12-U13 in the Learn to Train stage. For that stage they set:

• Season or block length: 10 to 22 weeks, with at least 2 weeks between seasons or blocks.
• Practice-to-match ratio: 2:1 or 3:1.
• Structured practice length: 60 to 90 minutes.
• Match days per week: 1 (respecting the practice-to-match ratio).
• Tournaments ("memorable events"): 3 per season. Some flexibility is allowed at U12/U13, so tournaments may include elimination games, though festival-style is preferred.
• Team travel time: under 60 minutes each way.

Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)

Under the Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards, the minimum for a Grassroots Stream coach is:

1. Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen
2. NCCP Make Ethical Decisions module and/or online evaluation
3. Respect in Sport Activity Leader program
4. NCCP Making Headway (concussion) module
5. NCCP Emergency Action Planning module
6. NCCP Rule of Two module

At the Learn to Train stage (U12-U13) coaches also complete an online theory module and a practical workshop. The Community Stream minimum is a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen, the Canada Soccer Coaching Soccer in Canada online module and Respect in Sport Activity Leader. Member associations may increase these requirements.

The Canada Soccer Guide to Safety describes the Rule of Two as always having two screened and NCCP trained or certified coaches with an athlete, especially a minor, in a potentially vulnerable situation. One-on-one interaction must take place within earshot and view of the second coach, except in medical emergencies.

Sources: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf); Guide to Safety (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CanadaSoccer_Guide_Safety_EN.pdf)

Canada Soccer's Guide to Safety sets out a Return to Soccer strategy. Players may progress through the stages at different rates, and stages 2 to 4 should each take a minimum of 24 hours in adults and longer in those 18 and under.

• Stage 0 Rest, Stage 1 Symptom limited: no training; daily activities that do not provoke symptoms.
• Stage 2 Light exercise: walking, light jogging, swimming or stationary cycling; no soccer.
• Stage 3 Soccer-specific exercise: simple running drills; no head impact activities and no heading.
• Stage 4 Non-contact training: passing, change of direction, shooting, small-sided games; no head impact activities and no heading. Youth must be back at full-time school activities and have a repeat medical assessment first.
• Stage 5 Full contact practice: normal training, including tackling and heading.
• Stage 6 Game play.

If new or worsening symptoms appear, go back to the previous stage. A youth with recovery lasting more than 4 weeks should be assessed and managed by a medical doctor experienced in sport-related concussions.

Source: Canada Soccer Guide to Safety (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CanadaSoccer_Guide_Safety_EN.pdf)