Which rules do U14 games use?

US Soccer's small-sided standards only cover U12 and younger (9v9 at U11-U12). Above that, games use the IFAB Laws of the Game, with whatever youth modifications your competition has adopted. The 2026-27 edition took effect on July 1, 2026, and US Soccer adopts each year's Law changes on July 1.

The Laws' defaults:

• 11 players a side, one of them the goalkeeper. A match can't start or continue with fewer than 7 on a team.
• Ball: circumference 68-70 cm (27-28 in), which is a size 5.
• Duration: two equal halves.

For youth soccer, the Laws allow the national association or competition to change:

• field size
• ball size, weight and material
• goal size
• the length of the two halves
• the number of players
• the number of substitutes, and whether players can re-enter (return substitutes)
• the use of temporary dismissals (sin bins) for some or all cautions

So the length of the halves and the substitution rules for your games come from your league or tournament.