For parents of children aged U6 to U9 playing grassroots soccer in Canada, under Canada Soccer's Grassroots Standards (mandatory from the 2026 season). Covers game formats, scores and standings, playing time, match length, coaches and safety, heading and how teams are formed.
Canada Soccer's Grassroots Standards group these ages in two stages (Fundamentals):
Younger players (U4-U6) in the Active Start stage play informal games. Smaller formats give each child more touches on the ball. The standards say they become mandatory for all member organizations (clubs, academies, districts/regions, leagues) in Canada in advance of the 2026 playing season; a member organization that cannot meet them can apply to its Provincial/Territorial Member Association for a special dispensation.
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:
| U6-U7 | U8-U9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Field width | 18 to 22 m | 25 to 30 m |
| Field length | 25 to 30 m | 30 to 36 m |
| Goals | Pop-up goals, maximum 4 ft x 6 ft (1.22 m x 1.83 m) | Ideal 5 ft x 8 ft (1.52 m x 2.43 m); minimum 4 ft x 6 ft; maximum 6 ft x 12 ft (1.83 m x 3.65 m) |
| Ball | Size 3 | Size 3 or 4 |
Because fields are not always under a soccer organization's control, the standards give a range for each format.
Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)
No. The Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards say there are no scores or standings in grassroots soccer at U6-U9. Canada Soccer endorses removing them to shift the focus from results to development and the participant experience.
At tournaments ("memorable events"), U11 and younger cannot include elimination games (such as semi-finals and finals). They are played festival-style, with every team playing an equal number of games regardless of result.
Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)
Fair playing time is required. The Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards say coaches should target a minimum of 50% playing time for each player in a match, and players should try all positions.
At U7, where the match day roster allows more players, a child may play less than 50% of a match, but all players should still play as close to equal time as possible.
Match day rosters: U6-U7 ideal 6 players, maximum 9; U8-U9 ideal 8 to 10 players, maximum 12 (depending on game format).
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:
| U6-U7 | U8-U9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum match length | 30 minutes (2 x 15, or 4 x 7.5) | 40 minutes (2 x 20, or 4 x 10) |
| Maximum match time per player per day | 60 minutes | 80 minutes |
The minimum rest between matches is the duration of one match. Rest time is counted from the end of one match, including any additional time or penalty kicks, to the start of the next.
Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)
Per the Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards:
Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)
No tryouts. The Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards say teams cannot be formed using tryouts or similar evaluation events in grassroots soccer up to U13.
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:
Coaches at the Fundamentals stage (U6-U9) also complete an online theory module and a practical workshop. A Community Stream coach needs a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen, the Canada Soccer Coaching Soccer in Canada online module and Respect in Sport Activity Leader. Provincial and territorial associations may require more.
Player-to-coach ratios: U6-U7 ideal 6:1, maximum 9:1; U8-U9 ideal 8:1, maximum 10:1.
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.
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)
Not at these ages. Canada Soccer's Heading Guidelines (updated May 2025) say heading should not be introduced in training sessions at the youngest ages, and for U6-U7 (3v3) and U8-U9 (5v5) the focus should be on fun activities and game formats that build fundamental movement skills and learning to master the ball at the feet.
In games, small-sided formats and adapted rules (a retreat line, and dribble-in and pass-in instead of throw-ins) are used to reduce how often the ball is in the air.
Coaches in the Grassroots stream must also complete the free NCCP Making Headway concussion module.
Source: Canada Soccer Heading Guidelines (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2025-CS-HeadingGuidelines-EN.pdf)
Canada Soccer's Grassroots Standards say:
| U6-U7 | U8-U9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Season or block length | 6 to 16 weeks | 6 to 22 weeks |
| Practice-to-match ratio | 1:1 or 2:1 | 2:1 or 3:1 |
| Structured practice length | 30 to 60 minutes | 45 to 75 minutes |
| Match days per week | 1 | 1 |
| Tournaments ("memorable events") | N/A | 2 per season |
There should be at least 2 weeks between seasons or blocks so children can rest or try other sports.
Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)
Canada Soccer's Grassroots Standards set team travel time at under 60 minutes each way for U6 to U9. Travel time is time children cannot spend playing, so the standard asks for it to be limited as much as possible.
Where geography makes this impossible, a club can apply for a special dispensation through its Provincial/Territorial Member Association.
Source: Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards (https://canadasoccer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026-CS-GrassrootsStandards-EN_final91.pdf)