Programs

Northwest Soccer Club supports soccer for area youth ranging in ages from 4 to 19, generally classified for competition as 5U ("5 and under") through 19U ("19 and under").


Find your child’s age group: View Birth Year Chart

For the purposes of competition, NWSC groups age levels 2 at a time in most cases:

  • Players classified as 5U and 6U play in our "6U" division

  • 7U and 8U = 8U

  • 9U and 10U = 10U

  • 11U and 12U = 12U

  • 13U and 14U = 14U

  • 15U and 16U = 16U

  • 17U, 18U and 19U = 19U

6U & 8U

NOTE: Starting with the Fall 2018 season, we returned to a traditional team-based program for 6U and 8U.

  • 4v4

  • Size 3 ball

  • No keeper

  • No heading


U6 Specific Rules

U8 Specific Rules


10U:

  • 7v7

  • Size 4 ball

  • Keeper (but keeper cannot punt the ball)

  • No heading

  • Offside is called

  • “Build-out line” of halfway line is used to encourage play out of the back


12U:

  • 9v9

  • Size 4 ball

  • Keeper

  • Offside is called

  • No heading if playing in an 11U game


14U, 16U & 19U:

  • 11v11 or 7v7 short sided game (as necessary to make viable teams)

  • Size 5 ball

  • Full FIFA rules (but allowing for unlimited substitutions)


Note: Starting with the 2017 spring season, ISA is sponsoring both separate 15U division and a "High School" division for spring seasons. Northwest will support these divisions as long as there are enough players for us to make viable teams.

Additional links for parents

Levels of play

Level 3 — Our recreational program

The foundation of NWSC is our recreational (Level 3) offering. Our rec program is meant to provide a quality soccer opportunity for Des Moines area youth that focuses on fun, teamwork and the development of the individual player. At this level, every child is afforded the chance to contribute and participate. It is the club policy that every child on a recreational team will play at least half the game (Note: this does not necessarily mean that playing time is equal for every child).


Level 2 — A step up

Level 2 programs are offered in order to promote a higher level of competition for those teams that are looking for a step up from a recreational program. A coach may request that their team be moved up to Level 2 and may form their own team by way of recruiting, invitations or tryouts provided there is no conflict with Iowa Soccer Association Constitution, Bylaws, Rules and Policies.


Level 1 — The best of the best

Level 1 soccer is the most competitive level of play sponsored by NWSC. Teams playing at Level 1 will find themselves competing against the very best in central Iowa. The same rules of team formation for Level 2 also apply to Level 1.

For more information from Iowa Soccer on levels of play, click here.