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
4v4
Size 3 ball
No keeper
No heading
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.