The youth teams play according to the category they belong to, through game times, field sizes and variable doors.
The youth categories can be divided into first kicks, chicks, rookies, very young, students, juniors and spring.
The definition of the different categories and the different regulations according to age groups is a consequence of the different needs of the boys and of the different purposes on the part of the athletic trainer. In this regard, the stages of football learning are defined, to give the possibility of organizing a project of growth that is as rational as possible for the student.
The category " first kicks or small friends " is reserved for children from six to eight years of age. The games are played on small fields (35 x 25 meters), with age-appropriate doors. The balls must be lighter than those used by adults and the number of players per team must not exceed five units. The playing times can be 2 from 15 minutes, or three from 10 minutes each, in which all children must play to give everyone the chance to touch the ball several times throughout the game, thus making the kids participate more to the game.
The " chicks " category is reserved for children between the ages of eight and ten. The races are played between seven players on a reduced pitch, with 4 x 2 meter doors and balls identified with the number 4. The game is divided into three 15-minute times and all children must play a mandatory time.
The " beginners " category is reserved for children aged between ten and twelve. The playing field should be slightly reduced in size compared to adults and the players must be eleven per team. The ball remains the number 4 and the playing times are three of 18 minutes each.
In this category, teams can be made up of male or female players only.
The " very young " category is reserved for children between the ages of twelve and fourteen. It is played on a field of normal size and with the ball number 5. The times of the game are two of 30 minutes each and substitutions can be made by all the components of the bench, without limits. Once out of the field, the player can no longer re-enter until the end of the race.
In the very young category, girls can play only with the permission of the competent Youth and School Sector. From the higher categories, the girls play leagues and tournaments reserved for them, with different age limits compared to the men's youth sector.
The federation draws up the rankings of the championships, with the possibility of possible "promotions" or "retrocessions" for the company: the category can be provincial, regional or national.
The " pupils " category is reserved for children between the ages of fourteen and sixteen. The playing times are 35 or 40 minutes, depending on the championship: provincial, regional or national.
The " junior " or "beretti" category (only professional teams can participate in the Beretti championship) is reserved for children up to the age of eighteen. The times are 45 minutes each and the number of substitutions is three players throughout the game.
The last team of the youth sector is the " spring ", where the age limit is twenty years, but a player from the first team (out of quota) who must recover from injuries or regain the race pace can also participate.
Edited by: Lorenzo Boscariol
