CRYSC 11U-19U programming continues to build upon the technical foundation started in the 4U-10U programs and builds on the Colorado Rapids curriculum. Program offerings provide recreational options for all ages 11U through 19U.

Trainings are held at convenient, centralized, community locations in the Denver and Aurora metro areas. The game format is played in a 9v9 format from 11U-14U, though 13U-14U plays on a larger field. Team sizes of 12-15 players ensure plenty of game time to apply the skills and techniques that are presented in the twice-weekly curriculum-based training.

11U-14U teams participate in our Rapids Interbranch League. All games are held on Saturdays unless there is need for a makeup that can fall on a Sunday or during the week. Home games are based out of Castle Rock Parks with away games across our South, Central and North regions. All schedules are communicated to the Volunteer Parent Coaches and Team Managers who load them into PlayMetrics. Please refer to your PlayMetrics app for a calendar.

15U+ Rec Plus Rapids teams participate in the Front Range League with the Colorado Soccer Association. All games are held on Saturdays unless there is a need for a makeup that can fall on a Sunday or during the week. Home games are based out of Castle Rock, with away games across the Front Range depending on the opposing team’s home location. All schedules are communicated to the Volunteer Parent Coaches and Team Managers, who load them into PlayMetrics. Please refer to your PlayMetrics app for a calendar.

 

11U-14U Recreational11U-19U Rec+ Training
Player AttributesChild enjoys soccer, especially for the fun and social atmosphere but needs motivating to practice at home.Child loves soccer and practices at home when prompted. Child gets excited about practice and skill development.
Season8-9 week-long seasons8-9 week-long seasons
CoachingParent volunteer coachParent volunteer coach and staff training coach
League Play11U-14U: Rapids Interbranch League
11U-14U: Rapids Interbranch League
15U and older: CSA Front Range League
Playing Format9v99v9
Team Size12-15 players12-15 players
RISE (Rapids Integrated System of Excellence) is a one-of-a-kind youth soccer development platform that houses our club’s curriculum. RISE provides an online space where coaches can explore content, develop an understanding for the clubs coaching ‘language’ and create their own sessions. As the club continues to update and add new drills and practices, RISE will open up new educational opportunities for coaches, offer a more rewarding CRYSC experience for members, and ultimately enhance the level and consistency of soccer being played across the Club.

The Whole-Part-Whole (WPW) philosophy is a learning model used by the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club to train age-appropriate curriculum aimed at the long-term development of a soccer player. The WPW philosophy was first outlined by Malcolm Knowles in 1973 and is used in many learning situations, both practical and theory based. When added to a well-planned and well-thought out pedagogy, the WPW philosophy will put players in realistic situations, that should always includes decision-making elements.

When coaching soccer, this can be used in a variety of ways to break down a technique, skill, or tactic. Most commonly the players are taken from a practice with high game context to a low one, before returning back to the original practice. When possible it is best to practice the game, or elements of the game, in their entirety. An example of this could occur in a topic such as ‘Defending in the Direct Game Channel’. What do you do if the individuals or units in your squad don’t understand how to defend 1v1 or 2v2? You break it down.

‘Whole’ doesn’t necessarily mean a game. Actually in this theory, a ‘whole’ practice could be a series of complex skills that can be broken down into more discrete skills. The ‘whole’ element should be as realistic to the game as possible, then the coach looks to pull actions or components of the game and break them down into chunks so the players can understand and digest the information. The coach will then pull those elements back together into the game situation.

References: Swanson, R.A. & Law, B. (1993). Whole-part-whole learning model. Performance Improvement Quarterly. 6(1), pp 43-53.

@coachdanwright. Coachdanwright.blogspot.co.uk

  • Registration Opens – May 1
  • Registration Deadline – When teams are full
  • Registration Late Fee – August 1
  • Training Starts – Last Week of August
  • First Game Kicks Off – Saturday After Labor Day
  • Registration Opens – November 1
  • Registration Closes – When Teams are full
  • Registration Late Fee – February 6
  • Training Starts – Week of March 11
  • 15U-19U First Game Kicks Off – March 23
  • 11U-13U First Game Kicks Off – March 30
Alex Martinez10U-19U Recreation & Camps Director - Castle Rock[email protected]719.387.1326
Jennifer  GarceauRecreational Administrator - Castle Rock[email protected]303.578.2758

Scholarship opportunities are available for all qualifying Rapids players in both our Recreational and Competitive league programs. Check out our Scholarships page to learn more about the process and to apply for financial aid. There, you can view specific recreational scholarship information and deadlines under the ‘Recreational Application Process’ tab.

It is critical to apply by the deadlines listed on the scholarship page for players to be fully considered for a financial aid package. 

Overview

CRYSC 11U-19U programming continues to build upon the technical foundation started in the 4U-10U programs and builds on the Colorado Rapids curriculum. Program offerings provide recreational options for all ages 11U through 19U.

Trainings are held at convenient, centralized, community locations in the Denver and Aurora metro areas. The game format is played in a 9v9 format from 11U-14U, though 13U-14U plays on a larger field. Team sizes of 12-15 players ensure plenty of game time to apply the skills and techniques that are presented in the twice-weekly curriculum-based training.

11U-14U teams participate in our Rapids Interbranch League. All games are held on Saturdays unless there is need for a makeup that can fall on a Sunday or during the week. Home games are based out of Castle Rock Parks with away games across our South, Central and North regions. All schedules are communicated to the Volunteer Parent Coaches and Team Managers who load them into PlayMetrics. Please refer to your PlayMetrics app for a calendar.

15U+ Rec Plus Rapids teams participate in the Front Range League with the Colorado Soccer Association. All games are held on Saturdays unless there is a need for a makeup that can fall on a Sunday or during the week. Home games are based out of Castle Rock, with away games across the Front Range depending on the opposing team’s home location. All schedules are communicated to the Volunteer Parent Coaches and Team Managers, who load them into PlayMetrics. Please refer to your PlayMetrics app for a calendar.

 

11U-14U Recreational11U-19U Rec+ Training
Player AttributesChild enjoys soccer, especially for the fun and social atmosphere but needs motivating to practice at home.Child loves soccer and practices at home when prompted. Child gets excited about practice and skill development.
Season8-9 week-long seasons8-9 week-long seasons
CoachingParent volunteer coachParent volunteer coach and staff training coach
League Play11U-14U: Rapids Interbranch League
11U-14U: Rapids Interbranch League
15U and older: CSA Front Range League
Playing Format9v99v9
Team Size12-15 players12-15 players
Curriculum
RISE (Rapids Integrated System of Excellence) is a one-of-a-kind youth soccer development platform that houses our club’s curriculum. RISE provides an online space where coaches can explore content, develop an understanding for the clubs coaching ‘language’ and create their own sessions. As the club continues to update and add new drills and practices, RISE will open up new educational opportunities for coaches, offer a more rewarding CRYSC experience for members, and ultimately enhance the level and consistency of soccer being played across the Club.

Philosophy

The Whole-Part-Whole (WPW) philosophy is a learning model used by the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club to train age-appropriate curriculum aimed at the long-term development of a soccer player. The WPW philosophy was first outlined by Malcolm Knowles in 1973 and is used in many learning situations, both practical and theory based. When added to a well-planned and well-thought out pedagogy, the WPW philosophy will put players in realistic situations, that should always includes decision-making elements.

When coaching soccer, this can be used in a variety of ways to break down a technique, skill, or tactic. Most commonly the players are taken from a practice with high game context to a low one, before returning back to the original practice. When possible it is best to practice the game, or elements of the game, in their entirety. An example of this could occur in a topic such as ‘Defending in the Direct Game Channel’. What do you do if the individuals or units in your squad don’t understand how to defend 1v1 or 2v2? You break it down.

‘Whole’ doesn’t necessarily mean a game. Actually in this theory, a ‘whole’ practice could be a series of complex skills that can be broken down into more discrete skills. The ‘whole’ element should be as realistic to the game as possible, then the coach looks to pull actions or components of the game and break them down into chunks so the players can understand and digest the information. The coach will then pull those elements back together into the game situation.

References: Swanson, R.A. & Law, B. (1993). Whole-part-whole learning model. Performance Improvement Quarterly. 6(1), pp 43-53.

@coachdanwright. Coachdanwright.blogspot.co.uk

Fall Dates
  • Registration Opens – May 1
  • Registration Deadline – When teams are full
  • Registration Late Fee – August 1
  • Training Starts – Last Week of August
  • First Game Kicks Off – Saturday After Labor Day
Spring Dates
  • Registration Opens – November 1
  • Registration Closes – When Teams are full
  • Registration Late Fee – February 6
  • Training Starts – Week of March 11
  • 15U-19U First Game Kicks Off – March 23
  • 11U-13U First Game Kicks Off – March 30
Contact
Alex Martinez10U-19U Recreation & Camps Director - Castle Rock[email protected]719.387.1326
Jennifer  GarceauRecreational Administrator - Castle Rock[email protected]303.578.2758
Scholarships

Scholarship opportunities are available for all qualifying Rapids players in both our Recreational and Competitive league programs. Check out our Scholarships page to learn more about the process and to apply for financial aid. There, you can view specific recreational scholarship information and deadlines under the ‘Recreational Application Process’ tab.

It is critical to apply by the deadlines listed on the scholarship page for players to be fully considered for a financial aid package. 

Castle Rock 11U-14U Recreational

Age Groups: 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U
Levels: Beginner, Intermediate
Seasons: Spring, Fall
$285Per Season
  • 8-9 Week Season
  • 7-8 Games
  • Practice 2x per Week
  • Convenient Local Practices/Games
  • Volunteer Parent Coaches
  • Recreational Uniform Kit Separate
  • Team Formed by Registration

Castle Rock 11U-19U Rec Plus

Age Groups: 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, 18U, 19U
Levels: Beginner, Intermediate
Seasons: Spring, Fall
$395Per Season
  • 8-9 Week Season
  • 7-8 Games
  • Practice 2x per Week
  • Convenient Local Practices/Games
  • Staff & Volunteer Parent Coaches
  • Recreational Uniform Kit Separate
  • Team Formed by Registration
First Spring Games Kickoff In…
00
months
01
weeks
04
days
05
hours
23
minutes
30
seconds

Uniforms

Rapids Youth Soccer partners with Soccer.com for all uniform needs. All CRYSC recreational players are required to purchase the uniform kit (white top, burgundy top, black shorts, and black socks) before the first game. We recommend ordering at least three weeks prior to their first game to ensure they have it in time for game day. Players are required to wear the official CRYSC jersey combo for games. This uniform kit is usable throughout all recreational programs.

It is important to note that uniforms are NOT included in registration costs. Additionally, uniforms are unavailable to purchase on-site at any CRYSC office – they must be purchased online via Soccer.com.

Rapids Youth Soccer =

Every team is required to provide a volunteer coach to coach the team throughout the season. The volunteer coach is almost always a parent of a player on the team.

The coach will be provided with a curriculum from our staff for every session, and will be provided with other training opportunities throughout the season. Our staff will help support every coach throughout the season, so even if coaches have never played soccer before, we can help you have a successful season. We recommend that each team has a coach and an assistant coach at this age to help players stay engaged throughout every session.

Coach Expectations

  • Lead every practice session of find a substitute if they cannot be present.
  • Coach every game of find a substitute if they cannot be at the game.
  • Find a practice location and time that works for them and their team.
  • Communicate clearly with the team throughout the season.

Coach Education Opportunities

  • Rapids Youth provides coaching sessions for all coaches throughout the season.
  • A website with additional coaches resources available to all coaches.
  • One-on-one support to talk through drills and game setup.
  • Pre-season meetings and coaching educational meetings.

Team managers are a very important piece to the success of any youth soccer team. In order to take some of the responsibilities off of the coach’s plate, teams are requested to have a team manager volunteer to organize the team for the season.

Team Manager Responsibilities

  • Working with the coach to communicate with the team about sessions and games.
  • Setting up a snack rotation for the season.
  • Setting up pictures with the club’s photographer on picture day.
  • Setting up an end-of-season party for the team.

Club Support for Team Managers

  • One-on-one support if you have any questions or concerns.
  • Educational opportunities at meetings and in person about next steps for the team.
  • An administrative staff to provide any support you need.
Coach Volunteer

Every team is required to provide a volunteer coach to coach the team throughout the season. The volunteer coach is almost always a parent of a player on the team.

The coach will be provided with a curriculum from our staff for every session, and will be provided with other training opportunities throughout the season. Our staff will help support every coach throughout the season, so even if coaches have never played soccer before, we can help you have a successful season. We recommend that each team has a coach and an assistant coach at this age to help players stay engaged throughout every session.

Coach Expectations

  • Lead every practice session of find a substitute if they cannot be present.
  • Coach every game of find a substitute if they cannot be at the game.
  • Find a practice location and time that works for them and their team.
  • Communicate clearly with the team throughout the season.

Coach Education Opportunities

  • Rapids Youth provides coaching sessions for all coaches throughout the season.
  • A website with additional coaches resources available to all coaches.
  • One-on-one support to talk through drills and game setup.
  • Pre-season meetings and coaching educational meetings.
Team Manager Volunteer

Team managers are a very important piece to the success of any youth soccer team. In order to take some of the responsibilities off of the coach’s plate, teams are requested to have a team manager volunteer to organize the team for the season.

Team Manager Responsibilities

  • Working with the coach to communicate with the team about sessions and games.
  • Setting up a snack rotation for the season.
  • Setting up pictures with the club’s photographer on picture day.
  • Setting up an end-of-season party for the team.

Club Support for Team Managers

  • One-on-one support if you have any questions or concerns.
  • Educational opportunities at meetings and in person about next steps for the team.
  • An administrative staff to provide any support you need.

Volunteers

Parent-volunteer forms are collected mid-season and at the end of each season.

Staff

Staff-coach forms are submitted at the end of all staff-led programs.

Field Coordinators

Forms are submitted weekly to the program DOC.

Kick-Arounds

Kick-rounds are held four times each season on Sundays.

In-House Events

Seasonal in-house events are used to evaluate, such as the community cup, festivals, and Soccerfest.

Tryouts

Tryouts are held in late May, early June every year.

Preparing for Tryouts

Players participating in the 11U – 18U recreational league that are interested in joining the Competitive program at Rapids Youth Soccer should reach out to the staff to indicate an interest in joining the competitive program.

Rapids Youth Soccer puts a lot of focus on the ongoing evaluation process, meaning staff would like to see players throughout the entire year to gauge their development level to properly assist in placing the player into the Competitive program.

  • Parent-Volunteers | Parent-volunteer notes are collected throughout the season.
  • Staff-Coaches | Staff-coach forms are submitted at the end of all staff-led programs.
  • Field Coordinators | Field Coordinator forms are submitted weekly to the program DOC.
  • Tournaments | Many recreational teams participate in tournaments where staff are able to observe them.
  • Tryouts | Tryouts are held in late May, early June every year and are the final piece to the Player Placement process.

Helpful Links: What’s Next For Your Player

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11U+ COMPETITIVE

11U-19U recreational players can move into the 11U+ Competitive Programs even after tryouts. Get more information on CRYSC Competitive teams here.

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SOCCER CAMPS

Rapids Youth Soccer offers a variety of camps to help players continue their development year-round. Check out the full Camps page to see how your player can continue to play after their last game!

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CLUB NEWS

Check out our blogs about sports medicine, sport psychology, Player of the Month, international trips, and so much more!

There are many differences between Competitive and Rec soccer. One of the biggest factors is the level of commitment. Many Competitive players are devoted mainly to the sport of soccer and enjoy the competitiveness of the atmosphere. Additionally, Competitive teams are coached by professional coaches hired and managed by the Rapids staff. Competitive teams also train more often than recreational teams.

All players will need to purchase a uniform prior to the first game if they do not have one already. Our vendor is Soccer.com, click here to be brought the recreational order page.

Yes you can.  We do not guarantee that we can meet all requests, but we will do our best to accommodate them.

The Fall season is from August-November and the Spring season runs from March-May.