Serving players from: Castle Rock • Castle Pines • Highland Ranch • Larkspur • Lone Tree • Monument • Parker • Colorado Springs • Elizabeth • Franktown
The 5U-8U Recreational League provides a fun, safe, and developmentally appropriate soccer environment for 4- to 8-year-olds. The 5U-8U Recreational program is designed to help players continue to grow in the sport of soccer by introducing them to formalized games on Saturdays. The specialized curriculum helps players grow in their technical skills and learn the rules of soccer at a developmentally appropriate level for their age. Players will receive a solid foundation of coaching needed to continue into the 9U-10U level and onward.
| Small-Sided Game Model | Goalkeeper | Team Size | Ball Size | Practices a Week | Games in a Season | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5U (2020 birth years) | 3v3 | No | 5-7 players | 3 | 1 | 7-8 |
| 6U (2019 birth years) | 3v3 | No | 5-7 players | 3 | 1 | 7-8 |
| 7U (2018 birth years) | 5v5 | Yes | 7-10 players | 3 | 2 | 7-8 |
| 8U (2017 birth years) | 5v5 | Yes | 7-10 players | 3 | 2 | 7-8 |
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, players, and members can interact, creating a living and growing classroom. By connecting the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) community online, RISE will open up new educational opportunities for players and coaches, offer a more rewarding CRYSC experience for members, and ultimately enhance the level and consistency of soccer being played across the Club.
The Rapids Way embodies everything we are and stand for as a soccer club. The Rapids Way is much more than just what we do and how we do it. The Club’s mission and vision shape a philosophy, methodology, and culture that provide a framework for us to work in these key areas.
The Rapids Way is defined by the experience each individual player has from the time they enter the Club to the time they graduate. Using the Whole-Part-Whole teaching model we are able to build a Long-Term Development Plan that drives each player’s experiences in the four key pillars of the game: technical, tactical, physical and psycho-social.
WPW is 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 will put players in realistic situations, that should always include decision-making elements.
We have a saying in the Club, “Prepare your child for the path, not the path for your child.” This is the Rapids Way.
The 5U-8U Recreational League provides a fun, safe, and developmentally appropriate soccer environment for 4- to 8-year-olds. The 5U-8U Recreational program is designed to help players continue to grow in the sport of soccer by introducing them to formalized games on Saturdays. The specialized curriculum helps players grow in their technical skills and learn the rules of soccer at a developmentally appropriate level for their age. Players will receive a solid foundation of coaching needed to continue into the 9U-10U level and onward.
| Small-Sided Game Model | Goalkeeper | Team Size | Ball Size | Practices a Week | Games in a Season | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5U (2020 birth years) | 3v3 | No | 5-7 players | 3 | 1 | 7-8 |
| 6U (2019 birth years) | 3v3 | No | 5-7 players | 3 | 1 | 7-8 |
| 7U (2018 birth years) | 5v5 | Yes | 7-10 players | 3 | 2 | 7-8 |
| 8U (2017 birth years) | 5v5 | Yes | 7-10 players | 3 | 2 | 7-8 |
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, players, and members can interact, creating a living and growing classroom. By connecting the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club (CRYSC) community online, RISE will open up new educational opportunities for players and coaches, offer a more rewarding CRYSC experience for members, and ultimately enhance the level and consistency of soccer being played across the Club.
The Rapids Way embodies everything we are and stand for as a soccer club. The Rapids Way is much more than just what we do and how we do it. The Club’s mission and vision shape a philosophy, methodology, and culture that provide a framework for us to work in these key areas.
The Rapids Way is defined by the experience each individual player has from the time they enter the Club to the time they graduate. Using the Whole-Part-Whole teaching model we are able to build a Long-Term Development Plan that drives each player’s experiences in the four key pillars of the game: technical, tactical, physical and psycho-social.
WPW is 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 will put players in realistic situations, that should always include decision-making elements.
We have a saying in the Club, “Prepare your child for the path, not the path for your child.” This is the Rapids Way.
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.
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.
Every team is required to provide a game facilitator for half of every game. The game facilitator will act as the referee for the game, and should referee in a way to help the players learn and understand the rules.
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.
Every team is required to provide a game facilitator for half of every game. The game facilitator will act as the referee for the game, and should referee in a way to help the players learn and understand the rules.
The 5U-8U recreational league is the first time players will begin having practices during the week and games on the weekend. Rapids Youth Soccer posts all our game schedules on PlayMetrics two weeks before the first scheduled game. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to your PlayMetrics account.
It’s important for parents to understand what is available to their child during their time in the 5U-8U program including any supplemental programs and what to expect as players move into the 9U league.
⚽ @coloradorapids & @toyotausa rolled up to our rec games at Central Park to give away a Tundra truck full of CRYSC + Toyota balls generously donated by Your Front Range Toyota Stores! Shout out to Rapids legend @drewmoor03 & #RapidMan for helping us distribute 250+ balls to our Rapids Youth Soccer community!! #RecSoccer
⚽️🇺🇸⚽️ @ussoccer Talent ID Center Roster Announcement! CONGRATS to the 🔟 #CRYSCElite 07/08/09/10G players who have been selected to attend the ID center on May 1 at @coloradoschoolofmines!
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCgirlsECNL
🚨 CRYSC x @dp_league 🚨
We’re excited to announce the addition of the Development Player League (DPL) to our Castle Rock region girls player pathway!! Starting this fall, 13U-19U girls players will be eligible to join a DPL team competing in the Mountain West Open Division!
READ MORE: cry.sc/DPL
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCElite #CRYSCDPL
🚨 CRYSC x @nationalpremierleagues 🚨
We’re excited to reveal that the Rapids Central region will be the new home for National Premier Leagues (NPL) 12U-19U girls elite programming starting this fall!! The Rapids Fort Collins region will also gain 2 NPL boys & 2 NPL girls teams in 2024!
READ MORE: cry.sc/NPL-24
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCElite #CRYSCNPL
🔥👏🔥 TEXAS BOUND! CONGRATS & GOOD LUCK to Cole Wearner (07B ECNL) playing Friday in the @ecnlboys TX event Ntl. Selection Game! 💪
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCBoysECNL #CRYSCElite
🧹⚽️🧹CLEAN SWEEP!! Shout out to our #CRYSCBoysECNLRL 11B-05/06B teams for going undefeated against B-Elite with 6️⃣ wins last weekend!
#HeartBehindTheCrest
#OneClubOneCommunity
#CRYSCBoysECNL
#CRYSCElite
@ecnlboys
🚨 CRYSC x @eliteacademyleague 🚨
We’re excited to announce the addition of the Elite Academy League (EAL) to our Castle Rock region boys player pathway!! Starting this fall, 13U-19U boys players will be eligible to join an EAL team competing in the Southwest Desert Conference!
READ MORE: cry.sc/EAL
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCElite #CRYSCEAL
🏃♀️🇺🇸🏋🏻♀️ USA! USA! CRYSC Next Wave hosted its first @uswnt Watch Party this past weekend at @alphacharlies! A big shout out to the 85+ players, parents, & coaches who came together to watch a USA victory against Japan in the SheBelieves Cup!
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCNextWave #SheBelieves
8U-10U Rising Rapids
Rising Rapids is for players that have outgrow their normal soccer environment. This program is designed for self-motivated players who love the game and want more soccer!
9U-10U Recreational
After our 5U-8U leagues, players move into the 9U-10U recreational league, where they'll have designated practice and games. Get more info now.
Soccer Camps
Rapids Youth Soccer offers a variety of camps to help players continue their growth and development year-round. Check out the full Camps page to see how your player can continue to play after their last game!
Recreational Home
Curious about what other programming takes place in CRYSC's recreational programming? Check out the Rec Home page for more information across different age groups.
Yes, uniforms are required for players to play. Our vendor is Soccer.com, click here to be brought to the recreational order page. Do NOT select a team, simply scroll to “Collection” and select “Rec Kit.” You can click on the item picture for youth sizing with dimensions to ensure the right fit for your child.
Players need shin guards, socks, and cleats, a size 3 soccer ball, water, and weather appropriate clothing.
Absolutely, we hope players are able to play with their friends as long as they were born in the same year. Please request this when registering your child for soccer. We’ll do our best to make it happen.
Yes, you can do this when registering. We’ll do our best to make it happen.
The Fall season is from August – November and the Spring season is from March – May.
We offer camps in the Summer (June – July) and Winter (November – February) as well.
For the Recreational Program, practice days, times, and locations are determined by the Parent Volunteer Coach. Practices are held at local Castle Rock parks.
Games will be played on Saturdays and Sundays (as needed) and games will be played at local Castle Rock parks for 5U-7U. 8U will also play in Aurora and South Denver. Game times will vary each weekend with games starting as early as 9:00am or as late as 4:00pm.
Simply put, the more touches on the ball a player gets, the better the player skill set becomes. In a 3v3 environment, with 6 players on the field, players get more opportunities to touch the ball than if they played 11v11, with 22 players on the field. Additionally, soccer is a game of triangles. Having small-sided games at the younger ages not only increases their skill level but also allows the player to see the field. The player is able to conceptualize time and space with the support of a triangle formation. We slowly progress to 5v5, 7v7, and 9v9 for the same reasons.
Research has shown that having each team attack two goals and defend two goals increases players’ opportunities to score and positively impacts their decision-making. All this elevates game enjoyment. Having an extra goal per team will not only help players score more often, but it can also help prevent ‘clogging up’ in the middle of the field. With two additional goals introduced, it is important to be patient as the players learn the new game format.
Makeup games due to weather cancellations will automatically be rescheduled for the following Sunday (8 days later); however, coaches may coordinate another date for make up games.
For our current field conditions and weather policies, please visit our Weather Policy page.
