Soccer Start is a Whole Child Development program introduction to soccer for 3 to 5 year old players. This innovative program focuses on physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development through fun, creative, and imaginative programming. Our staff and volunteer coaches are taught formative systems to engage children of different stages to captivate attention and understanding. The program’s curriculum is designed to build a foundation for developing players to improve their physical literacy skills, technical soccer skills, and instill a love of soccer and being active.

Players are placed in small groups with a staff coach and parent volunteer leading the group’s session every week. Sessions will last 50 minutes. Groups will remain the same throughout the season unless players need a different environment to develop throughout the season.

Results of the program should demonstrate growth and development of players socially and physically with a solid foundation of soccer skills to move on to a more structured recreational soccer program in our 6U – 8U programs.

Programming September – October

Team Rosters Released: Week of August 31st

Late Fee Starts: August 31, 2020

Deadline to Register: September 8, 2020

Start Date: Programs will begin Tuesday, Sept 8th (Labor Day is Sept 7th)

See the full fall schedule

Parents choose one day and time when registering. Players will then attend the same day and time during the entire six-week season.

Coming Soon

Parents choose one day and time when registering. Players will then attend the same day and time during the entire six-week season.

In addition to our technical soccer curriculum and teaching philosophy, we aim to represent The Rapids Way in all our programming. The Rapids Way is much more than just what we do and how we do it. It encompasses who we are as a Club, from how we handle our administrative details to how coaches instruct players in training to how our players and families conduct themselves on and off the field. 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 player has from the time they enter the Club to the time they graduate.  From a technical perspective, we focus on establishing an individual foundation before teaching group actions and tactics. This includes the WPW philosophy and long-term development planning. The technical, tactical, physical, and psycho-social pieces of our soccer curriculum come together in the form of a distinct style of play, consistent from our most inexperienced levels to our elite levels in the Club.

The culture we create provides a system of support for all of our young players. We take pride in the professionalism exhibited by our coaching staff, from the way they teach to their demeanor and appearance at sessions and games. Our parents are well informed and respectful on the sidelines, during both games and practices, which in turn creates a fun, safe and enjoyable atmosphere for our players to develop. This is captured in our free-flowing and positive thinking style of play.

We have a saying in the Club, “Prepare your child for the path, not the path for your child.” This is the Rapids Way.

Coaching in the Soccer Start program provides a proper introduction to volunteer coaching through appropriate educational support with on- and off-field education to prepare all coaches for a fun and rewarding session and season.

All teams will be led by a parent volunteer coach with a provided Rapids curriculum. There will also be a knowledgeable site director and staff coach at each location to support and assist for the season. Rapids staff provides all curriculum, equipment, and communication necessary for the season.

All parent volunteer coaches must complete a background check with the Colorado State Association and read through our volunteer handbook before the first session of the season.

If you are interested in being a volunteer coach, check out this list to see what is expected of you throughout the season.

Rapids Youth Soccer provides all volunteer coaches the resources they need to be successful on and off the field with players. Coaching this age can be so rewarding and the start to a long-term volunteer role as a youth soccer coach for your child’s team.

Sessions plans will be available to all coaches on a weekly basis outlining exactly what to do, how to do it, and how to communicate it effectively.

The Rapids Youth Soccer professional staff will be on site and integrated with every team to make sure all volunteer coaches are set up for success and supported in their role.

All players will be provided a T-shirt at the first session, and should wear that T-shirt for every session. This t-shirt will help distinguish the players team each week.

Players should wear shin guards, socks, and athletic cloths that are appropriate for the weather at the time of the session. We recommend that players also wear cleats to every session because they provide more secure footing for players as they are learning the game. However, cleats are not required to participate in the program.

All players should bring a water bottle and soccer ball to every session.