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. 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.
- Teams are coached by parent volunteer coaches with the guidance and help of the club’s Director
- Practices and Games are held at a centralized location in the region
| Small-Sided Game Model | Goalkeeper | Team Size | Ball Size | Practices a Week | Game Days | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5U (2019 birth years) | 3v3 | No | 5-7 players | 3 | 1 | Tuesdays |
| 6U (2018 birth years) | 3v3 | No | 5-7 players | 3 | 1 | Tuesdays |
| 7U (2017 birth years) | 4v4 | No | 7-8 players | 3 | 1 | Fridays |
| 8U (2016 birth years) | 5v5 | Yes | 7-10 players | 3 | 2 | Fridays |
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
- Fall Registration Opens: May 1, 2023
- Fall Registration Closes: August 14, 2023
- Fall Registration Late Begins: August 15, 2023
Fall Schedule:
**Please note these are the anticipated game days. If games are cancelled due to weather they will be moved to either the end of October or beginning of November. Games for the 5U/6U age group are played on Tuesdays and games for the 7U/8U age group are played on Fridays.
5U/6U Schedule
August- November 2023 (Tuesdays)
-
Anticipated Training Dates: Starting week of 8/22
- Game Day: 8/29
- Game Day:9/5
- Game Day: 9/12
- Game Day: 9/19
- Game Day: 9/26
- Game Day: 10/3
- Game Day: 10/10
- Game Day:10/17
- Potential Make-Up Dates: 10/24 and 11/7 (no games will be played on Halloween)
7U/8U Schedule
August- November 2023 (Fridays)
-
Anticipated Training Dates: Starting week of 8/22
- Game Day: 9/1
- Game Day:9/8
- Game Day: 9/15
- Game Day: 9/22
- Game Day: 9/29
- Game Day: 10/6
- Game Day: 10/13
- Game Day:10/20
- Potential Make-Up Dates: 10/27 and 11/3
Spring registration opens: November 1, 2023
Spring registration deadline (or when teams are full): March 1, 2024
Spring registration late fee: March 2nd, 2024
Training starts: The week of March 11, 2024
First game kicks off: The week of March 19, 2024
Spring Schedule:
**Please note these are the anticipated game days. Weather-related cancellations will be moved to the end of May.
5U/6U Game Schedule
March – May 2024 (Tuesdays)
Game Day: 3/19
Game Day: 3/26
Game Day: 4/2
Game Day: 4/9
Game Day: 4/16
Game Day: 4/23
Game Day: 5/30
Game Day: 5/7
Game Day: 5/14, 5/21 (potential makeup date)
7U/8U Game Schedule
March – May 2024 (Fridays)
Game Day: 3/22
Game Day: 3/29
Game Day: 4/5
Game Day: 4/12
Game Day: 4/19
Game Day: 4/26
Game Day: 5/3
Game Day: 5/10
Game Day: 5/17, 5/24 (potential makeup date)
- Overview
-
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. 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.
- Teams are coached by parent volunteer coaches with the guidance and help of the club’s Director
- Practices and Games are held at a centralized location in the region
Small-Sided Game Model Goalkeeper Team Size Ball Size Practices a Week Game Days 5U (2019 birth years) 3v3 No 5-7 players 3 1 Tuesdays 6U (2018 birth years) 3v3 No 5-7 players 3 1 Tuesdays 7U (2017 birth years) 4v4 No 7-8 players 3 1 Fridays 8U (2016 birth years) 5v5 Yes 7-10 players 3 2 Fridays - 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
-
- Fall Registration Opens: May 1, 2023
- Fall Registration Closes: August 14, 2023
- Fall Registration Late Begins: August 15, 2023
Fall Schedule:
**Please note these are the anticipated game days. If games are cancelled due to weather they will be moved to either the end of October or beginning of November. Games for the 5U/6U age group are played on Tuesdays and games for the 7U/8U age group are played on Fridays.
5U/6U Schedule
August- November 2023 (Tuesdays)
-
Anticipated Training Dates: Starting week of 8/22
- Game Day: 8/29
- Game Day:9/5
- Game Day: 9/12
- Game Day: 9/19
- Game Day: 9/26
- Game Day: 10/3
- Game Day: 10/10
- Game Day:10/17
- Potential Make-Up Dates: 10/24 and 11/7 (no games will be played on Halloween)
7U/8U Schedule
August- November 2023 (Fridays)
-
Anticipated Training Dates: Starting week of 8/22
- Game Day: 9/1
- Game Day:9/8
- Game Day: 9/15
- Game Day: 9/22
- Game Day: 9/29
- Game Day: 10/6
- Game Day: 10/13
- Game Day:10/20
- Potential Make-Up Dates: 10/27 and 11/3
- Spring Dates
-
Spring registration opens: November 1, 2023
Spring registration deadline (or when teams are full): March 1, 2024
Spring registration late fee: March 2nd, 2024
Training starts: The week of March 11, 2024
First game kicks off: The week of March 19, 2024
Spring Schedule:
**Please note these are the anticipated game days. Weather-related cancellations will be moved to the end of May.
5U/6U Game Schedule
March – May 2024 (Tuesdays)
Game Day: 3/19
Game Day: 3/26
Game Day: 4/2
Game Day: 4/9
Game Day: 4/16
Game Day: 4/23
Game Day: 5/30
Game Day: 5/7
Game Day: 5/14, 5/21 (potential makeup date)
7U/8U Game Schedule
March – May 2024 (Fridays)
Game Day: 3/22
Game Day: 3/29
Game Day: 4/5
Game Day: 4/12
Game Day: 4/19
Game Day: 4/26
Game Day: 5/3
Game Day: 5/10
Game Day: 5/17, 5/24 (potential makeup date)
- Contact
-
5U-6U Recreational Leagues
Age Groups: 5U, 6U
Levels: Beginner, Intermediate
Seasons: Spring, Fall
$120Per Season
- 8-9 Week Season
- 7-8 Games
- Practice 1x/week
- Proven Curriculum
- Uniform Separate
- Volunteer Coaches
- Locations across Fort Collins/Loveland
7U-8U Recreational Leagues
Age Groups: 7U, 8U
Levels: Beginner, Intermediate
Seasons: Spring, Fall
$130Per Season
- 8-9 Week Season
- 7-8 Games
- Practice 1x/week
- Proven Curriculum
- Uniform Separate
- Volunteer Coaches
- Locations across Fort Collins/Loveland
$10 Early Bird Discount Ends In…
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months
months
03
weeks
weeks
03
days
days
10
hours
hours
49
minutes
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53
seconds
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 =
Coach Expectations
- Communicate clearly with the team throughout the season.
- Lead every practice session or find a substitute if they cannot be present.
- Coach every game or find a substitute if they cannot be at the game.
- Find a practice location and time that works for them and their team.
- Warm-up team and meet opposing coach before every game
- Provide a game facilitator for half of each game
- Turn in player tracking document at the end of every season
- Update LeagueApps with the practice schedule and other team events
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.
- Work with Coach Volunteer to make sure LeagueApps is updated
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.
Game Facilitator Expectations
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.
- Tell which team should kick the ball in after it goes out of bounds.
- Call any fouls that happen during the game and explain to players why it is a foul.
- Provide education on the game to player during games.
- Keep players safe and the game under control.
- Coach
-
Coach Expectations
- Communicate clearly with the team throughout the season.
- Lead every practice session or find a substitute if they cannot be present.
- Coach every game or find a substitute if they cannot be at the game.
- Find a practice location and time that works for them and their team.
- Warm-up team and meet opposing coach before every game
- Provide a game facilitator for half of each game
- Turn in player tracking document at the end of every season
- Update LeagueApps with the practice schedule and other team events
Coach Education Opportunities
GO TO RISE- 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
-
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.
- Work with Coach Volunteer to make sure LeagueApps is updated
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.
- Game Facilitator
-
Game Facilitator Expectations
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.
- Tell which team should kick the ball in after it goes out of bounds.
- Call any fouls that happen during the game and explain to players why it is a foul.
- Provide education on the game to player during games.
- Keep players safe and the game under control.
Understanding Your Time in the 5U-8U Recreational League
The 5U-8U recreational league is the first time players will begin having practices during the week and games on the weekend. 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. Parent Volunteer Coaches decide with the input of other parents on the team when and where to practice for the season. Practices are held at local parks across Fort Collins and Loveland. All 5U-8U recreational teams are given approximately 20 yards by 30 yards to practice. Team schedules can be found on your PlayMetrics account.
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.
Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer in Action
🏆⚽️🏆 RAPIDS SUCCESS 🙌 CONGRATS to the 24 #CRYSCAlumni that competed in their respective collegiate division’s postseason this year! Way to represent CO on the big stage, we love to see it!
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCCPP
🎓❄️🎓 THANK YOU to the college coaches & 2,500+ 15-19U players, families, & supporters who attended the 2023 #CRYSCWinterShowcase!! It was a chilly weekend of high-level competition featuring some of the best teams in the state!
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCCPP #CRYSCElite #CRYSCTournaments
🏆⚽️🏆 MAKING IT BIG TIME! CONGRATS to all of our CRYSC/@corapidswomen players & alumni who were national champions or national runner-ups in their respective collegiate divisions!
Ian Elliott - @stolafmsoc - NCAA D3 Champion
Ben Beckman - @stolafmsoc - NCAA D3 Champion
Casey McCloskey - @stolafmsoc - NCAA D3 Champion
Heather Gilchrist - @nolesoccer - NCAA D1 Champion
Ran Iwai - @nolesoccer - NCAA D1 Champion
Sophia Nguyen - @nolesoccer - NCAA D1 Champion
Colin Starr - @jwucltmsoc - USCAA NTL Champion
Kaci Karl - @washuwsoccer - NCAA D3 Runner-Up
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCCPP #CRYSCAlumni
👏🔥👏 The Rapids Castle Rock region @nationalpremierleagues season starts December 14 with a trip down to AZ!! Good luck to our CR teams kicking off their season this month!
#CRYSCGirlsNPL
#EliteYouthSoccer #EliteProspect #EliteDevelopment #SoccerTalent #SoccerProspect #CompetitiveSoccer #AthletesOfTomorrow
👏⭐️👏 INVINCIBLE! Congrats to our Rapids 09G South ECNL-RL team for finishing the season at the top of their bracket, going undefeated, & having an astonishing 0️⃣ goals scored against!
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCElite #CRYSCGirlsECRL @ecnlgirls
📰‼️📰 The CRYSC November Newsletter is OUT NOW, featuring a last call for holiday programs, spring rec registration, #CRYSCClassof2024 early college commits, & more! Check it out 👉 cry.sc/November-23
#OneClubOneCommunity
@unitedsoccercoaches 3️⃣0️⃣ UNDER 3️⃣0️⃣ MENTOR PROGRAM SELECTION!
CONGRATS to South Technical Director, Miguel Rodrigues, on being selected to the mentorship program! We are honored to have Miguel represent CRYSC & coaching excellence in CO on the national stage! 🙌
#OneClubOneCommunity #DevelopingRemarkableCoaches
🙌💪🙌 Last week, CRYSC held a clinic for competitive girls, led by Rapids South Competitive Admin & former @du_wsoccer captain Leah Swander & current @corapidswomen GK @kyleigh_hall1! The clinic focused on attacking, team tactics, & providing our female players with opportunities to learn from elite athletes!
#OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCElite
Yes, uniforms are required for players to play. Soccer.com is our official uniform supplier.
Players need shin guards, socks, and cleats, a size three soccer ball, water, and weather appropriate clothing.
Absolutely, we hope players are able to play with their friends. Please request this when registering your child for soccer.
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 form March-May