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 15, 2023
- Fall Registration Late Begins: August 16, 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
- Registration Opens – November 1
- Registration Deadline (or when teams are full) – March 1
- Registration Late Fee – March 1
- Registration Last Minute Fee – March 15
- Training Starts – Second to Last Week of March
- First Game Kicks Off – First Saturday of April
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 2023 (Tuesdays)
Game Day: 3/21
Game Day: 3/28
Game Day: 4/4
Game Day: 4/11
Game Day: 4/18
Game Day: 4/25
Game Day: 5/2
Game Day: 5/9
Game Day: 5/16 (potential makeup date)
7U/8U Game Schedule
March – May 2023 (Fridays)
Game Day: 3/24
Game Day: 3/31
Game Day: 4/7
Game Day: 4/14
Game Day: 4/21
Game Day: 4/28
Game Day: 5/5
Game Day: 5/12
Game Day: 5/19 (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
-
GO TO RISERISE (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 15, 2023
- Fall Registration Late Begins: August 16, 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
-
- Registration Opens – November 1
- Registration Deadline (or when teams are full) – March 1
- Registration Late Fee – March 1
- Registration Last Minute Fee – March 15
- Training Starts – Second to Last Week of March
- First Game Kicks Off – First Saturday of April
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 2023 (Tuesdays)
Game Day: 3/21
Game Day: 3/28
Game Day: 4/4
Game Day: 4/11
Game Day: 4/18
Game Day: 4/25
Game Day: 5/2
Game Day: 5/9
Game Day: 5/16 (potential makeup date)
7U/8U Game Schedule
March – May 2023 (Fridays)
Game Day: 3/24
Game Day: 3/31
Game Day: 4/7
Game Day: 4/14
Game Day: 4/21
Game Day: 4/28
Game Day: 5/5
Game Day: 5/12
Game Day: 5/19 (potential makeup date)
- Contact
-
5U-6U Recreational Leagues
Beginner to Advanced
$120
Per season
- 8-9 Week Season
- 7-8 Games
- Practice 1x/week
- Beginner/Advanced
- Proven Curriculum
- Uniform Separate
- Volunteer Coaches
- Locations across Fort Collins/Loveland
7U-8U Recreational Leagues
Beginner to Advanced
$130
Per season
- 8-9 Week Season
- 7-8 Games
- Practice 1x/week
- Beginner/Advanced
- Proven Curriculum
- Uniform Separate
- Volunteer Coaches
- Locations across Fort Collins/Loveland
$10 Early Bird Discount Ends In…
2023/07/01 00:00:00
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
🏆🪨🏆 Nearly 500 teams participated in our 2023 #CRYSCRockCup! THANK YOU to the players, coaches, families, & vendors who joined us for a fun-filled weekend! Check out the full photo album! 📸👉 cry.sc/Rock-Cup-23 👈 #OneClubOneCommunity #CRYSCTournaments
🧵🔥 NEW THREADS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION 🔥🧵
Introducing your Rapids Youth Soccer 2023-25 competitive kits!!
#OneClubOneCommunity @uchealth @coloradorapids @soccerdotcom
💪🧠💪 Today is #MentalHealthActionDay! With tryouts & end of school year assignments coming up, Director of Mental Performance, Katie Pagel encourages CRYSC parents & players to take daily action to safeguard your mental health with an article from @americanpsychologicalassoc 👉 cry.sc/MHAM 👈
#OneClubOneCommunity
🏆⚽️🏆 CONGRATS to our Rapids 10B North Select II, 04/05G South, & 09B South Select I teams on advancing to Regionals after the @coloradosoccerassociation Presidents Cup & State Cup this season! We can`t wait to see how you do this summer against top teams from other states. 🙌 #OneClubOneCommunity
‼️🔥‼️ CHEER ON YOUR #2 RANKED IN THE NATION @corapidswomen in their @wpsl home opener matches this weekend!! Attend in-person or stream from home!
🗓️ Home opener vs Pride this Fri, May 19th @ 7PM
📺 Stream 👉 cry.sc/WPSL-519
🗓️ Home match vs Burn this Sun, May 21 @ 7PM
📺 Stream 👉 cry.sc/WPSL-521
📍 Regis University West Turf Field, tickets available at the gate
#CRYSCWPSL #OneClubOneCommunity
💪👏💪 CONGRATS to our Rapids 09G North White team for going undefeated in the @coloradosoccerassociation league season! GO RAPIDS! #OneClubOneCommunity
👩👦🌸👩👧 #HappyMothersDay to the amazing moms, grandmothers, & maternal figures in our soccer community & across the world!! 💕 #OneClubOneCommunity
✅ A beautiful cross
✅ A cheeky header
✅ High fives all around
🔥 Our goal of the weekend, scored by Rapids 08G Central Secondary
📧 Send in your goals to [email protected] for a chance to feature on our pages!!
#OneClubOneCommunity
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
