5U-8U Recreation
The 5U-8U Recreational League provides a fun, safe, and developmentally appropriate soccer environment for 4- to 8-year-olds and is designed to help players continue to grow in the sport of soccer.
Serving players from: Centennial • Aurora • Cherry Hills • Parker • Denver • Englewood • Golden • Greenwood Village • Highlands Ranch • Lakewood • Littleton • Lone Tree
Soccer Start is a Whole Child Development program introduction to soccer for 3 to 4 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 5U – 8U programs.
Soccer Start is a developmental pathway for beginner soccer players to grow and develop within the Rapids Youth Soccer organization. Following a specific whole-child development curriculum, each week the children will use their imaginations as they go on Adventures. Using creativity, curiosity, discovery, and social integration techniques, all while integrating soccer and physical fitness..
Registration Close Dates: Registration closes one week before kick-off or when groups are full
Season Play Dates: Continue scrolling to see the full program play dates and the associated parks
Parents choose one day and time when registering. Players will then attend the same day and time during the entire six-week season.
Soccer Start is a Whole Child Development program introduction to soccer for 3 to 4 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 5U – 8U programs.
Soccer Start is a developmental pathway for beginner soccer players to grow and develop within the Rapids Youth Soccer organization. Following a specific whole-child development curriculum, each week the children will use their imaginations as they go on Adventures. Using creativity, curiosity, discovery, and social integration techniques, all while integrating soccer and physical fitness..
Registration Close Dates: Registration closes one week before kick-off or when groups are full
Season Play Dates: Continue scrolling to see the full program play dates and the associated parks
Parents choose one day and time when registering. Players will then attend the same day and time during the entire six-week season.
Mondays
Piney Creek Hollow 4:00-4:50PM
Piney Creek Hollow 5:00-5:50PM
Parker 4:00-4:50PM
Parker 5:00-5:50PM
Lone Tree 4:00-4:50PM
Lone Tree 5:00-5:50PM
Tuesdays
Piney Creek Hollow 4:00-4:50PM
Piney Creek Hollow 5:00-5:50PM
Parker 4:00-4:50PM
Parker 5:00-5:50PM
Lone Tree 4:00-4:50PM
Lone Tree 5:00-5:50PM
Wednesdays
Piney Creek Hollow 4:00-4:50PM
Piney Creek Hollow 5:00-5:50PM
Parker 4:00-4:50PM
Parker 5:00-5:50PM
Lone Tree 4:00-4:50PM
Lone Tree 5:00-5:50PM
Thursdays
Piney Creek Hollow 4:00-4:50PM
Piney Creek Hollow 5:00-5:50PM
Parker 4:00-4:50PM
Parker 5:00-5:50PM
Lone Tree 4:00-4:50PM
Lone Tree 5:00-5:50PM
Fridays
Piney Creek Hollow 9:00-9:50AM
Piney Creek Hollow 10:00-10:50AM
Parker 9:00-9:50AM
Parker 10:00-10:50AM
Lone Tree 9:00-9:50AM
Lone Tree 10:00-10:50 AM
Saturdays
Piney Creek Hollow 9:00-9:50AM
Piney Creek Hollow 10:00-10:50AM
Parker 9:00-9:50AM
Parker 10:00-10:50AM
Lone Tree 9:00-9:50AM
Lone Tree 10:00-10:50 AM
Mondays
Piney Creek Hollow I 5:00-5:50PM
Parker I 5:00-5:50PM
Tuesdays
Piney Creek Hollow I 5:00-5:50PM
Wednesdays
Lone Tree I 5:00-5:50PM
Southlands Area I 5:00-5:50PM
Thursdays
Piney Creek Hollow I 5:00-5:50PM
Saturdays
Piney Creek Hollow I 9:00-9:50AM
Piney Creek Hollow I 10:00-10:50AM
Parker I 9:00-9:50AM
Parker I 10:00-10:50AM
Lone Tree I 9:00-9:50AM
Lone Tree I 10:00-10:50AM
2024 Information NO WINTER TRAINING WINTER 2024/2025
Mondays
Piney Creek Hollow 4:00-4:50PM
Piney Creek Hollow 5:00-5:50PM
Parker 4:00-4:50PM
Parker 5:00-5:50PM
Lone Tree 4:00-4:50PM
Lone Tree 5:00-5:50PM
Tuesdays
Piney Creek Hollow 4:00-4:50PM
Piney Creek Hollow 5:00-5:50PM
Parker 4:00-4:50PM
Parker 5:00-5:50PM
Lone Tree 4:00-4:50PM
Lone Tree 5:00-5:50PM
Thursdays
Piney Creek Hollow 5:00-5:50PM
Saturdays
Piney Creek Hollow 9:00-9:50AM
Piney Creek Hollow 10:00-10:50AM
Parker 9:00-9:50AM
Parker 10:00-10:50AM
Lone Tree 9:00-9:50AM
Lone Tree 10:00-10:50 AM
Southlands Area 9:00-9:50AM
Southlands Area 10:00-10:50AM
Denver Tech Center 9:00-9:50AM
Denver Tech Center 10:00-10:50AM
Wednesdays
Lone Tree 5:00-5:50PM
Southlands Area 5:00-5:50PM
Parker 5:00-5:50PM
No deadlines found.
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.
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.
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.
5U-8U Recreation
The 5U-8U Recreational League provides a fun, safe, and developmentally appropriate soccer environment for 4- to 8-year-olds and is designed to help players continue to grow in the sport of soccer.
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.
Club News
Check out our blogs about sports medicine, sport psychology, Player of the Month, international trips, and so much more!
We will take extra precaution with this age group when it comes to playable temperatures. It is our policy to not cancel practices if fields are open for play, but Rapids Youth Soccer will make that determination based on case-by-case basis.
Weather in Colorado can be interesting to say the least. There are many times that it will be raining in one part of the city and not five miles away. Each decision will be made on a case-by-case basis, based on what we believe to be in the best interest of the kids and the program.
If there is lightening within 10 miles, practice will be delayed for 30 minutes. If there is no lightening and the fields are open, the session will take place.
We will do our best to reschedule canceled sessions, but sometimes the Colorado weather does not corporate. We can only guarantee 6 sessions and will do our best to get all 7 sessions in throughout the season.
Soccer balls, jerseys, and all other equipment will be provided by the Rapids Youth Soccer organization.
You should wear weather appropriate clothing and be prepared for any change in weather. Please bring water.
All players need shin guards with socks that cover the shin guards.
Cleats are recommended, but not required.
At the Colorado Rapids Youth Soccer Club, we believe that if a player is engaged and having fun with an activity, they will learn and understand more than if they are disengaged and bored during a drill. We believe that we should design our curriculum in a way to excite and engage our players, so that they are excited and ready to learn throughout the whole session.
It is our goal to keep kids constantly moving and not standing around.
Once practice locations are finalized, you will receive an email with a map and location. You can also use the map on our website to find all of the Soccer Start locations.