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: Castle Rock • Castle Pines • Highland Ranch • Larkspur • Lone Tree • Monument • Parker • Colorado Springs • Elizabeth • Franktown
FORT COLLINS | LOVELAND | WINDSOR | GREELEY | TIMNATH | SEVERANCE | WELLINGTON | LAPORTE | JOHNSTOWN | BERTHOUD | CHEYENNE | LARAMIE
THORNTON | WESTMINSTER | NORTHGLENN | BROOMFIELD | BRIGHTON | ARVADA | LONGMONT | LOUISVILLE
DENVER | AURORA | COMMERCE CITY | GLENDALE | GREEN VALLEY | LAKEWOOD | NORTHFIELD | STAPLETON
CENTENNIAL | AURORA | CHERRY HILLS | PARKER | DENVER | ENGLEWOOD | GOLDEN | GREENWOOD VILLAGE | HIGHLANDS RANCH | LAKEWOOD | LITTLETON | LONE TREE
CASTLE ROCK | CASTLE PINES | HIGHLAND RANCH | LARKSPUR | LONE TREE | MONUMENT | PARKER | COLORADO SPRINGS | ELIZABETH | FRANKTOWN
Quick Access to Rapids
Returning CRYSC families can access streamlined communication between coaches, parents, players, and the club - a roster, schedule, notifications, attendance tracker and more - go straight to PlayMetrics.
Soccer Start is a Whole Child Development program introduction to soccer for 2 to 3 year old players born in 2021. This innovative program focuses on physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development through fun, creative, and imaginative programming. Our Staff Coaches are applying formative systems to engage children of different stages to captivate attention and understanding. The programβs 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.
Soccer Start:
Players are placed in small groups with a Staff Coach leading the groupβs session every week. Sessions will last 50 minutes, and we offer sessions Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays. Groups will have up to 10 players and will remain the same throughout the season. Soccer Start runs for 6 weeks in the Fall and in the Spring, with the first 3 sessions focusing on players learning the basics of soccer and the last 3 weeks allowing the players to experience the game format.
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 β 8U programs.
Soccer Start is a developmental pathway for beginner soccer players toΒ 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:Β 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 2 to 3 year old players born in 2021. This innovative program focuses on physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development through fun, creative, and imaginative programming. Our Staff Coaches are applying formative systems to engage children of different stages to captivate attention and understanding. The programβs 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.
Soccer Start:
Players are placed in small groups with a Staff Coach leading the groupβs session every week. Sessions will last 50 minutes, and we offer sessions Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays. Groups will have up to 10 players and will remain the same throughout the season. Soccer Start runs for 6 weeks in the Fall and in the Spring, with the first 3 sessions focusing on players learning the basics of soccer and the last 3 weeks allowing the players to experience the game format.
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 β 8U programs.
Soccer Start is a developmental pathway for beginner soccer players toΒ 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:Β 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 – 4:30-5:20 pm & 5:30-6:20 pm – Douglas County Fairgrounds
Thursdays – 4:30-5:20 pm & 5:30-6:20 pm – Douglas County Fairgrounds
Saturdays – 10:00-10:50 am – Douglas County Fairgrounds
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. Rapids staff provides all curriculum, equipment, and communication necessary for the season.
All parent volunteer coaches must complete a background check with the Colorado Soccer Association, two safety classes, 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. Rapids staff provides all curriculum, equipment, and communication necessary for the season.
All parent volunteer coaches must complete a background check with the Colorado Soccer Association, two safety classes, 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 clothes that are appropriate for the weather at the time of the season. 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 clothes that are appropriate for the weather at the time of the season. 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.