Serving players from: Denver • Aurora • Commerce City • Glendale • Green Valley • Lakewood • Northfield • Stapleton
Soccer Start is a Whole Child Development program introduction to soccer for 3-4 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 3-4 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
North Sports Fields I June 3rd – 24th or July 8th – 29th I 5:00-5:50PM
North Sports Fields I June 3rd – 24th or July 8th – 29th I 6:00-6:50PM
Ash Grove Park I June 3rd – 24th or July 8th – 29th I 5:00-5:50PM
Ash Grove Park I June 3rd – 24th or July 8th – 29th I 6:00-6:50PM
Tuesdays
Town Center Park I June 4th – 25th or July 9th – 30th I 5:30-6:20PM
Montbello Central Park I June 4th – 25th or July 9th – 30th I 5:30-6:20PM
Wednesdays
North Sports Fields I June 5th – 26th or July 10th – 31st I 5:30-6:20PM
Robinson Park I June 5th – 26th I 5:00-5:50PM
Thursdays
Montbello Central Park I June 6th – 27th I 5:30-6:20PM
Town Center Park I July 11th – August 1st I 5:30-6:20PM
Saturdays
North Sports Fields I June 8th – 29th I 9:00-9:50AM
North Sports Fields I June 8th – 29th I 10:00-10:50AM
Cranmer I June 8th – 29th or July 13th – August 3rd I 9:00-9:50AM
Cranmer I June 8th – 29th or July 13th – August 3rdI 10:00-10:50AM
Aviator Park I July 13th – August 3rd I 9:00-9:50AM
Aviator Park I July 13th – August 3rd I 10:00-10:50AM
Mondays
Central Park Area I 4:30-5:20PM
Central Park Area I 5:30-6:20PM
Wednesdays
Crestmoor/Lowry Area I 4:30-5:20PM
Crestmoor/Lowry Area I 5:30-6:20PM
Saturdays
The Eddy I 9:00-9:50AM
The Eddy I 10:00-10:50AM
The Eddy I 11:00-11:50AM
Green Valley Ranch Area I 10:00-10:50AM
Green Valley Ranch Area I 11:00-11:50AM
Mondays
Winter I: Nov. 27th – Dec. 18th, 2023
The Eddy I 5:00-5:50PM
The Eddy I 6:00-6:50PM
Winter II: Jan. 1 – 22nd, 2024
The Eddy I 5:00-5:50PM
Winter III: Jan. 29th – Feb. 19th, 2024
The Eddy I 5:00-5:50PM
Tuesdays
Winter I: Nov. 28th – Dec. 19th, 2023
The Eddy I 9:00-9:50AM
The Eddy I 5:00-5:50PM
Winter II: Jan. 2 – 23rd, 2024
The Eddy I 9:00-9:50AM
The Eddy I 5:00-5:50PM
Wednesdays
Winter I: Nov. 29th – Dec. 20th, 2023
The Eddy I 5:00-5:50PM
Winter II: Jan. 3rd – 24th, 2024
The Eddy I 5:00-5:50PM
Mondays
Central Park Area I Mar 31st – May 5th I 5:00-5:50PM
Central Park Area I Mar 31st – May 5th I 6:00-6:50PM
Wednesdays
Crestmoor/Lowry Area I Apr 2nd – May 7th I 5:00-5:50PM
Crestmoor/Lowry Area I Apr 2nd – May 7th I 6:00-6:50PM
Saturdays
The Eddy I Apr 5th – May 10th I 9:00-9:50AM
The Eddy I Apr 5th – May 10th I 10:00-10:50AM
The Eddy I Apr 5th – May 10th I 11:00-11:50AM
Green Valley Ranch Area I Apr 5th – May 10th I 10:00-10:50AM
Green Valley Ranch Area I Apr 5th – May 10th I 11:00-10:50AM
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 clothes 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 a 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 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 session. We recommend that players also wear cleats to every session because they provide a 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 to every session.
Soccer Start season is complete! Like a mother watching her child`s first steps. I was blessed to see these U4 player`s first touches on the ball, first shots on goal and the spark of love for the game. This program is challenging to say the least, but the outcome is far more rewarding! 🤗🫶⚽️ #OneClubOneCommunity
#cryscsoccerstart
Have you heard of our unique introductory soccer program for 3- to 5-year-old players? Soccer Start is a great way to build a foundation for your child`s physical, emotional, social and cognitive success! #SoccerStart #Soccer #ColoradoRapids #Denver #toddlerfun #CRYSCSoccerStart
Registration for fall Soccer Start is OPEN! 👏👏 Now your littlest players can learn basic physical, cognitive, social, and emotional skills with our energetic and imaginative curriculum. Register today! #CRYSCSoccerStart
⚽️⚽️ #SoccerStart Director & Coach, Charlie Bacha, stopped by Molholm Elementary this week and organized soccer games at recess. Looks like fun! #CRYSCInTheCommunity #CRYSCSoccerStart
Even our youngest #SoccerStart players learn from a supported curriculum and specially trained coaches. Take an in-depth look at our introductory program on our website! Link in bio. #CRYSC #Soccer #RapidsYouthSoccer #CRYSCSoccerStart
Do you know an energetic toddler or preschooler? 👶 Introduce your child to Soccer Start, our specially designed program for 3 to 5 year olds! We use interactive games to capture the attention of this unique age group while teaching basic soccer skills alongside balance, coordination, sensory, and gross motor skills. Register at the link in our bio! #CRYSCSoccerStart
🧒⚽️👦 Coach Charlie & Brett visited Graland County Day School this week for an afternoon of fun & soccer with the 5-6 year olds! #OneClub #CRYSCInTheCommunity #CRYSCSoccerStart
We are excited to introduce Morgan Kennedy as our new Soccer Start Program Director! Morgan has an extensive background in playing and coaching soccer, and we look forward to watching her take our toddler/preschooler program to the next level. 👶 #youthsoccer #toddlersoccer #kidssoccer #activekids #CRYSCSoccerStart
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.
Each season we have specific dates for rescheduling. If your session is canceled we will reschedule your session to one of those dates so you can get all of your sessions in.
Players should wear shin guards, socks, and athletic clothes 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 a 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 to every session.
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.
