CRYSC 9U-10U programming continues to build upon the technical foundation started in the Soccer Start and 6U-8U programs and builds on the Colorado Rapids curriculum. Program offerings cover the spectrum of player pathways, from beginner to pre-competitive leagues that offer the highest level of competition in the State.

Training and games are held at convenient, centralized, community locations in the Centennial, Parker, Highlands Ranch area. Game format is played in line with US Soccer Directives for small sided games, which is 7v7 with goalkeepers. Team sizes of 10-12 players ensures plenty of game time to apply the skills and techniques that are presented in the twice weekly curriculum based training.

While any family can elect to participate in the Recreational or Recreational PLUS Programs, players must be invited to join the Select Program. Our Rapids Youth Soccer Staff works directly with volunteer coaches, players, and parents through the year to evaluate and place players in the most developmentally-appropriate environment. It is our intention to provide a place for every player to play at 9U/10U no matter what their playing ability might be or their desired level of competition.

	Recreational	Rec PLUS Training & Interbranch League	Select Program
Player Attributes	Child enjoys soccer, especially for the fun and social atmosphere but needs motivating to practice at home.	Child loves soccer and practices at home when prompted. Child gets excited about practice and skill development.	Child has a passion for soccer and practices at home without being prompted. Thrives in a structured/disciplined environment.
Season	Separate Fall & Spring seasons that are 7-8 weeks long. Suggested 2X practice per week. Practice schedule set by volunteer coach in collaboration with CRYSC admin.	Separate Fall & Spring seasons that are 7-8 weeks long. 2X practice per week. Practice schedule is set by the Program Director, expect a potential Monday or Friday time.	8-10 month long season
Coaching	Parent volunteer coach	Parent volunteer coach and staff coach	Professional, licensed staff coach
League Play	In-house league play on Saturdays	CRYSC Rec PLUS Interbranch League on Saturdays in Denver Metro, Denver South, and Castle Rock areas	Weekend games across the Front Range with 2-4 local tournaments
Playing Format	7v7	7v7	7v7
Goalkeeper Training	Introductory opportunities	Introductory opportunities	Included 1x/week
Team Size	10-12 players	10-12 players	10-12 players

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, players, and members can interact, creating a living and growing classroom. By connecting the CRYSC community online, RISE will open up new educational opportunities for players and 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 achieve our long-term player development initiative. 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 puts players in realistic situations, which should always include decision-making elements.

When coaching soccer, WPW can be used in a variety of ways to break down techniques, skills, or tactics. Most commonly the players are taken from practice with high game context to a low one, before returning 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. 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 2nd

Fall Priority Deadline for Returning Players: June 30th

Fall Late Fee Begins: July 25th

Fall Waitlist Begins: August 8th

Fall Registration Closes: August 8th

Training Starts: Week of August 29th

Fall Schedule:

**Please note these are the anticipated game days. If games are cancelled or delayed due to weather and/or COVID-19 they will be moved to either the end of October or beginning of November. Reschedules can take place on Sundays as needed.

Spring registration opens: November 1st

Spring Priority Deadline for Returning Players: January 12th

Spring Late Fee Begins: February 7th

Spring Waitlist Begins: February 21st

Spring Registration Closes: February 21st

Training Starts: Week of March 14th

9U-10U Recreational

The 9U and 10U Recreational in-house league builds on the philosophy of the 6U-8U program by providing an environment where players find both success and challenges. Teams play small-sided games with goalkeepers (7v7) with emphasis on the development of the individual player in a fun and rewarding environment. Teams are placed in divisions with other teams of like ability based on coach surveys and previous season performance.

Teams generally consist of 10-12 players. These teams are coached by parent-volunteers who follow a curriculum provided by Program Directors to run training sessions. Teams practice twice per week (60 minutes each) and play games on Saturdays in our in-house league.

Each team gets 7-8 games each season during the 9-10 week season. Some weekends will consist of double-header games with a small break in-between games. This will eliminate the need for makeup games on weeknights and Sundays, maximizing the soccer experience and family time.

The Fall season runs from September through the first week of November, and the Spring season from March through May.

9U-10U Rec Plus

The 9U-10U Rec PLUS builds of the Recreational program with a Rapids Youth staff coach training the teams during the week. Teams still train at Gates North Soccer Complex, located off of Arapahoe Rd and Parker Rd. The staff trainer will work with teams twice per week following the age group curriculum provided by the Program Director. A parent volunteer, with input from the staff trainer, leads the team during the Saturday games.

The 9U and 10U Recreational in-house league builds on the philosophy of the 6U-8U program by providing an environment where players find both success and challenges. Teams play small-sided games with goalkeepers (7v7) with emphasis on the development of the individual player in a fun and rewarding environment. Teams are placed in divisions with other teams of like ability based on coach surveys and previous season performance.

Teams generally consist of 10-12 players. These teams are coached by parent-volunteers who follow a curriculum provided by Program Directors to run training sessions. Teams practice twice per week (60 minutes each) and play games on Saturdays in our in-house league.

Each team gets 7-8 games each season during the 9-10 week season. Some weekends will consist of double-header games with a small break in-between games. This will eliminate the need for makeup games on weeknights and Sundays, maximizing the soccer experience and family time.

The Fall season runs from September through the first week of November, and the Spring season from March through May.

9U/10U Select

Participants in the Select Program represent an elite standard within each age group and are expected to demonstrate a higher commitment to training for the purpose of development.  Each age-group will be comprised of a pool of 30-36 players who will be divided into three tiered teams led by licensed staff coaches.  Participation in the Select Program is by invitation only.  Rapids staff will select players based upon staff observations throughout the year during training, games, kick-arounds, Rapids Development Centers, and parent coach evaluations with final approval from the Age-Group Directors of Coaching.

Each pool of 30-36 players will train at the same time and place, three times per week in the  Centennial/South Denver area.  Staff coaches will lead all training sessions and games with Age-Group Directors of Coaching filling in to coach in the event of any absences.  Additionally, each team will have a Parent Liaison who will act as a link between the Club staff, coach and parents.

Select teams participate in the state-run Front Range League.  Teams play in a 7v7 format with goalkeepers. Select teams also participate in one tournament per season in addition to their league schedules. 

Select teams play games from August to early November in the fall season and from March to May in the spring. Additionally, Select players are invited to participate in optional winter training in January and February.