Recreational Soccer is a program where teams are formed without regard to skill levels. There are no tryouts or assessments involved in forming teams. Many teams are based on neighborhoods or schools and give children the opportunity to play with their friends and peers.
Teams are formed starting at Kindergarten up through high school. Rules, number of players, and size of field vary with each grade. As teams get older, rules become tighter, more players play on the field and the field gets larger.
Not in Kindergarten yet? See our Tot Soccer Program.
Overview of Recreational Soccer
Our recreational program is driven by volunteers. The make the program the great program it is for kids coming into and staying with soccer.
We start off in Kindergarten with very small sided games (3 v 3). This format allows new soccer players plenty of opportunity to kick the ball and score goals. Small sided teams at these young ages is critical for kids enjoyment and development. Coaching demands of our volunteers is minimal and the club's professional staff works to train the new volunteer coaches.
Organizations that hire individuals to coach youth teams, generally field large sided teams. While this is cost effective for them, it lessens both the Fun and the developmental aspects afforded by small sided play.
How are teams formed?
Teams are formed in two ways.
1. Parents get together and decide to form a team. They submit registration forms together and inform us it is a team.
2. Individual parents submit a registration form. BJS/NOVA place players on existing teams needing players and create new teams from the individual registrations.
How many players on a team and how long do they play?
The chart below summarizes the most frequently asked information regarding the variations between grade/age groups.
|
Grade/Age Group |
Recommended Team size |
Field Players | Duration | Ball Size |
Field Size Approx. |
| Kindergarten | 6-8 | 3 vs. 3 | 4 x 8 min | #3 | 25 x 35 yds |
| 1st Grade | 8-10 | 4 vs. 4 | 4 x 10 min | #3 | 25 x 35 yds |
| 2nd Grade | 10-12 | 5 vs. 5 | 2 x 20 min** | #3 | 30 x 45 yds |
| 3rd Grade (U9) |
14 Max |
8 vs. 8 | 2 x 25 min | #4 | 45 x 70 yrds |
| 4th Grade (U10) |
14 Max |
8 vs. 8 | 2 x 25 min | #4 | 45 x 70 yrds |
| U11 / U12 (5th & 6th Grade) |
18 Max |
11 vs. 11 | 2 x 30 min | #4 | 100 x 70 yrds |
| U13 / U14 (7th & 8th Grade) |
18 Max |
11 vs. 11 | 2 x 35 min | #5 | 100 x 70 yrds |
| U15 / U16 (9th & 10th Grade) | 18 Max | 11 vs. 11 | 2 x 40 min | #5 | 100 x 70 yrds |
| U17 / U19 (11th & 12th Grade) | 18 Max | 11 vs. 11 | 2 x 45 min | #5 | 100 x 70 yrds |
** can be done in quarters if both coaches agree
What training is available for volunteers and recreational players?
Before each season, BJS/NOVA conducts clinics for volunteer coaches and referees. Individuals wanting more can checkout our large lending library, or take fee based, certification courses which are also offered.
BJS/NOVA also puts on clinics for youth recreational players during the season and Soccer Camps throughout the Summer for kids wanting additional training. These clinics can be found on our clinics page.
Beginning with 3rd grade, teams and players are able to take advantage of our ELITE Soccer program to prepare for playing Competitive soccer in the Fall of 5th grade.
General Information
1. Parents are expected to volunteer to coach, referee, and team manage at this level. We need parent help to run these small 'micro-soccer' teams. We provide training and assistance to coaches and referees.
2. We will attempt to place children on teams in their school or neighborhood but can not guarantee placement. If for any reason, you must restrict the area of town of your child's team you must inform us by letter. For someone who lives in Table Mesa whose child goes to Shining Mtn. Waldorf in North Boulder, "Place on a North to South Boulder team only", or "South Boulder teams Only". You may also to play with a friend for a specific coach. We will try to fill your requests, but if you say South Boulder Only we will not place you on an adjoining area team.
3. You can form your own team! Please let us know you are bringing a team. Gather enough registrations from friends to field a full team and submit them to the club before 31 July for the fall season or 31 January for the spring season. Call us if there is a problem meeting this deadline.
4. Individual applications will be placed on existing teams or new teams may be formed.
5. Players must have uniforms and shin guards.
6. Strong teams may ask to play up one age group. That is, a strong 2nd grade team may play in the 3rd grade division but they must have enough players to do so.
Notification:
Assume your child has been placed on a team. You will receive a call from your coach a couple of weeks before the start of the season (please check our website calendar for dates). We will send out notifications by email where possible.
Communication with the Club:
Email and our Web Site are the primary tools used to communicate with parents. It is important that you clearly write your email address on the registration form. We do send out newsletters for those that don't have access to the internet. However for current, timely information affecting you, you might consider using a friend's email account.
Spreading the word:
BJS and NOVA are all volunteer clubs and depend on all parents to help the program. You can help by talking up the program to fellow parents at your school and working to put together teams for the upcoming years.
Your feedback is important:
We kid you not! We are parents who love soccer and this club so much that we donate our valuable time to it. If there are problems or suggestions for improvements we want to know so we can take immediate corrective actions or staff suggestions for implementation.