Senior Recreational - U11 & Up

The Senior Recreational Program provides a fun, safe, and developmentally-appropriate soccer environment for 10- to 18-year old players (grouped by age) of all skill and ability levels.

This program builds upon the LTPD foundation started in our younger programs and gradually introduces additional layers of the Gulf Coast Soccer curriculum as players progress from one age group to the next. Players learn how to work within a team environment, improve physical fitness, enhance self-awareness and self-esteem, and develop social skills that transfer into long-term life skills and relationships.

The Senior Rec Program provides age-grouped playing options for all U11-U19 players based on their birth year. Participants who want to challenge themselves at higher levels of play may try out for one of our higher level Competitive soccer teams.

Key Objectives & Methodology of the U11-U12 Rec Program

· Key Objectives: To support the development of players who are late developers or who came to the game at a later age than most of their peers, to support players who want to play soccer primarily for social reasons, and to foster a love of the game for participating players.

· Methodology: Three weeks of preseason pool-based skills training, followed by curriculum-driven team-based practices for the remainder of the season. Inter-association games provide players with the opportunity to test their newly-acquired skills in a fun, yet competitive, setting.

Key Objectives & Methodology of the U13-U14 Rec Program

· Key Objectives: To support the development of players who are late developers or who came to the game at a later age than most of their peers, to support players who want to play soccer primarily for social reasons, and to foster a culture of being “active for life” through soccer.

· Methodology: Three weeks of preseason pool-based skills training, followed by curriculum-driven team-based practices for the remainder of the season. Inter-association games provide players with the opportunity to test their newly-acquired skills in a fun, yet competitive, setting.

Key Objectives & Methodology of the U15-U19 Rec Program

· Key Objectives: To provide novice players with a realistic entry point to the game, to support players who want to play soccer primarily for social reasons, and to foster a culture of being “active for life” through soccer.

· Methodology: Three weeks of preseason pool-based skills training, followed by curriculum-driven team-based practices for the remainder of the season. A mix of in-house and inter-association small-sided games provides players with the opportunity to test their newly-acquired skills in a fun, yet competitive, setting.

U11-U12 Team and Season Information

· Season Length: 14-weeks (fall), 12-weeks (spring), postseason playoff possibilities in the fall

· Game Format: Small-sided 9v9 (including goalkeepers)

· Team Structure: 14-16 player/teams

· Practice Frequency: Two (2) per week, 75-90 minutes each

· Games: One (1) each Saturday, (2) 30-minute halves

· Coaching: Volunteer coaches receive full-season GCS curriculum, free online and in-person training from US Soccer and mentoring from GCS Technical Director and staff coaches.

U13-U14 Team and Season Information

· Season Length: 14-weeks (fall), 10-weeks (spring), postseason playoff possibilities in the fall

· Game Format: Full-sided 11v11 (including goalkeepers)

· Team Structure: 15-18 player/teams

· Practice Frequency: Two (2) per week, 90 minutes each, beginning approximately 1 month prior to the first game.

· Games: One (1) each Saturday, two (2) 35-minute halves

· Coaching: Volunteer coaches receive full-season GCS curriculum, free online and in-person training from US Soccer and mentoring from GCS Technical Director and staff coaches.

U15-U19 Team and Season Information

· Season Length: 14-weeks (fall), 12-weeks (spring)

· Game Format: Small-sided 7v7 (including goalkeepers)

· Team Structure: 11-14 player/teams, co-ed

· Practice Frequency: Two (2) per week, 90 minutes each, beginning approximately 1 month prior to the first game.

· Games: One (1) each Saturday, with two (2) 30-minute halves

· Coaching: Volunteer coaches receive full-season GCS curriculum, free online and in-person training from US Soccer and mentoring from GCS Technical Director and staff coaches.

Equipment:

· Size 4 soccer ball (U11-U12)

· Size 5 soccer ball (U13-U19) 

· Soccer cleats

· Shin-guards

· Adequately sized water bottle

GCS Rec Uniform Kit (purchased separately at registration)