Recreational Program

Vision Statement

Fees

Breakdown of Cost

Rules

Frequently Asked Questions

Rescheduling Games

Player Development

Team Formation

Spring 2012 u5 Pilot Program

Recreation Refund Policy Form

Recreation Non-Payment Policy

Spring 2012 Important Dates

Recreational Vision Statement

Offer a recreational soccer program that welcomes all children of all ages and skill levels who want to play soccer. Create soccer opportunities that emphasize each child's soccer skill development, personal growth, enjoyment, passion for the game of soccer and team experience, through excellent leadership, fair play, good sportsmanship and lots of fun. Provide opportunities for players and families to learn the game of soccer and the benefits of being part of organized sports and teamwork. Along with our coaches and board members offer the participants of our Recreational program a fun and rewarding experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

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Recreational Fees

U5 - U6 = $110 per season

U7 - U8 = $125 per season

U9 - U10 = $130 per season

U11 and above = $140 per season

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Recreational Rules >> Click Here

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Recreational Concerns Process

The following individuals are here to assist with any concerns. Please start by contacting your team coach. 

1. Team Coach
2. Director of Recreation
3. Director of Coaching
4. Board Member
   • U8 and below - VP Rec U8 and below
   • U9 and above - VP Rec U9 and above 

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Frequently Asked Questions >> Click Here

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Rescheduling Games

• For ages u7 and above, click here to request a reschedule for a game: http://iowarush.wufoo.com/forms/rescheduling-request-form/
• For ages u5 and u6, you should contact the opposing coach directly and organize a reschedule date and time.

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Player Development

U5-U6 Player Development

• The activities are designed to fit the developmental level of the children
• The ratio is mostly 1 ball: 1 player, encouraging more touches on the ball, confidence and the ability to socially interact
• Ballnastics incorporates coordination, flexibility, balance, and vision
• Training sessions should be no more than 45-60 minutes as the players have a short attention span
• 3 players versus 3 players, no score is recorded, no goalkeeper, no referee
• Equal playing time

U7-U8 Player Development

• Emphasis on fundamental technical skills building the foundation for the future
• Players begin to understand group activities
• Introduce a partner into training activities
• Some concept of space and direction
• The game is the teacher
• 4 players versus 4 players
• No goalkeeper
• Equal playing time
• Referee is introduced

U9-U10 Player Development

• Simple to complex
• Small group activities and team games
• Players begin to understand the game through match situations
• Training session should have a common theme throughout practice
• Emphasis still needs to be on technical skills
• 6 players versus 6 players
• Goalkeeper is introduced

U11-U19 Player Development

• Fun but competitive
• Training session twice per week
• Compete within central Iowa
• 8 games per season
• 8 players versus 8 players (U11-U12)
• 11 players versus 11 players (U13 and above)

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Team Formation

The soccer year runs from August 1st to July 31st. Players are placed on teams according to their age on August 1st and are considered to be that age for the entire year. A Recreational Program Committee will be formed each season to create teams.

• U5: teams will be participating in a Pilot program this season where players will not be assigned to individual teams.
  • (More information needed- “see age group description sheet” or “players will be attending training days and game days organized by professional coaches at pre-organized timeslots”, etc)
• U6, U7 and U8: teams will be formed randomly each season (Fall & Spring). 
  • This allows players to play with others they may have not have had the chance to play with in the past.
  • Goal: increase player challenges, foster new friendships, increase player comfort in playing with different players or for different coaches and to unify club overall as a club- not a group of teams under one name [strengthen soccer community and culture within club]. 

• U-9 and above: Once teams are formed at U-9 and above every effort will be made to keep teams together from season to season. Some exceptions to this policy may be:
  • Players who register late forfeit team placement.
  • True age players take priority to players who have played up in past seasons.
  • Number of registrants may cause for teams to reshuffle.
  • There may be situations where co-ed teams will be formed in order to create sufficient roster sizes.
  • Player sat out for a season and is returning to play
  • A "new" player and is not guaranteed a spot on his/her previous team.A new player is defined as:

• 1) a player new to the club
• 2) a player that has not played one or more seasons (for any reason)

Additional Recreation Team Information

• Once team assignments have been given, the Club will not make any adjustments to the rosters other than adding new players to teams.

• The following coaching structure will be used for each age group:

• U-5 –Training and Games organized by Professional Coaches
• U-6, U-7 & U-8 - One head coach (Parent Volunteer)
• U-9 to U-11 - One head coach and one assistant coach (Parent Volunteers)
• U-12 and above - One head coach and two assistant coaches (Parent Volunteers)
• Parents may request that their child play up one age group. Requests to move up an age group will require a review from the Recreational Program committee; please submit this request to the Recreational Registrar via email.
• Iowa Rush will register all players through the Iowa Soccer Association (ISA) thus providing all players with insurance coverage.
• All U5, U6, U7 and U8 league games will be played in Ankeny against other Iowa RUSH players. U-9 and above teams will be included in the Greater Des Moines Junior Soccer League and play up to half of their league games around the Great Des Moines Area.
• All recreational players and teams registered and/or rostered through the Iowa Rush will be required to wear the Official Iowa Rush uniform.

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