Youth Programs
Rockbridge United Soccer Club Programs
Rockbridge United offers a comprehensive developmental pathway for players from 5 years old through 18. Programming provides the foundational training for players seeking to play at high levels of the game.
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Winter Indoor Programs
RUSC is offering 4 winter indoor programs. 8 weeks of training and games Mondays or Tuesdays with Saturday games. January 6/7-February 24/25. Check you account page to register!
ROCKBRIDGE UNITED – WINTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Rockbridge United is pleased to announce our 2025 winter development program. Our coaches will provide your child with highly creative, high energy and age-appropriate activities that help children master developmental milestones, appropriate for their age.
Our programs are designed to create an atmosphere that is fun and effective, and focuses on helping children build strong physical, social, cognitive, and emotional skills.
MINI KICKERS (U6/U5 birth years 2019-2020)
Lexington Baptist Church – 5:15-6:15, Tuesdays, January 7 – February 25.
Mini Kickers is Rockbridge United’s introductory program for young children. We introduce soccer to our youngest players in a FUN environment. The emphasis is on players developing control and comfort with the ball; “one player-one ball”.
Players will work on:
- Dribbling with the ball & changing directions
- Ball skills (Coerver skills – toe taps, roll overs, ring the bell…)
- Stopping and controlling the ball
Players will play fun interactive games while working on becoming better little soccer players!
The Mini Kickers program also introduces players to basic agility like jumping, running sideways, backwards, and balance on one foot. Most of all players have fun in this stress-free sports environment.
Players meet twice a week – one practice during the week and a game on the weekends
LITTLE KICKERS (U8/U7 birth years 2017-2018)
Lexington Baptist Church – 4:00-5:00, Tuesdays, January 7 – February 25.
Little Kickers is Rockbridge United’s second step in young player development. Players continue to develop and master the skills achieved in Mini-Kicks. Emphasis is still on players developing comfort with the ball.
Our Little Kickers program focuses on the introduction and development of soccer skills, agility, and knowledge of the game. This is done in a safe and FUN environment for new players or returning players building their skills.
Players will work on:
- Dribbling with the ball & changing directions
- Ball skills (Coerver skills – toe taps, roll overs, ring the bell…)
- Stopping and controlling the ball
- Individual moves – 1v1 play
- Kicking the ball – passing and shooting
Little Kickers will dribble and kick their way through a fun program designed to teach players all the fundamental tools they need to one day be a star player.
Players meet twice a week – one practice during the week and a game on the weekends
KICKERS (U11-U9 birth years 2014-2016)
Lexington Baptist Church – 6:30-7:45, Tuesdays, January 7 – February 25.
Kickers is Rockbridge United’s third step in young player development. Players continue to develop and master skills achieved in our previous program but also start the process of “learning the game”.
Our Kickers program introduces players to team play, incorporating small sided 2v2 games into the learning process. Players learn spacing, combination play (give and go’s) and supporting play.
Players will work on:
- Dribbling with the ball, changing directions, shielding, turns
- Ball skills (Coerver skills – pull backs, v-cuts, stepovers…)
- Receiving the ball
- Individual moves – 1v1 play
- Team concepts – 2v1, 2v2 play
Kickers will learn how to “share” the ball and play with their teammates. Fun, intuitive games will create an exciting learning atmosphere.
Players meet twice a week – one practice during the week and a game on the weekends
U13/U12 Indoor (birth years 2012-2013)
Lexington Baptist Church – Mondays or Tuesdays Jan 6/7-Feb 24/25.
Winter Indoor training and games for new and current RUSC players born 2012-2013.
Players will work on:
- Dribbling with the ball, changing directions, shielding, turns
- Ball skills (Coerver skills – pull backs, v-cuts, stepovers…)
- Receiving the ball
- Individual moves – 1v1 play
- Team concepts – 2v1, 2v2, up to 5v5 play
Players meet twice a week – one practice during the week and a game on the weekends
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RUSC Travel Program
U11-U19 Travel teams compete in the Virginia Premier Soccer League – NPL West Division as well as tournament play. This league features teams from other clubs in the western area of the state of Virginia.
Travel Teams practice two times per week with matches on the weekends (mostly Saturdays, but some Sunday play is possible). This involves an 8-10 game season, half of which are played in Lexington or Rockbridge County. Teams are expected to compete in one tournament per season.
Teams in the U11 through U14 age groups are expected to participate in both the fall and spring seasons. Players at this level often progress on to play high school soccer. Therefore, U15 and older teams will only participate in the fall season to avoid conflicts with high school play.
These are select teams for which players must try out. Players who do not make the game roster may be invited to join as practice players at a reduced cost.
-
U10 Challenge Program
Players born in the U9 and U10 age groups will be organized into teams in order to compete in the Challenge program. Players must be selected for this program and are expected to compete at an advanced level of play for these age groups. These teams compete in a league with other teams of this age group from the Augusta County and Harrisonburg areas.
Teams train twice per week as a team and play 8 to 10 matches per season. Matches are to be played in Lexington and the Augusta County area on U10 appropriate fields and US Soccer approved rules of play.
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U5 Academy & U6-U8 League
Rockbridge United U5 Academy. Our developmental academy for young players. All skill levels welcome. 8 fall sessions, 8 spring sessions.
Rockbridge United U6-U8 League. Our developmental academy for young players. All skill levels welcome. 8 weeks of practice, 6 games, fall and spring seasons.
RUSC coaches develop players’ dribbling, passing, receiving, and shooting skills through age-appropriate exercises and small-sided games.
RUSC T-Shirt included!
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Advanced Training Program
The Advanced Training Program (ATP) enhances the skill development of individual players through active training games and fun, skill-building activities. ATP is a great way for players to get an extra, quality training session each week. Typically each training session will be composed of three main parts: individual technical skill development, small group training activities specific to the daily topic, and small sided game play.
The program is targeted toward eager players seeking advancement and is accepting boys and girls, U8 through U12 age groups. Training is conducted by certified RUSC staff members headed by Technical Director and VMI Men’s Head Coach Nick Regan. ATP sessions and training groups are limited in size to ensure appropriate coach-to-player ratio. The program will run for six weeks meeting at the same day, location and time.
-
2024-2025 Age Groups
US Soccer organizes youth players in age groups that are determined by the year the players was born. Age groups are used to ensure appropriate rules of play and developmental principles are adhered to.
2024-25 Birth Year Age Groups
U5 – 2020
U6/7/8 – 2019 – 2017
U10 – 2016 & 2015
U11 – 2014
U12 – 2013
U13 – 2012
U14 – 2011
U15 – 2010
U16 – 2009
U17 – 2008
U18 – 2007
U19 – 2006
- Winter Indoor Programs
- RUSC Travel Program
- U10 Challenge Program
- U5 Academy & U6-U8 League
- Advanced Training Program
- 2024-2025 Age Groups
Winter Indoor Programs
RUSC is offering 4 winter indoor programs. 8 weeks of training and games Mondays or Tuesdays with Saturday games. January 6/7-February 24/25. Check you account page to register!
ROCKBRIDGE UNITED – WINTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Rockbridge United is pleased to announce our 2025 winter development program. Our coaches will provide your child with highly creative, high energy and age-appropriate activities that help children master developmental milestones, appropriate for their age.
Our programs are designed to create an atmosphere that is fun and effective, and focuses on helping children build strong physical, social, cognitive, and emotional skills.
MINI KICKERS (U6/U5 birth years 2019-2020)
Lexington Baptist Church – 5:15-6:15, Tuesdays, January 7 – February 25.
Mini Kickers is Rockbridge United’s introductory program for young children. We introduce soccer to our youngest players in a FUN environment. The emphasis is on players developing control and comfort with the ball; “one player-one ball”.
Players will work on:
- Dribbling with the ball & changing directions
- Ball skills (Coerver skills – toe taps, roll overs, ring the bell…)
- Stopping and controlling the ball
Players will play fun interactive games while working on becoming better little soccer players!
The Mini Kickers program also introduces players to basic agility like jumping, running sideways, backwards, and balance on one foot. Most of all players have fun in this stress-free sports environment.
Players meet twice a week – one practice during the week and a game on the weekends
LITTLE KICKERS (U8/U7 birth years 2017-2018)
Lexington Baptist Church – 4:00-5:00, Tuesdays, January 7 – February 25.
Little Kickers is Rockbridge United’s second step in young player development. Players continue to develop and master the skills achieved in Mini-Kicks. Emphasis is still on players developing comfort with the ball.
Our Little Kickers program focuses on the introduction and development of soccer skills, agility, and knowledge of the game. This is done in a safe and FUN environment for new players or returning players building their skills.
Players will work on:
- Dribbling with the ball & changing directions
- Ball skills (Coerver skills – toe taps, roll overs, ring the bell…)
- Stopping and controlling the ball
- Individual moves – 1v1 play
- Kicking the ball – passing and shooting
Little Kickers will dribble and kick their way through a fun program designed to teach players all the fundamental tools they need to one day be a star player.
Players meet twice a week – one practice during the week and a game on the weekends
KICKERS (U11-U9 birth years 2014-2016)
Lexington Baptist Church – 6:30-7:45, Tuesdays, January 7 – February 25.
Kickers is Rockbridge United’s third step in young player development. Players continue to develop and master skills achieved in our previous program but also start the process of “learning the game”.
Our Kickers program introduces players to team play, incorporating small sided 2v2 games into the learning process. Players learn spacing, combination play (give and go’s) and supporting play.
Players will work on:
- Dribbling with the ball, changing directions, shielding, turns
- Ball skills (Coerver skills – pull backs, v-cuts, stepovers…)
- Receiving the ball
- Individual moves – 1v1 play
- Team concepts – 2v1, 2v2 play
Kickers will learn how to “share” the ball and play with their teammates. Fun, intuitive games will create an exciting learning atmosphere.
Players meet twice a week – one practice during the week and a game on the weekends
U13/U12 Indoor (birth years 2012-2013)
Lexington Baptist Church – Mondays or Tuesdays Jan 6/7-Feb 24/25.
Winter Indoor training and games for new and current RUSC players born 2012-2013.
Players will work on:
- Dribbling with the ball, changing directions, shielding, turns
- Ball skills (Coerver skills – pull backs, v-cuts, stepovers…)
- Receiving the ball
- Individual moves – 1v1 play
- Team concepts – 2v1, 2v2, up to 5v5 play
Players meet twice a week – one practice during the week and a game on the weekends
RUSC Travel Program
U11-U19 Travel teams compete in the Virginia Premier Soccer League – NPL West Division as well as tournament play. This league features teams from other clubs in the western area of the state of Virginia.
Travel Teams practice two times per week with matches on the weekends (mostly Saturdays, but some Sunday play is possible). This involves an 8-10 game season, half of which are played in Lexington or Rockbridge County. Teams are expected to compete in one tournament per season.
Teams in the U11 through U14 age groups are expected to participate in both the fall and spring seasons. Players at this level often progress on to play high school soccer. Therefore, U15 and older teams will only participate in the fall season to avoid conflicts with high school play.
These are select teams for which players must try out. Players who do not make the game roster may be invited to join as practice players at a reduced cost.
U10 Challenge Program
Players born in the U9 and U10 age groups will be organized into teams in order to compete in the Challenge program. Players must be selected for this program and are expected to compete at an advanced level of play for these age groups. These teams compete in a league with other teams of this age group from the Augusta County and Harrisonburg areas.
Teams train twice per week as a team and play 8 to 10 matches per season. Matches are to be played in Lexington and the Augusta County area on U10 appropriate fields and US Soccer approved rules of play.
U5 Academy & U6-U8 League
Rockbridge United U5 Academy. Our developmental academy for young players. All skill levels welcome. 8 fall sessions, 8 spring sessions.
Rockbridge United U6-U8 League. Our developmental academy for young players. All skill levels welcome. 8 weeks of practice, 6 games, fall and spring seasons.
RUSC coaches develop players’ dribbling, passing, receiving, and shooting skills through age-appropriate exercises and small-sided games.
RUSC T-Shirt included!
Advanced Training Program
The Advanced Training Program (ATP) enhances the skill development of individual players through active training games and fun, skill-building activities. ATP is a great way for players to get an extra, quality training session each week. Typically each training session will be composed of three main parts: individual technical skill development, small group training activities specific to the daily topic, and small sided game play.
The program is targeted toward eager players seeking advancement and is accepting boys and girls, U8 through U12 age groups. Training is conducted by certified RUSC staff members headed by Technical Director and VMI Men’s Head Coach Nick Regan. ATP sessions and training groups are limited in size to ensure appropriate coach-to-player ratio. The program will run for six weeks meeting at the same day, location and time.
2024-2025 Age Groups
US Soccer organizes youth players in age groups that are determined by the year the players was born. Age groups are used to ensure appropriate rules of play and developmental principles are adhered to.
2024-25 Birth Year Age Groups
U5 – 2020
U6/7/8 – 2019 – 2017
U10 – 2016 & 2015
U11 – 2014
U12 – 2013
U13 – 2012
U14 – 2011
U15 – 2010
U16 – 2009
U17 – 2008
U18 – 2007
U19 – 2006