Recreational soccer is a large component of the Ellicott City Soccer Club. The primary objective of the CiTY Rec program is to provide a positive, low-pressure soccer experience for the youth of our community.
Recreational soccer is the CiTY team option for traditional soccer with the lowest commitment level, both in terms of time and cost.
Tryout: No Tryout for Recreational soccer. All players are placed on teams of 6-8 players for 1st and 2nd grade, 10-12 players for 3rd grade, and 12-16 player teams for 4th-5th grades. Players in TOTS and Middle School divisions will train together and be divided into even teams on match days. All teams are co-ed.
Why They Play: For fun, for exercise, to enjoy soccer in a less competitive environment.
Coaches: Volunteers. All CiTY coaches are background checked and trained.
Season Length: Fall season is early/mid-September through late October/early November. Spring season is late March through mid-May.
Practice Frequency: Once a week.
Practice Length: One hour.
Game Frequency 1 per week.
Divisions
Tots Division
1st and 2nd grade | Games are 4v4
Rec League
1st grade | Games are 4v4
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Rec League
2nd - 3rd Grade | Games are 7v7
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Rec League
4th - 5th grade and MS | Games are 9v9
REC LEAGUE
6th - 8th grade | Games are 9v9
Playing Time Policy
All Recreational players are entitled to play at least 50% of the game. Coaches will manage substitutions accordingly to ensure minimum playing time for each player is met
Sideline, Game and Training Policies
- During games and practices, spectators may sit on the side of the field or in the bleachers.
- Spectators may not sit or stand behind the goals or on the end lines, or in the area between fields designated for coaches and players.
- Positive cheering is encouraged. Please refrain from coaching from the sidelines. “Good job!” is positive cheering. “Stay back on defense!” is coaching from the sidelines.
- Criticism of players, coaches, or referees is prohibited.
- Dogs are prohibited from practices and games. Any person bringing a dog to the field will be asked to take the pet home or to stay at least 50 yards away from the field. This is for the safety of the pet as well as the players and other spectators at the field.
Please visit the CiTY Policies page for more info!
CiTY Spring 2023 REC
Practice Locations: Chapelgate and HCPSS grass fields
*Most teams train on Tuesday evenings at Chapelgate, though some teams in the 1st through 5th divisions may train at an alternate location or on a different day of the week. In such cases, practice details will be determined by the coach of that team based on the coach's availability and the availability of fields convenient to the coach and players on that team.
REC Kickoff
Chapelgate - Saturday, March 25
Practice Dates
Tots, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th:
Tuesdays - April 11, 18, 25; May 2, 9, 16, 23; Rain date - May 30
6th-8th (Middle School):
Wednesday - April 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10, 17, 24; Rain date - May 31
Practice Times:
5:30-6:30 or 6:00-7:00 (depending on location)
Game Dates
Saturdays only
April 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20
Makeup - June 3
Game Locations: Chapelgate
Game Times: 9:00 am-1:00 pm, exact times TBD
Coaches: CiTY staff coaches and Volunteer coaches
Volunteer CiTY REC Coaches
Recreational Soccer Fees
TOTS (pre-K and K)
$199
**$169 Early bird until Jan. 1 for Spring; July 1st for Fall
REC League (1st-3rd division, 4th-5th division, and 6th-8th division)
$239
**$209 Early bird until Jan. 1 for Spring; July 1st for Fall
REC Teammate Request - Players in the same age/grade bracket can request to play on the same team as their friend, sibling or classmate. This request is made during the online registration process.
REC Volunteer Coach Request - Players in the same age/grade backet can request to play on a Volunteer Coach’s team. This request is made during the online registration process.
CiTY REC Referral Program - When a new CiTY family registers for REC and puts your name in the referral box, we put a credit in your CiTY account. CiTY credits can be used towards any future CiTY program (including travel fees and future REC registrations) and never expire. The CiTY family will continue to grow with your help!