Competitive Overview
Coaching Philosophy
The coaching philosphy of the Boulder County Force is individual technical skills development at the younger ages with a progression of high level of tactics introduced at appropriate ages and levels. In youth competitive soccer, winning is important, but it is not the measure of success for the program; we are developing soccer players with the skills to play at their highest level. Every BCF competitive team is trained by a coach who meets or exceed the club’s high standards for coaching. Players are introduced to a high level of play and coaching at a young age. Every BCF player has the opportunity to be trained by the Pro Staff Coaches. BCF competitive players are placed in either the Elite Program or the Advance Program.
The Boulder County Force is the only club in Boulder County and the North Metro area with a Director of Coaching and Pro Staff coaches hired specifically to provide additional training to 2nd-4th tiered competitive teams.
Commitment
U11 - U14 boys and girls teams play two seasons (fall and spring), and high school girls U15-18 teams play club soccer in the fall and summer, and boys U15-18 teams play club soccer in the spring and summer. Many BCF players choose to participate in addition skills clinics, camps and training.
Playing Time
Coaches decide how much playing time a player gets during games, which is dependent on attendance at practices, commitment, performance, attitude and effort. The Elite BCF teams place a higher emphasis on playing time based on performance and ability. For detailed description of the BCF playing time policy please download the Club’s policy manual.
Elite BCF Program - aka "Red Teams"
Elite teams represent the top 15-16 players in each age group. The emphasis for Elite teams is on developing players for the highest levels of competition and, therefore, they train with the BCF professional coaching staff three times a week, attend preseason camp and have a high expectation of committment to training. Elite level players demonstrate the athleticism, commitment, maturity, drive and character to become top level high school and college soccer players.
Example of Elite team participation:
> Practice three times a week during the season in a BCF campus setting
> Participate at the highest competitive levels of state league competition
> Play a minimum of 4 tournaments a year including State Cup
> Practice and game play during spring break
> Preseason tournament play
> Preseason camp in August
> U11-U18 teams travel to at least one out of state tournament a year. The more "successful" a team is the more out-of-state travel they will do to maximize their development.
> Compete in the state, regional and national competition.
> Wear BCF issued practice jerseys
> Goalkeeper training from BCF Goalkeeper Coach
> Attend college showcase tournaments in high school years (2-5 a year)
> International Travel Program for high school age players.
> Attend summer camps
> Participate in winter training
> Aspire to play in Olympic Development Programs
Advance BCF Program, Team names: Barca, Tar Heels, Man U, Juve, Tar Heels, Pilots
The focus of Advance teams is the development of players looking for advanced professional training, competitive "travel" soccer and desire to compete at their appropriate competitive level. BCF fields 2-4 Advance teams in most age groups. Youth soccer players develop physically, athletically and technically at different rates. Many Elite level BCF players begin their competitive soccer at the Advance level.
Example of Advance team participation:
> Practice a minimum of twice a week.
> Additional team training from Age Group Directors of Coaching
> Specific Advance Program training from Advance Program Director of Coaching and Pro Staff Trainers throughtout the season
> Participate at appropriate levels of state league competition
> Play a minimum of 2 tournaments.
