U11- U18 Competitive Program:
Tier 1 and Tier 2 Overview Statement
Overview: In order to provide differentiated experiences for BCF players, the Club has adopted a tiered system that guides the structure and experience of teams in the club.
The Tier 1 program is intended to cultivate a pool of 30-40 players at each age group that have made a commitment to train throughout the year, three days per week during season (not including matches), and at a high level of intensity and intent. While the expectation is that Tier 1 teams will play 4 tournaments a year, it is not uncommon for teams to play up to 6 tournaments per year both in and outside of the state of Colorado. The expectation of the club is that Tier 1 teams at every age group will compete at the highest level of competitive soccer in the state of Colorado. The intent of the Tier 1 program is to provide BCF players with the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological training to enable them to continue their playing careers at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.
The Tier 2 program is intended to support a wider range of players, both in terms of their playing ability, and also in terms of the time and financial commitments they are willing to devote to organized youth soccer. Tier 2 teams practice seasonally, twice per week, and often play in tournaments as agreed upon by coaches, players, and parents. The goal of the Tier 2 program is to continue to foster a love of the sport in players, to develop the technical, tactical, physical, and psychological strengths of BCF players, and to ensure that those players who have the desire are able to successfully pursue higher levels of soccer on Tier 1 teams, on high school teams, and playing experiences beyond high school (collegiate soccer, adult soccer, etc.).
Player Identification
Tryouts are used to select players for teams across all age groups. While no tryout is perfect, BCF staff work diligently (not only at the tryout, but across the seasons as well), to place players on teams appropriately. It is the goal of BCF to provide each player with a soccer experience that is at an appropriate level of challenge, and provides great opportunity for growth. There is vertical movement within the tiered structure. With each new tryout, some players move from Tier 2 teams to Tier 1 teams, and vice versa. With respect to Tier 1 teams, BCF staff members seek to select the most advanced players (technically, tactically, physically, and psychologically) with the intent of building teams that can compete at the highest levels in Colorado, regionally, and across the country. Hence, although the system does not always function perfectly in every case, it is the goal to place the top 14-16 players in an age group on the top Tier 1 team (e.g., Red 1, Buffs 1), the next best 14-16 players on the second team, and so on.
Tier 1: Program Details
The experiences of Tier 1 players will be different than those of Tier 2 players. Most notably, Tier 1 players train more often during the season that their Tier 2 peers, and for a longer period of time throughout the year. Other features of the BCF Tier 1 experience include:
• An emphasis on developing exceptional soccer players that compete at the highest competitive youth levels, while upholding the standard of the BCF Vision and Values.
• A high level of commitment that progressively increases as the players move from U11 to U18 soccer.
• A minimum of 3 practices per week during the official season (August-November and February-June), with opportunities to play within the club for 10 months per year (U11-U14) or 8 months per year (U15-U18).
• Professional coaching, with specific focus on developing the total soccer athlete as articulated by the United States Soccer Federations’ four pillars of development: Technical, Tactical, Physical and Psychological.
• Tier 1 coaches are encouraged and supported to advance their education and training through professional coaching development programs delivered not only through our club, but also through clinics and courses offered by the United States Soccer Federation and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
• Tier 1 teams play in a minimum of four tournaments including Winter Tournaments, College Showcase Events, Regional, and National tournaments.
• Seasonally, Age Group Directors of Coaching will observe and participate in the delivery of practices for U11-14 Tier 1 teams.
• Participation in Colorado Youth Soccer competitive league play
• Participation in the Colorado State Cup, or the Colorado President’s Cup. These two state tournaments are typically scheduled across one (or both) of the spring break weekends in late March.
• Tier 1 teams participate in winter training and summer team camps.
• Tier 1 teams often participate in international soccer tours or tournaments at the high school ages.
• Tier 1 players and families receive counseling and specific guidance toward college soccer playing opportunities and scholarships. BCF has developed over 200 players who have gone on to play at the college level.
• Tier 1 players have the opportunity to practice and guest-play (when appropriate) with other Tier 1 Competitive teams in the club. This could be teams within the age group, or teams at a higher age level as well. For example, a motivated U13 player can supplement his or her practice schedule with extra training on separate days with a U14 BCF team.
• Opportunities to participate in nutrition workshops, as well as resources provided through the club about health, wellness, and nutrition, are available to Tier 1 players.
• Tear 1 teams and players are provided with extensive administrative support through the BCF office.
• Every Tier 1 player receives an annual written player evaluation from his or her coach.
• Tier 1 players are eligible for need-based scholarships.
TIER 2: Program Details
The Tier 2 program is intended to support a wider range of players, both in terms of their playing ability, and also in terms of the time and financial commitments they are willing to devote to organized youth soccer. Features of the Tier 2 program include:
• Team training twice per week throughout fall and spring seasons.
• Emphasis on foundational skill development and the value of participation in competitive team sports.
• Optional Summer Team Camp.
• Tournament participation selected on a team-level basis, with support and guidance from the Age Group Directors of Coaching.
• Optional Summer and Winter Individual Camps/Clinics.
• The Director for Advanced Team (Tier 2) Training will observe and participate in the delivery of practices for U11-14 Tier 1 teams, as available, throughout the spring and fall seasons.
• Tier 2 Coaches are encouraged to advance their coaching education via USSF, NSCAA and BCF coaching education programs.
• Tear 2 teams and players are provided with extensive administrative support through the BCF office.
• Every Tier 2 player receives an annual written player evaluation from his or her coach.
• Need based scholarships are available for Tier 2 players.
Please call our soccer office at 303-443-8877 with any questions.
Click HERE for an explanation of our Tier 1 and Tier 2 team designation policy.
Click HERE for our 2011-12 Competitive Fee Structure.
