Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the sign-up deadline?
A: The Fall sign-up deadline is July 1st. The Spring sign-up deadline is February 15th.
Q: How old does my child need to be to play JSA?
A: Children must turn four during the school year for the soccer session you are signing up for.
Q: How many games do you play?
A: We play six games in the Fall and six games in the Spring, followed by the Brian Luber Jamboree, which usually consists of two to four extra games.
Q: What equipment do I need?
A: The only required equipment is shin-guards. Many players wear soccer cleats, but they are not mandatory. We provide uniform t-shirts, and most players wear shorts or sweat-pants. A soccer ball is also helpful for practice.
Q: What size ball do I need?
A: The U-6 age group uses a size 3 ball. U-8 and U-11 both use a size 4, and U-14 uses a size 5 ball.
Q: Do boys and girls play together?
A: The U-6 and U-14 age groups are co-ed. U-8 and U-11 split the boys and girls up separately.
Q: What does the “U” mean in all of these age groups?
A: We use the U-6, U-8, U-11 and U-14 because that is the terminology that is used in competitive travel soccer. The “U” means “Under” and the date used to figure a player’s age is July 31st of each year. For example, a child born on July 10, 2001 would be 10 years old on July 31, 2011 and would therefore be a “U-11″ player for travel soccer. A child born just one month later, on August 10, 2001, would be only 9 years old on July 31, 2011, so would be considered a “U-10″ player because she is “Under 10.” Again, these are carryovers from competitive travel soccer, which is NOT what JSA is. Since JSA is a recreational league, the board decided long ago to go by grade level in school. U-6 is for Kindergarten and under. U-8 is for 1st & 2nd graders. U-11 is for 3rd through 5th grades and U-14 is for 6th through 8th grade.
Q: It seems like I signed up ages ago – how come I haven’t heard from anyone yet?
A: There is a long delay between our application deadline of July 1st and the date when coaches receive their rosters and begin calling their players. The JSA Commissioners use this time to try to find willing coaches and sponsors and then to put the teams together. This year we hope to have all of the rosters out to coaches by August 20th. We will ask coaches to contact their players no later than August 26th.
Q: When does the season begin?
A: Fall games usually start the Saturday after Labor Day and run for six consecutive weeks. Spring games usually start on the last Saturday of March or the first Saturday of April and run for six consecutive weeks, followed by one extra week for the Brian Luber Jamboree. (The board determines start dates each year, so these are just general guidelines for informational purposes)
Q: Do you have a league for high-school ages or older?
A: Yes, JSA offers a co-ed “Adult League” in the summer that is open to anyone entering high school or older. The league typically plays once a week on Sunday or Monday nights for eight consecutive weeks, starting the first week of June. For more information, call Steve West at 217-473-3341.
Q: It's a few days past the deadline is there anyway my child can be added to a team?
A: No, we are sorry but late applications are not accepted. We strive to make everyone happy and we hate turning people away but with all of the steps that take place before the season is started it is just too hard to add a child in late.
Q: When is the sign-up deadline?
A: The Fall sign-up deadline is July 1st. The Spring sign-up deadline is February 15th.
Q: How old does my child need to be to play JSA?
A: Children must turn four during the school year for the soccer session you are signing up for.
Q: How many games do you play?
A: We play six games in the Fall and six games in the Spring, followed by the Brian Luber Jamboree, which usually consists of two to four extra games.
Q: What equipment do I need?
A: The only required equipment is shin-guards. Many players wear soccer cleats, but they are not mandatory. We provide uniform t-shirts, and most players wear shorts or sweat-pants. A soccer ball is also helpful for practice.
Q: What size ball do I need?
A: The U-6 age group uses a size 3 ball. U-8 and U-11 both use a size 4, and U-14 uses a size 5 ball.
Q: Do boys and girls play together?
A: The U-6 and U-14 age groups are co-ed. U-8 and U-11 split the boys and girls up separately.
Q: What does the “U” mean in all of these age groups?
A: We use the U-6, U-8, U-11 and U-14 because that is the terminology that is used in competitive travel soccer. The “U” means “Under” and the date used to figure a player’s age is July 31st of each year. For example, a child born on July 10, 2001 would be 10 years old on July 31, 2011 and would therefore be a “U-11″ player for travel soccer. A child born just one month later, on August 10, 2001, would be only 9 years old on July 31, 2011, so would be considered a “U-10″ player because she is “Under 10.” Again, these are carryovers from competitive travel soccer, which is NOT what JSA is. Since JSA is a recreational league, the board decided long ago to go by grade level in school. U-6 is for Kindergarten and under. U-8 is for 1st & 2nd graders. U-11 is for 3rd through 5th grades and U-14 is for 6th through 8th grade.
Q: It seems like I signed up ages ago – how come I haven’t heard from anyone yet?
A: There is a long delay between our application deadline of July 1st and the date when coaches receive their rosters and begin calling their players. The JSA Commissioners use this time to try to find willing coaches and sponsors and then to put the teams together. This year we hope to have all of the rosters out to coaches by August 20th. We will ask coaches to contact their players no later than August 26th.
Q: When does the season begin?
A: Fall games usually start the Saturday after Labor Day and run for six consecutive weeks. Spring games usually start on the last Saturday of March or the first Saturday of April and run for six consecutive weeks, followed by one extra week for the Brian Luber Jamboree. (The board determines start dates each year, so these are just general guidelines for informational purposes)
Q: Do you have a league for high-school ages or older?
A: Yes, JSA offers a co-ed “Adult League” in the summer that is open to anyone entering high school or older. The league typically plays once a week on Sunday or Monday nights for eight consecutive weeks, starting the first week of June. For more information, call Steve West at 217-473-3341.
Q: It's a few days past the deadline is there anyway my child can be added to a team?
A: No, we are sorry but late applications are not accepted. We strive to make everyone happy and we hate turning people away but with all of the steps that take place before the season is started it is just too hard to add a child in late.
