Recreational FAQs
Answers to the most common questions about our Recreational Programs
Q. What is Jamboree or Festival Style Soccer?
A jamboree is a festival-style competition format that eliminates the concept of fixed teams and rigid league schedules. Teams are formed each game-day by age group and skill level. The games are age-appropriate and are refereed by adult group leaders (like a coach) or by SAY Soccer referees. A typical session includes a short warm-up then the remainder of time playing. Players are divided into teams with colored pinnies and they play small-sided games according to US Soccer's Fall 2015 Player Development Intitiatives with respect to field size, duration of games, the number of players on each team, a "build out" line, and whether goalkeepers are used or not.
Q. What are the benefits of Jamboree Style games vs. the traditional Team Style games within recreational soccer?
Here is a list of proven benefits for the individual soccer players that participate in Jamboree Style games:
Kids play most if not all the time.
Kids can play and experience every position.
More touches on the ball means better technical skill development.
Kids play with players of different ages and experiences.
If they need to, players can be moved easily to play with other kids of similar skill levels.
Kids play with a variety of teammates.
No pressure environment means players take risks and experiment which leads to more creative players.
Players make their own plays without looking to the sidelines for direction from coaches or parents.
Jamborees are more fun.
More kids fall in love with the game.
Conversations after the game are about how much fun the player had instead of how well their team did.
Promotes physical activity and healthy, active lifestyles because kids are playing more.
Emphasis on sportsmanship, fair play, respect, and teamwork.
Allows kids with other interests and schedules to continue playing without sacrificing those interests or activities.
Allows kids to strike the right balance between sport and being kids.
Kids play when they want to play vs. a sense of duty when playing for a team.
It allows for a better life balance, especially when conflicts with outside interests arise.
Q. What is the "Times Two" Policy?
As a Soccer Association for Youth (SAY) affiliate, we adhere to their "Times Two" policy which requires no less than two adults (unrelated) per team be present at all team functions such as games, practices, picnics, parties, etc. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Under no circumstances should the activity take place if only one adult is present. This also means that no less than two adults must remain until the last player has been picked up by their parent. The two adults do not have to be coaches - they can be a combination of coaches and parents.
SAY has also recommended that volunteers not provide transportation for non-family members. This was more of an insurance issue, but now also has implications in regard to the intent of the "Times Two" policy. While the focus of this policy is the child's safety, it also provides protection to our volunteers in case of misunderstandings.
NOTE TO PARENTS - It is the expectation that a parent remain at practice with their child. For liability purposes, players are not to be "dropped off" at practice/games without the permission of the team head coach.
Q. Why are all of your recreational programs coed?
We have done extensive research on this subject over the past few years, and in 2019 we posted a blog entry on this subject. You can learn more about how coed soccer helps ALL players to be not only better at the game of soccer, but perhaps better versions of themselves at the link below.
Why Coed Soccer Teams - https://www.cusarecsoccer.com/post/why-coed-soccer-teams