JOÜK FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions for Soccer Parents

What is JOÜK?

JOÜK is an early development soccer program designed to help young players build strong fundamental skills before they compete on teams.

Our Technical Development Program (TDP) starts with coordination and ball mastery, the building blocks kids need for any position.

We teach in small groups with 1-on-1 attention from highly-trained coaches, and every child gets plenty of time with a ball. We also use fun games, music, futsal, futnet, and footvolley to help kids develop skills and enjoy the sport.

Where does JOÜK practice?

Currently, we practice at fields in Central Park and gyms on the Upper East Side.

WhICH ages CAN PARTICIPATE IN JOÜK?

We train ages 3-10 in groups and 3-16 individually.

How long are training sessions?

From 40 minutes to 2 hours, depending on age. Most sessions last an hour.

What should my child bring to the sessions?

Your child should bring:

A soccer ball sized for their age (see below)
Flat sneakers (indoors/outdoors) or turf shoes (outdoors)
Shin guards
Athletic clothing
Their JOÜK t-shirt
Water.

Please note: No cleats are allowed, as per Parks Department rules.

What size ball should my child use?

Here are two simple size charts for soccer balls (outdoor) and futsal balls. If your child is very big or small for their age, you may want to go up or down a size.

SOCCER BALLS (outdoor)

Size 1: Toddlers up to age 3
Size 2: Ages 3-5
Size 3: Ages 5-8
Size 4: Ages 8-12
Size 5: Above 12 years old, including all adults

FUTSAL BALLS:

Size 3: Ages 3-10
Size 4: Ages 11 and older

Is JOÜK year-round?

Yes, JOÜK offers training sessions all year, including during the summer.

What is the cost of training?

Small group sessions usually last 7-10 weeks and are paid as a package. The cost comes out to about $45-$60 per session per player.

What is the CANCELLATION POLICY?

Jouk LLC reserves the right to cancel a program due to insufficient registration, with a full or pro-rata refund.

ARE THERE MAKEUP SESSIONS FOR RAINED-OUT PRACTICES?

Yes—we can reschedule up to two practices per season that were canceled for weather-related reasons (rain, snow, air quality, etc.)

WHAT IS YOUR REFUND POLICY?

Request for refunds must be submitted in writing no later than 1 week before a class or program begins. No refunds will be given after this date except if the player is not medically able to participate, in which case refunds may be given on a pro-rated, case-by-case basis. There is the greater of 10% or $75 cancellation fee applied to all refunds. Please allow up to 4 weeks for processing. To submit a refund request email, jouk.soccer@gmail.com

Does JOÜK offer financial aid?

Financial aid is available on a need basis. Please inquire directly at jouk.soccer@gmail.com

What if my child is sick?

Jouk LLC wants all children to come and play when they are feeling their best. Please keep sick children home to recover—this will reduce the likeliness of personal injury and the spread of illness to others. We reserve the right to send a child home to get well at our sole discretion. Basic first aid for minor injuries is available at all programs.

Does JOÜK have competitive teams?

Our Centaurus FC competitive teams play league games and tournaments within NYC. The 2024-2025 season includes U7, U8, and U10 boys and girls teams.

What does “U6” or “U7” mean?

“U” stands for “Under”--so “U6” means “Under 6”.

Youth soccer team divisions are set up by the year children are born. Currently, U6 children are born in 2017, meaning they will turn 6 sometime during 2023.

To figure out which age group your child belongs in, calculate their age on January 1 of this current year. If it’s 5, they belong in U6. If it’s 6, they belong in U7, etc.

Why do you encourage kids to play futsal (indoor soccer) together with soccer?

Futsal creates big leaps forward for kids in agility, quick thinking, and ball skills, so it’s a key part of what makes our training so effective. Parents often tell us they’re amazed at how much their kids learned in just one season.

Futsal is played in a smaller space, so kids must think faster. A futsal ball also has 60 percent less bounce. Similar to tennis, where kids start with less bouncy balls, futsal can help children master skills with a ball that’s easier to control.

(Read more about futsal’s benefits here.)

What’s different about JOÜK’s way of teaching?

Just like learning to read or learning to play an instrument, learning soccer happens step by step. If a child is taught certain key skills first, and given time to master them, everything else follows! So we don’t send kids to compete right off the bat. We believe that would be like having them play in an orchestra concert the first week they pick up a violin. Our philosophy is, to learn individual skills first, then join a team.

What are some benefits of soccer for young kids?

Soccer is a great sport for small kids because it works on so many different skills (and is super fun!) Coordination, agility, speed, endurance, strength, rhythm, confidence, creativity, socializing, collaboration, quick thinking, and mental focus, all get developed when young children start playing soccer.

What is soccer culture?

Futnet with Coach Walter

When your child learns soccer, they join a world culture that links them to people all over the globe!

At JOÜK, students become “football literate,” learning about famous players, moves, and different countries and teams.

They’ll also try some of the world’s soccer-related sports including futsal, futnet, panna, and footvolley.

How can I best help my child learn to play soccer and enjoy the game?

We’ve got a blog for you to read here!

What is your photography policy?

Any photographs taken of any participant at Jouk LLC programs and activities may be used for promotional purposes. Participants waive the right to inspect and/or approve the photographs.