Frequently Asked Questions

Football players can be from six years old starting first grade up to fourteen years old entering eighth grade. There is no weight limit for our league.

PJC has two levels of cheer/pom. The traveling league cheer /pom children start in the fourth grade through the eighth grade. They make the team by going to two days of clinic and then trying out. The Inhouse teams allow children entering first grade through eighth grade to participate.

The traveling teams practice start in August. The teams practice five days a week from 6:00pm to 8:00pm until school starts. After school begins practice times will be from 6:00pm to 7:30 pm three nights a week. In house teams will be practicing three nights a week until school starts then it will be two nights a week. The days that the teams will practice will be determined from your volunteer coach.

The travel teams will have to travel to only four away games for the season teams could be going to games as far away as Crystal Lake. All of the in house games will be played at Four Season Park in Plainfield.

All football teams within PJC are based on child's age & weight. The first teams we field at each level is the Travel teams, They will play in the Pac 10 division,( two teams, one in Premier and one in Elite) which is intended to be most competitive. Placement on these teams depend on both age & weight, as well as, the skill level of the child. The coaches will determine the teams in mid-July. The other players will be placed in a pool for their age and weight group and divided into teams, trying to make the skill level and experience equal on each team.

Practice for the first week of preseason is called conditioning.. There will be no contact during the first week period. Practices will begin with exercises/calisthenics and running for the first hour, the second hour of practice will consist of football drills and concentration techniques. Preseason is a lot of hard work so encourage your child to 'tough it out', the reward for all their hard work will be playing in his/her weekly games.

The second week of practice is when the fun begins. Your son/daughter will be wearing full football gear to practice and will be learning and practicing football techniques: blocking, tackling, passing and running. They will also be learning many football formations and plays.

Parents will have to supply the football helmet costing from 49-71 dollars if bought at signup. You can also purchase it from local sporting goods store or Play IT Again Sports in Naperville. You must have practice pants which cost $11.00 dollars. The male players must wear a cup and athletic supporter. First year players in the program will be give all the other pads required to play. If you played last year you were given these pads to keep the end of the season.

If your child has any health problems or concerns such as asthma, allergies to bee stings, etc., please make sure that he/she has their medication available to them during practices (clearly marked with their names) and that the coaches are aware of your child's health concerns.

We are aware that summer is vacation time for many families. All we ask is that you advise your child's coach as to when you will be on vacation. There will be time for your child to get up to speed on his/her return.

We are aware that children have other responsibilities, please contact your child's coach whenever your child will be unable to make it to practice. If your child will be leaving early/arriving late due to religious classes, etc. please make your child's coach aware of this, in advance.

Each child must have 10 hours (5 days) of conditioning practice before he/she will be allowed to practice in pads. This is for your child's safety and it is a state law. Each coach will keep track of how many practices each child attends to ensure that all children meet this requirement.

PJC receive schedules from the league that we are affiliated with. Once we receive the schedules for the travel teams we will set the schedule for Inhouse, schedule are usually given to us in July. We will also include maps to the various fields where the games are to be held.

All the PJC coaches are trained through the NAYS (National Alliance of Youth Sports). The coaches also have numerous coaches clinics that they can attend throughout the year.

In the case of thunder/lightening all practices will be immediately cancelled mid-stride. It is imperative that you pick up your child immediately as there is no shelter at Knox Park. Please be aware of the approach of storms during practices.

You can get more involved by contacting any board member, or attend any board meeting. These board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm.


	MR. Z'S AND FUNDRAISERS \| HOME PLAINFIELD JUNIOR CATS \| Calendar \| Board Members \| Travel Football \| Weight Chart \| Cheer/Pom \| 17 Tips to be a better spectator \| PJC Inhouse Football \| PJC Inhouse Cheer/Pom \| Registration \| Presidents Letter \| Contact Us \| Fundraiser \| SCHEDULE \| PJC Mission Statement \| Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions What are the ages that can play football? Football players can be from six years old starting first grade up to fourteen years old entering eighth grade. There is no weight limit for our league. What are the ages that can cheer/pom? PJC has two levels of cheer/pom. The traveling league cheer /pom children start in the fourth grade through the eighth grade. They make the team by going to two days of clinic and then trying out. The Inhouse teams allow children entering first grade through eighth grade to participate. When will practice be? The traveling teams practice start in August. The teams practice five days a week from 6:00pm to 8:00pm until school starts. After school begins practice times will be from 6:00pm to 7:30 pm three nights a week. In house teams will be practicing three nights a week until school starts then it will be two nights a week. The days that the teams will practice will be determined from your volunteer coach. Where will the games be? The travel teams will have to travel to only four away games for the season teams could be going to games as far away as Crystal Lake. All of the in house games will be played at Four Season Park in Plainfield. What team will my child play on? All football teams within PJC are based on child's age & weight. The first teams we field at each level is the Travel teams, They will play in the Pac 10 division,( two teams, one in Premier and one in Elite) which is intended to be most competitive. Placement on these teams depend on both age & weight, as well as, the skill level of the child. The coaches will determine the teams in mid-July. The other players will be placed in a pool for their age and weight group and divided into teams, trying to make the skill level and experience equal on each team. What happens during preseason? Practice for the first week of preseason is called conditioning.. There will be no contact during the first week period. Practices will begin with exercises/calisthenics and running for the first hour, the second hour of practice will consist of football drills and concentration techniques. Preseason is a lot of hard work so encourage your child to 'tough it out', the reward for all their hard work will be playing in his/her weekly games. The second week of practice is when the fun begins. Your son/daughter will be wearing full football gear to practice and will be learning and practicing football techniques: blocking, tackling, passing and running. They will also be learning many football formations and plays. What do I need for my child to play football? Parents will have to supply the football helmet costing from 49-71 dollars if bought at signup. You can also purchase it from local sporting goods store or Play IT Again Sports in Naperville. You must have practice pants which cost $11.00 dollars. The male players must wear a cup and athletic supporter. First year players in the program will be give all the other pads required to play. If you played last year you were given these pads to keep the end of the season. What if my child has health problems/allergies? If your child has any health problems or concerns such as asthma, allergies to bee stings, etc., please make sure that he/she has their medication available to them during practices (clearly marked with their names) and that the coaches are aware of your child's health concerns. What if we are going on vacation during part of preseason? We are aware that summer is vacation time for many families. All we ask is that you advise your child's coach as to when you will be on vacation. There will be time for your child to get up to speed on his/her return. What if my child cannot make a practice? We are aware that children have other responsibilities, please contact your child's coach whenever your child will be unable to make it to practice. If your child will be leaving early/arriving late due to religious classes, etc. please make your child's coach aware of this, in advance. When will my child be able to practice with his/her equipment? Each child must have 10 hours (5 days) of conditioning practice before he/she will be allowed to practice in pads. This is for your child's safety and it is a state law. Each coach will keep track of how many practices each child attends to ensure that all children meet this requirement. When will we get a game schedule? PJC receive schedules from the league that we are affiliated with. Once we receive the schedules for the travel teams we will set the schedule for Inhouse, schedule are usually given to us in July. We will also include maps to the various fields where the games are to be held. Do the coaches receive training? All the PJC coaches are trained through the NAYS (National Alliance of Youth Sports). The coaches also have numerous coaches clinics that they can attend throughout the year. What happens in the case of inclement weather? In the case of thunder/lightening all practices will be immediately cancelled mid-stride. It is imperative that you pick up your child immediately as there is no shelter at Knox Park. Please be aware of the approach of storms during practices. How can I get more involved in PJC? You can get more involved by contacting any board member, or attend any board meeting. These board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm.