RECREATIONAL

programs

RECREATIONAL PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Southern Soccer Academy’s Recreational Program is a developmental soccer program that provides an opportunity for both boys and girls from the Under 4 age group through the Under 19 age group to play soccer, regardless of ability and experience – there are no tryouts. Although healthy competition is a natural part of any sport, the primary focus of this program is on fun, participation, and player development. Southern Soccer Academy provides players of all ages a fun, purposeful, and challenging environment for each player to have the opportunity to reach his or her fullest potential.


SSA's Recreational Program offers a Spring season (starting in late Feb/early March and running through mid-May) and a Fall season (starting in late Aug/early Sept and running through mid-Nov). Registration for the Spring season opens December 1st and closes January 31st, with a waitlist beginning February 1st, while registration for the Fall season begins June 1st and closes July 31st, with a waitlist as of August 1st. 

AGE GROUPS FOR FALL 2026 SEASON BY YEAR AND MONTH OF BIRTH


Age groups are set by the US national governing body for soccer.

A player can play up an age group with admin approval but not down.


U4 U5 U6 U7 U8 U9 U10 U11 U12 U13 U14 U15 U16 U17 U18/19

8/1/22

8/1/21

8/1/20

8/1/19

8/1/18

8/1/17

8/1/16

8/1/15

8/1/14

8/1/13

8/1/12

8/1/11

8/1/10

8/1/09

8/1/07

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7/31/23

7/31/22

7/31/21

7/31/20

7/31/19

7/31/18

7/31/17

7/31/16

7/31/15

7/31/14

7/31/13

7/31/12

7/31/11

7/31/10

7/31/09

For details month-by-month to help determine your child's age group for the Fall 2026 season, please click HERE.

RECREATIONAL PROGRAM SUMMARY

For team formation and game scheduling purposes, the following age groups are combined:

U7 and U8; U9 and U10; U11 and U12; U13 and U14; U15 and U16; U17, U18, and U19.

U4 Program

The U4 program introduces children to the game of soccer in a fun and interactive way. A safe and positive environment is created in which children can learn the basic fundamentals, and develop a life long love of the game.


There are no head coaches and no set teams. Each co-ed session consists of a variety of age appropriate, soccer related activities and games to encourage players to participate, maximize enjoyment, and develop confidence with the ball.


Parent/guardian or an acceptable older sibling is required to be present at every session and strongly encouraged to participate to increase the child’s sense of comfort.

U5-U7 Pre-Academy

SSA's Pre-Academy is a unique soccer development program for U5-U7 soccer players, which aims to accelerate the technical and tactical development of players preparing to participate in the U8 academy program.

Click Here for More Information

U5

U5 provides an exciting introduction to soccer in a friendly and non-competitive environment. The program creates an enjoyable environment for players to develop their basic soccer skills and understanding of the game. Dribbling, shooting, and movement education, such as running, jumping, turning, and balancing are incorporated into age appropriate soccer activities.


This is the first age group that has teams and a volunteer head coach that conducts practice with support from the Recreational Director. Coed teams practice once a week for an hour and play regularly scheduled 3v3 mini-soccer games at the weekend.

U6

U5 provides an exciting introduction to soccer in a friendly and non-competitive environment. The program creates an enjoyable environment for players to develop their basic soccer skills and understanding of the game. Dribbling, shooting, and movement education, such as running, jumping, turning, and balancing are incorporated into age appropriate soccer activities.


This is the first age group that has teams and a volunteer head coach that conducts practice with support from the Recreational Director. Coed teams practice once a week for an hour and play regularly scheduled 3v3 mini-soccer games at the weekend.

Item Link

U7/U8

The U7/U8 continues to provide an exciting introduction to soccer in a friendly and non-competitive environment while consisting of a mixture of beginners and moderately experienced players. With this in mind, the program creates an enjoyable and challenging environment for players to develop their soccer skills and understanding of the game through reinforcing aspects of soccer coached in U6 and introducing players to more advanced aspects of soccer. Dribbling, shooting, passing, receiving, juggling and movement education, such as running, jumping, turning, and balancing are incorporated into age-appropriate soccer activities.


Players are placed in either Co-Ed teams, or boys' or all girls' teams (varies by location) who are led by volunteer head coach who conducts practice with support from the Recreational Director. All U8 teams practice once a week for an hour and play regularly scheduled 5v5 (including goalkeepers) small sided-soccer games at the weekend.

U9/U10

U10 creates a fun, soccer environment in which players learn to enjoy the game through greater skills. Individual player development continues to be the focus as team concepts are introduced. Fundamental soccer techniques are reinforced and players are introduced to individual and team tactics of the game through exposure to a variety of soccer positions. Principles of attacking and defending are incorporated into age appropriate soccer activities.


Players are placed in boys' or all girls' teams that are led by a volunteer head coach who conducts practice with support from the Recreational Director. Teams practice twice a week for an hour and play regularly scheduled 7v7 (including goalkeepers) soccer games at the weekends. All of the rules of soccer are in effect for games.


This is the first age group where referees are assigned, so referees will typically be under the age of 18 and will be in their first season of refereeing.  

U11/U12

The U11/U12 program creates a fun soccer environment in which players learn to enjoy the game through greater skills. Individual player development continues to be the focus as team concepts are reinforced. Fundamental soccer techniques are reinforced and players continue to develop individual and team tactics of the game through exposure to a variety of soccer positions. Principles of attacking and defending are incorporated into age appropriate soccer activities. 


Players are placed in boys' or all girls' teams that are led by a volunteer head coach who conducts practice with support from the Recreational Director. Teams practice twice a week for an hour and play regularly scheduled 9 v 9 (including goalkeepers) soccer games at the weekend. All of the rules of soccer are in effect for games. 


Referees for this age group will generally be under the age of 18 and with limited knowledge and experience.

U13/U14

U14 through U19 creates a positive soccer environment for players to continue to develop their ball skills, enjoyment, and insight into the game. The focus of these programs is player development with healthy competition. Players will likely consist of a mixture of beginners along with players that have been exposed to soccer through their club, school, or friends. Principles of attacking and defending are incorporated into age appropriate soccer activities.


Players are placed in boys' or all girls' teams that are led by a volunteer head coach who conducts practice with support from the Recreational Director. Team practice days are determined by the volunteer head coach. Teams practice twice a week for an hour and play regularly scheduled 11v11 (including goalkeepers) soccer games at the weekend. All of the rules of soccer are in effect for games.


Referees for this age group will be a mix of ages, with some under the age of 18. Most referees will have one or two years of experience.

U15/U16

U14 through U19 creates a positive soccer environment for players to continue to develop their ball skills, enjoyment, and insight into the game. The focus of these programs is player development with healthy competition. Players will likely consist of a mixture of beginners along with players that have been exposed to soccer through their club, school, or friends. Principles of attacking and defending are incorporated into age appropriate soccer activities.


Players are placed in boys' or all girlss teams that are led by a volunteer head coach who conducts practice with support from the Recreational Director. Team practice nights are determined by the volunteer head coach. Teams practice twice a week for an hour and play regularly scheduled 11v11 (including goalkeepers) soccer games at the weekend. All of the rules of soccer are in effect for games.


Referees for this age group will generally be adults, with two or more years of experience.

U17-U19

U14 through U19 creates a positive soccer environment for players to continue to develop their ball skills, enjoyment, and insight into the game. The focus of these programs is player development with healthy competition. Players will likely consist of a mixture of beginners along with players that have been exposed to soccer through their club, school, or friends. Principles of attacking and defending are incorporated into age appropriate soccer activities.


Players are placed in boys' or all girls' teams that are led by a volunteer head coach who conducts practice with support from the Recreational Director. Team practice nights are determined by the volunteer head coach. Teams practice twice a week for an hour and play regularly scheduled 11v11 (including goalkeepers) soccer games at the weekend. All of the rules of soccer are in effect for games.


Referees for this age group will generally be adults with two or more years of experience.

RECREATIONAL PROGRAM BASICS

Age Group Duration Gender Ball Size Roster Weekday Practices Practice Duration Games* Game Duration

U4

6-7 Weeks

Co-Ed

3

N/A

1

45 mins

N/A

N/A

U5

9-10 Weeks

Co-Ed

3

9-10

1

60 mins

3v3 (8 games)

4x12 min

U6

9-10 Weeks

Co-Ed

3

9-10

1

60 mins

3v3 (8 games)

4x12 min

U7/U8

9-10 Weeks

Varies

3

9-10

1

60 mins

5v5 (8 games)

4x12 min

U9/U10

9-10 Weeks

B/G

4

12-14

2

60 mins

7v7 (8 games)

2x30 min

U11/U12

9-10 Weeks

B/G

4

14-18

2

60 mins

9v9 (8 games)

2x30 min

U13/U14

9-10 Weeks

B/G

5

16-26

2

60 mins

11v11 (8 games)

2x35 min

U15/U16

9-10 Weeks

B/G

5

16-26

2

90 mins

11v11 (8 games)

2x40 min

U17-U19

9-10 Weeks

B/G

5

16-26

2

90 mins

11v11 (8 games)

2x45 min

*Games are subject to the effects of weather and cannot be guaranteed.

RECREATIONAL season important dates

Program Details Date

Regular Season Games End

Early to mid-May

Fall Season Registration Opens

June 1st

$10 Early Bird Discount Ends

June 30th

Fall Registration Ends*

July 31st

* Important Note

Some age groups/teams reach capacity prior to the registration deadline, so please register ASAP to avoid disappointment.

Waitlist Starts

Aug 1st

Rec coaches begin contacting parents to confirm practice details

1 week prior to practices

Game Schedules Posted

10 Days Prior to 1st Weekend of Scheduled Games

Practices for U10 and older age groups begin

Week of Aug 31st

Practices for Coweta U5/U6/U8 age groups begin

Week of Aug 31st

Practices for Cartersville/Kennesaw/Marietta/Paulding U5/U6/U8 age groups begin

Week of Sept 7th

Regular-Season Games for U10 and Older Age Groups Scheduled to Begin

Weekend of Sept 12th

Regular-Season Games for Coweta U5/U6/U8 Age Groups Scheduled to Begin

Weekend of Sept 12th

Regular-Season Games for Cartersville/Kennesaw/Marietta/Paulding U5/U6/U8 Age Groups Scheduled to Begin

Weekend of Sept 19th

Coweta U4s Start

TBA

Cartersville/Kennesaw/Marietta/Paulding U4s Start

TBA

Regular Season Games End

Mid Nov

RECREATIONAL PROGRAM DETAILS BY LOCATION AND REGISTRATION LINKS

RECREATIONAL PROGRAM additional links

RECREATIONAL PROGRAM SEASON FEES*

AGE GROUP CARTERSVILLE COWETA DALLAS KENNESAW MARIETTA
4U $90.00 $90.00 $90.00 $100.00 $100.00
5U $100.00 $90.00 $105.00 $125.00 $125.00
6U $100.00 $90.00 $105.00 $125.00 $125.00
8U $110.00 $90.00 $125.00 $145.00 $145.00
10U $120.00 $145.00 $165.00 $185.00 $185.00
12U $120.00 $150.00 $175.00 $195.00 $195.00
14U $120.00 $155.00 $175.00 $195.00 $195.00
16U $120.00 $155.00 $175.00 $195.00 $195.00
19U $120.00 $155.00 $175.00 $195.00 $195.00
Pre-Academy (5U - 7U) $290.00 $340.00 $340.00 $340.00 $340.00

*Fees cover all season costs, but exclude uniform purchased separately.

RECREATIONAL PROGRAM Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the registration process for Recreational Soccer?

    Southern Soccer Academy uses the Playmetrics platform for all registration and payment processes. Once an account is created, a parent/guardian will be able to manage all aspects, including registering for individual programs and making payment(s) to secure a place on the program itself.


    SSA will accept registrations through the registration deadline as listed above, or until a program is full (whichever comes first).


    Once a player is registered AND PAID, our administrative staff will begin the process of assigning the player to a program team working to the schedule above.


    In situations where a registration has been completed but space is not available, a full refund will be issued.

  • Can I make a special request?

    Yes, during the registration process there is the option to add a special request such as asking for particular day(s) for practice, or to be rostered with a friend to the same team (players may ask to play up an age group, but cannot be rostered to a team in a younger age group for purposes of playing with a friend). If you are a returning player, you may also request a particular coach or team. Special requests cannot be guaranteed though, especially in instances where a team roster is already full given that players are assigned in order of registration and there may be more players requesting a particular coach or team than there are roster spots available.    

  • How do I order a uniform?

    Uniforms are ordered through our online vendor (Capelli) and delivered directly to your home. Participants will also need shinguards and soccer cleats.

  • What is a waitlist?

    For some of our programs, the number of player registrations we receive exceeds the roster space available. In these instances, we create waitlists to allow a provisional player registration that can be activated in the event that additional teams are created, or registrations completed earlier in the registration window are canceled. Registrations to waitlists are not charged.

  • What happens once registration closes?

    1. Our administrators work to assign over 4,000 players to almost 350 teams across all our locations, looking to ensure that players are evenly spread across all the teams to provide a reasonable depth of squad for practice and games. As they go through that process, they will be taking late-registered players from the wait list and adding them into teams where space exists.


    2. At the same time, our administrators will match coaches to teams, using information shared with them by the Rec Director.


    3. Schedule regular-season games, looking to have the schedules released to SSA membership approximately 10 days before the first weekend of the season for the majority of the age groups.


    If you have any questions about the process, please feel free to check the website for latest updates, or contact your location Rec Director or administrator.

  • What equipment does my child need?

    In addition to soccer cleats, shinguards, and a uniform, all players should bring a water bottle to practice, while players in the U5 and older age groups should also bring a soccer ball (size 3 for U5-U8, size 4 for U10-U12, and size 5 for U14 and older). Players in the U4 age group wil receive a shirt and a ball at their first practice as part of the registration fees.

  • When should I order my child's uniform?

    We recommend placing your uniform order as soon as possible to ensure receipt prior to the first weekend of the season.

  • When will I hear from my child's coach?

    Rosters are shared with coaches 1 week before practices are scheduled to start. Coaches will then start to reach out to their players for a general introduction, along with details on practice times and fields.

  • What is the program refund policy?

    Once a player is registered and placed on a team, no refund of fees will be issued. Refunds for registrations canceled prior to the rostering process are at the club's discretion. 

  • How do I volunteer to coach?

    Recreational soccer programs are built on the involvement of volunteers. SSA has an excellent support system in place for our coaches and also offers many benefits, including a 100% fee credit for head coaches (payable at the end of the season) to cover one child registered to the same team.


    To register as a volunteer coach, you must establish an account within the system. Once logged in, you will be able to complete a volunteer registration by adding yourself as a participant, afterwhich the option to register as a coach will appear. 


    Please be sure to reach out to the program's Recreational Director after completing a registration to continue the process.

  • Are rained out games and practices made up?

    Practice and game schedules are subject to effects of the weather and other factors outside of the control of the club and cannot be guaranteed. 


    In the event of rain-outs, the club will look to ensure that a minimum of 7 game dates are played across the season. Make-up practices are subject to field and coach availability.