Q. Can my child be on the same team as another child?

A. We take requests to match players up with other players on our Evaluation Day. While we do our best to accommodate all requests, we also need to provide a competitively balanced league. Siblings will be accommodated however if they are in the same division. 

Q. Can my child have a particular coach?

A. We take "coach requests" on our Evaluation Day. While we do our best to accommodate all requests, we cannot guarantee that a child will be on a specific coach's team. However, if a child's parent or relative is a coach, that child will be on the coach's team. 

Q. On what day are the games played? 

A. We play games on Sundays.

Q. Where are the games being played? 

A. Both boys and girls teams will play their games at Encinitas Boys and Girls Club, Pacific Ridge School, and Eden Park (San Elijo Hills.  There may be games at the Solana Beach Boys and Girls Club or Scripps Ranch High School on rare occasions. 

Q. When are the practices? 

A. The coach will determine the practice times and places once teams are formed after the evaluation days. 

Q. How many practices will there be a week? 

A. Again, this is determined by your coach. A general rule of thumb is 1 to 2 practices per week for one hour per practice. Practices are NOT mandatory but it is beneficial to the player and the team if your child does attend practices regularly.   

Q. When does registration close? 

A. Usually right before the evaluation day. 

Q. Do the boys and girls play together? 

A. No. There are separate teams for boys and teams for girls. However, highly skilled girls may play in the boys division. 

Q. Can I request that my child be on the same team as another child or have a specific coach? 

A. Our first goal is competitive balance. That being said, we try to accommodate all requests but we can't guarantee that those requests will be granted. Siblings will be put on the same team if requested. 

Q. Can my 2nd grader play? Can my child play "up" in a higher division? 

A. Yes. Kids can "play up" in NJB. In other words, a child in 2nd grade can play in the 3rd and 4th grade division. HOWEVER, this should only be done is cases where the player who is playing up is sufficiently skilled and mature enough to play with older children. To do this, the child will have to attend evaluations with the older group of children. We do have a Boys 2nd grade league so a very athletic first grader can play up. 

Q. What's different about this league? 

A. There certainly are quite a few differences. A major difference that you'll see are the referees. Referees are professional and often CIF high school referees. They belong to an association that trains and evaluates them on an ongoing basis. They attend mandatory clinics and control the games very well. The uniforms are high quality jerseys with NBA team names and popular NBA player numbers. 

There's also postseason tournament ball for all of the kids regardless of talent level along with All Stars giving those with the talent to represent Encinitas NJB in All-Star tournaments. 

Q. My child is playing other sports. Can he / she play? 

A. Yes. The overlap can be handled by your coach. This is the time of practice and generally can be dealt with. Once assigned to a team, you can discuss this further with your coach for a suitable solution. 

Q. What size ball do the kids use so I can buy one to practice with? What are the rim heights?

A. 2nd grade and 3rd-4th grade boys and girls (27.5 in.), 5th-6th grade boys and girls (28.5 in.), 7th-8th grade girls (28.5 in.), 7th-8th grade boys (regulation size 29.5 in.)

Rims are 10 feet tall in all divisions except for the Boys 2nd grade division in the winter league. In the summer league, the 2nd grade boys move to the 10 foot rim. 

Q. How are the All Stars selected? 

A. After the season, the coaches in each division will nominate players from their team for All-Stars. The All Star will run an evaluation session and then select the players for the team with input from Encinitas NJB's Board of Directors and other coaches. There are no "all-stars" for the summer session however. 

Q. How are the All Star coaches selected? 

A. Any NJB approved coach that has been fingerprinted can request to coach an All Star team. If he/she is the only one for a particular grade, then he/she is the coach. If more than one coach expresses interest, then the NJB Board votes for the coach. 

Q. Is NJB is a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Organization? 

A. Yes. Federal Tax ID# 33-0681572