Basketball Roster Size - Rec

[Anonymous]

We have 9

[Anonymous]

Well, either they have a draft, or they let teams stay together. Letting team stay together is not the norm for basketball bc it’s so hard to balance teams.

[Anonymous]

I have coached rec for years. The problem in our rec league is that each player must play an uninterrupted quarter and you cannot make any substitutions until each player has had their quarter, so if you have 10, you can't make a single substitution until the second half.

I prefer 8-9 because it allows me to make subs in the second quarter vs having to wait until the game is over.

I don't want more than 10 because then some kids don't get to play in the first half AT ALL and then both kids and their parents are upset. You can't win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have coached rec for years. The problem in our rec league is that each player must play an uninterrupted quarter and you cannot make any substitutions until each player has had their quarter, so if you have 10, you can't make a single substitution until the second half.

I prefer 8-9 because it allows me to make subs in the second quarter vs having to wait until the game is [b]over.

I don't want more than 10 because then some kids don't get to play in the first half AT ALL and then both kids and their parents are upset. You can't win.

PP here: that should read: vs having to wait until the game is half over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have coached rec for years. The problem in our rec league is that each player must play an uninterrupted quarter and you cannot make any substitutions until each player has had their quarter, so if you have 10, you can't make a single substitution until the second half.

I prefer 8-9 because it allows me to make subs in the second quarter vs having to wait until the game is [b]over.

I don't want more than 10 because then some kids don't get to play in the first half AT ALL and then both kids and their parents are upset. You can't win.

PP here: that should read: vs having to wait until the game is half over.

ok but why is it bad to not able to sub in the first half? i actually thought that's make coach's job easier?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have coached rec for years. The problem in our rec league is that each player must play an uninterrupted quarter and you cannot make any substitutions until each player has had their quarter, so if you have 10, you can't make a single substitution until the second half.

I prefer 8-9 because it allows me to make subs in the second quarter vs having to wait until the game is over.

I don't want more than 10 because then some kids don't get to play in the first half AT ALL and then both kids and their parents are upset. You can't win.

DP. This is a really helpful response. And thanks for coaching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have coached rec for years. The problem in our rec league is that each player must play an uninterrupted quarter and you cannot make any substitutions until each player has had their quarter, so if you have 10, you can't make a single substitution until the second half.

I prefer 8-9 because it allows me to make subs in the second quarter vs having to wait until the game is [b]over.

I don't want more than 10 because then some kids don't get to play in the first half AT ALL and then both kids and their parents are upset. You can't win.

PP here: that should read: vs having to wait until the game is half over.

ok but why is it bad to not able to sub in the first half? i actually thought that's make coach's job easier?

Because I need the flexibility to make subs depending on how the game is going, how my players are playing. It doesn’t make my job easier if I can’t sub, it just makes me lazy. I’m not a rec coach to just show up, I try my best to help the kids win. And I’ve won several rec championships and this really is the team size that works best for me and for the kids on the team. I’m sorry Op can find room on his/her team of choice. My advice honestly is to start your own team and coach it. I’m serious. If I can do it, anyone can.

[Anonymous]

My 6th grader’s rec team has always capped it at 8. As others have said, there’s a minimum number of quarters that must be played.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 6th grader’s rec team has always capped it at 8. As others have said, there’s a minimum number of quarters that must be played.

cap it at 10 allows that too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have coached rec for years. The problem in our rec league is that each player must play an uninterrupted quarter and you cannot make any substitutions until each player has had their quarter, so if you have 10, you can't make a single substitution until the second half.

I prefer 8-9 because it allows me to make subs in the second quarter vs having to wait until the game is [b]over.

I don't want more than 10 because then some kids don't get to play in the first half AT ALL and then both kids and their parents are upset. You can't win.

PP here: that should read: vs having to wait until the game is half over.

ok but why is it bad to not able to sub in the first half? i actually thought that's make coach's job easier?

Because I need the flexibility to make subs depending on how the game is going, how my players are playing. It doesn’t make my job easier if I can’t sub, it just makes me lazy. I’m not a rec coach to just show up, I try my best to help the kids win. And I’ve won several rec championships and this really is the team size that works best for me and for the kids on the team. I’m sorry Op can find room on his/her team of choice. My advice honestly is to start your own team and coach it. I’m serious. If I can do it, anyone can.

i see. but i think this only matters for older and/or competitive levels. for 5th grade rec teams 10 should be perfectly fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have coached rec for years. The problem in our rec league is that each player must play an uninterrupted quarter and you cannot make any substitutions until each player has had their quarter, so if you have 10, you can't make a single substitution until the second half.

I prefer 8-9 because it allows me to make subs in the second quarter vs having to wait until the game is [b]over.

I don't want more than 10 because then some kids don't get to play in the first half AT ALL and then both kids and their parents are upset. You can't win.

PP here: that should read: vs having to wait until the game is half over.

ok but why is it bad to not able to sub in the first half? i actually thought that's make coach's job easier?

Because I need the flexibility to make subs depending on how the game is going, how my players are playing. It doesn’t make my job easier if I can’t sub, it just makes me lazy. I’m not a rec coach to just show up, I try my best to help the kids win. And I’ve won several rec championships and this really is the team size that works best for me and for the kids on the team. I’m sorry Op can find room on his/her team of choice. My advice honestly is to start your own team and coach it. I’m serious. If I can do it, anyone can.

i see. but i think this only matters for older and/or competitive levels. for 5th grade rec teams 10 should be perfectly fine.

I see, but do you coach? How do you know if you don't coach? If you are so sure, then volunteer to coach a team for a few seasons and get back to us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In Arlington, it’s 9 at 5th grade.

How about 6th grade? do you know?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have coached rec for years. The problem in our rec league is that each player must play an uninterrupted quarter and you cannot make any substitutions until each player has had their quarter, so if you have 10, you can't make a single substitution until the second half.

I prefer 8-9 because it allows me to make subs in the second quarter vs having to wait until the game is [b]over.

I don't want more than 10 because then some kids don't get to play in the first half AT ALL and then both kids and their parents are upset. You can't win.

PP here: that should read: vs having to wait until the game is half over.

ok but why is it bad to not able to sub in the first half? i actually thought that's make coach's job easier?

Because I need the flexibility to make subs depending on how the game is going, how my players are playing. It doesn’t make my job easier if I can’t sub, it just makes me lazy. I’m not a rec coach to just show up, I try my best to help the kids win. And I’ve won several rec championships and this really is the team size that works best for me and for the kids on the team. I’m sorry Op can find room on his/her team of choice. My advice honestly is to start your own team and coach it. I’m serious. If I can do it, anyone can.

That really only works if rec basketball is the kids' priority. Our league allows rec teams to have up to two county players. If there is a conflict, those kids are missing the rec game. We also have travel soccer players in players in winter futsal leagues. Again, rec basketball will get skipped if there is a conflict. The same goes for kids in swim. You also have the random ski weekends or trips to grandma's. If our team had 8, they'd be racking up the forfeits. 10 allows the team to be fine with 3 or 4 kids missing the game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have coached rec for years. The problem in our rec league is that each player must play an uninterrupted quarter and you cannot make any substitutions until each player has had their quarter, so if you have 10, you can't make a single substitution until the second half.

I prefer 8-9 because it allows me to make subs in the second quarter vs having to wait until the game is [b]over.

I don't want more than 10 because then some kids don't get to play in the first half AT ALL and then both kids and their parents are upset. You can't win.

PP here: that should read: vs having to wait until the game is half over.

ok but why is it bad to not able to sub in the first half? i actually thought that's make coach's job easier?

Because I need the flexibility to make subs depending on how the game is going, how my players are playing. It doesn’t make my job easier if I can’t sub, it just makes me lazy. I’m not a rec coach to just show up, I try my best to help the kids win. And I’ve won several rec championships and this really is the team size that works best for me and for the kids on the team. I’m sorry Op can find room on his/her team of choice. My advice honestly is to start your own team and coach it. I’m serious. If I can do it, anyone can.

That really only works if rec basketball is the kids' priority. Our league allows rec teams to have up to two county players. If there is a conflict, those kids are missing the rec game. We also have travel soccer players in players in winter futsal leagues. Again, rec basketball will get skipped if there is a conflict. The same goes for kids in swim. You also have the random ski weekends or trips to grandma's. If our team had 8, they'd be racking up the forfeits. 10 allows the team to be fine with 3 or 4 kids missing the game.

Well I have travel lacrosse, soccer and futsal players on my team and we have been able to make it work with 8-9 year after year, won 3 championships and have had a lot of fun. Again, it is up to the coach what she/he thinks works best for that group. We go through all conflicts/sports calendars at the beginning of the season, and we have played with only 5 players before (and won). There really isn't one size fits all for every coach. So if OP asked a team and was told it was full, perhaps that coach follows the same method I do.

Look at the end of the day being a rec coach is a thankless job. You aren't paid, you probably are spending lots of money on equipment (cones, pennies, extra balls which are super expensive), you are giving up tons of your free time to prepare for and run practices and games. A lot of practices are spent disciplining and babysitting kids who are acting out and not paying attention. Parents are complaining because they don't like what position their kid is playing, they think their kid should get more playing time, they think their kid should always start, they don't like when you are having practice, they don't like how you are running practice, they don't tell you when their kid will be absent, they send their kid to practice sick and contagious, etc. It's a TON of work. Plus you want what the kids want which is to have fun and win some games and you are fully invested in that to make it a positive experience an d create nice memories for your group of kids.

If OP wants their kid to play, step up and coach a team. It's rec, not AAU or the WNBA/NBA. Anyone can coach. I never played on a basketball team but I am a big basketball fan so I know plenty of fundamentals. I went to a few coaches clinics, watched a ton of YouTube videos on drills and even read a basketball coaching book. I have a positive attitude and try as hard as I can to help my group. We have been pretty successful and it's been a wonderful experience. If parents want their kid to play, volunteer and coach. Too many people complain about rec but aren't willing to roll up their sleeves and volunteer. Just do it, or else please stop complaining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have coached rec for years. The problem in our rec league is that each player must play an uninterrupted quarter and you cannot make any substitutions until each player has had their quarter, so if you have 10, you can't make a single substitution until the second half.

I prefer 8-9 because it allows me to make subs in the second quarter vs having to wait until the game is [b]over.

I don't want more than 10 because then some kids don't get to play in the first half AT ALL and then both kids and their parents are upset. You can't win.

PP here: that should read: vs having to wait until the game is half over.

ok but why is it bad to not able to sub in the first half? i actually thought that's make coach's job easier?

Because I need the flexibility to make subs depending on how the game is going, how my players are playing. It doesn’t make my job easier if I can’t sub, it just makes me lazy. I’m not a rec coach to just show up, I try my best to help the kids win. And I’ve won several rec championships and this really is the team size that works best for me and for the kids on the team. I’m sorry Op can find room on his/her team of choice. My advice honestly is to start your own team and coach it. I’m serious. If I can do it, anyone can.

That really only works if rec basketball is the kids' priority. Our league allows rec teams to have up to two county players. If there is a conflict, those kids are missing the rec game. We also have travel soccer players in players in winter futsal leagues. Again, rec basketball will get skipped if there is a conflict. The same goes for kids in swim. You also have the random ski weekends or trips to grandma's. If our team had 8, they'd be racking up the forfeits. 10 allows the team to be fine with 3 or 4 kids missing the game.

Well I have travel lacrosse, soccer and futsal players on my team and we have been able to make it work with 8-9 year after year, won 3 championships and have had a lot of fun. Again, it is up to the coach what she/he thinks works best for that group. We go through all conflicts/sports calendars at the beginning of the season, and we have played with only 5 players before (and won). There really isn't one size fits all for every coach. So if OP asked a team and was told it was full, perhaps that coach follows the same method I do.

Look at the end of the day being a rec coach is a thankless job. You aren't paid, you probably are spending lots of money on equipment (cones, pennies, extra balls which are super expensive), you are giving up tons of your free time to prepare for and run practices and games. A lot of practices are spent disciplining and babysitting kids who are acting out and not paying attention. Parents are complaining because they don't like what position their kid is playing, they think their kid should get more playing time, they think their kid should always start, they don't like when you are having practice, they don't like how you are running practice, they don't tell you when their kid will be absent, they send their kid to practice sick and contagious, etc. It's a TON of work. Plus you want what the kids want which is to have fun and win some games and you are fully invested in that to make it a positive experience an d create nice memories for your group of kids.

If OP wants their kid to play, step up and coach a team. It's rec, not AAU or the WNBA/NBA. Anyone can coach. I never played on a basketball team but I am a big basketball fan so I know plenty of fundamentals. I went to a few coaches clinics, watched a ton of YouTube videos on drills and even read a basketball coaching book. I have a positive attitude and try as hard as I can to help my group. We have been pretty successful and it's been a wonderful experience. If parents want their kid to play, volunteer and coach. Too many people complain about rec but aren't willing to roll up their sleeves and volunteer. Just do it, or else please stop complaining.

OP here. I appreciate your posts, and the perspectives from a successful championship coach. However the issue is DD wants to play with her friends/be on that team, so me coaching a team won't satisfied that. But again I respect the league's rules on roster size, it's just that I still can't fully grasp the difference of 9 vs 10 players on a rec team. DD plays rec soccer since 1st grade and it's never been an issue with roster sizes so this is all new to us.