NOVA AAU TEAMS (Nova94, Fairfax Stars, NovaCavaliers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Practice locations for teams are based on availability of full court gyms (county or private), coach preference, and (maybe) residence of team members. And gyms can change mid season. Focus first on finding the best fit team with a good coach you believe will develop the whole team and treat your kid fairly (enough play time).

(Says NoVA parent with kid who ended up leaving one of the teams above for better opportunities and more play time with a stronger PG county based team)

Can you please specify the PG based team that you found worth commuting for? Looking for a 5th grade boy.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

BUMP. DS is attending tryouts for the 3 teams. He plays on a decent DMV AAU team now but wants to consider other teams, looking for different coaching style and solid team work. Current team is cliquey favoring coach sons and friends.

It is hard to evaluate from a few tryouts. We see a lot of posts about Nova94 but few for Nova Cavs or Fairfax Stars. From websites and social media, seems like these Nova Cavs and Fairfax Stars have not fielded younger teams in recent past. Are these teams up to AAU div 2 competition level or considered Rec++?

TIA for any current feedback on Nova Cavs or Fairfax Stars!

Also, DS said many boys seem to know each other from FYCBL teams. can we assume the coaches heavily favor their travel players when selecting a team?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BUMP. DS is attending tryouts for the 3 teams. He plays on a decent DMV AAU team now but wants to consider other teams, looking for different coaching style and solid team work. Current team is cliquey favoring coach sons and friends.

It is hard to evaluate from a few tryouts. We see a lot of posts about Nova94 but few for Nova Cavs or Fairfax Stars. From websites and social media, seems like these Nova Cavs and Fairfax Stars have not fielded younger teams in recent past. Are these teams up to AAU div 2 competition level or considered Rec++?

TIA for any current feedback on Nova Cavs or Fairfax Stars!

Also, DS said many boys seem to know each other from FYCBL teams. can we assume the coaches heavily favor their travel players when selecting a team?

I can’t speak for boys, but I know the stars are currently fielding 4th and 5th grade girls teams

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BUMP. DS is attending tryouts for the 3 teams. He plays on a decent DMV AAU team now but wants to consider other teams, looking for different coaching style and solid team work. Current team is cliquey favoring coach sons and friends.

It is hard to evaluate from a few tryouts. We see a lot of posts about Nova94 but few for Nova Cavs or Fairfax Stars. From websites and social media, seems like these Nova Cavs and Fairfax Stars have not fielded younger teams in recent past. Are these teams up to AAU div 2 competition level or considered Rec++?

TIA for any current feedback on Nova Cavs or Fairfax Stars!

Also, DS said many boys seem to know each other from FYCBL teams. can we assume the coaches heavily favor their travel players when selecting a team?

They’re up to AAU competition. Or will get there soon. Don’t die out the teams but you’re right to assume favoritism to kids they know. Best to show up and get in on it though

[Anonymous]

I’m confused. Your son played on an AAU team this past year but you are worried that the other orgs won’t field teams his age? How old is he?

[Anonymous]

What grade/age?

[Anonymous]

anyone have opinions of team Intensity?

[Anonymous]

If you are looking at 11U, the Nova Cavs 11U coach is coaching the Vienna B team in 5th gr FCYBL. They may have one or two more games, so you could go see him coach and watch his subbing, treatment of the boys etc.

Nova 94 Feet is starting a new team for 5th grade so it might be easier to get in on that team since your son won't have to be substantially better than existing players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are looking at 11U, the Nova Cavs 11U coach is coaching the Vienna B team in 5th gr FCYBL. They may have one or two more games, so you could go see him coach and watch his subbing, treatment of the boys etc.

Nova 94 Feet is starting a new team for 5th grade so it might be easier to get in on that team since your son won't have to be substantially better than existing players.

this is actually useful info thanks

[Anonymous]

The coaches will play the best starting 5 in almost every scenario. 80% of the time, their kid is one of the best 5. The other 20%, they are probably tied with another kid so got the edge being a son. I know it’s easier to just blame lack of playing time with coach having favoritism but it’s just not true in most cases. AAU teams need to win in order to be sustainable.

And no I’m not a coach nor do it have a spouse that is. I’m a seasoned AAU mom with a high schooler. Personal 1:1 training outside AAU makes a world of difference. You can’t just rely on AAU workouts. My son quickly moved into starting 5 (and now top 2 players) within 3 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The coaches will play the best starting 5 in almost every scenario. 80% of the time, their kid is one of the best 5. The other 20%, they are probably tied with another kid so got the edge being a son. I know it’s easier to just blame lack of playing time with coach having favoritism but it’s just not true in most cases. AAU teams need to win in order to be sustainable.

And no I’m not a coach nor do it have a spouse that is. I’m a seasoned AAU mom with a high schooler. Personal 1:1 training outside AAU makes a world of difference. You can’t just rely on AAU workouts. My son quickly moved into starting 5 (and now top 2 players) within 3 months.

My kid is always a starting 5 but not the best. Or maybe they are and I don't give them credit...lol I just think they reserve some "best players" to sub in. You have to watch carefully. Last off the bench is also telling.

I am curious what 1:1 training you recommend...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are looking at 11U, the Nova Cavs 11U coach is coaching the Vienna B team in 5th gr FCYBL. They may have one or two more games, so you could go see him coach and watch his subbing, treatment of the boys etc.

Nova 94 Feet is starting a new team for 5th grade so it might be easier to get in on that team since your son won't have to be substantially better than existing players.

My son's team played this team. Yeah, great advice to go see his coaching "style" before wasting time trying out.

[Anonymous]

How much does 1:1 training cost?

[Anonymous]

Bottom line - In my experience the AAU clubs do not have unified philosophies. This is all very very coach dependent. Go to as many tryouts as you can go to, hope to get on a team, and do the season. Watch other clubs and coaches. Remember who you like and who you don’t like. My son plays for an older group than yours in one of those aforementioned clubs and we had a coaching change, and it is totally different with the second coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The coaches will play the best starting 5 in almost every scenario. 80% of the time, their kid is one of the best 5. The other 20%, they are probably tied with another kid so got the edge being a son. I know it’s easier to just blame lack of playing time with coach having favoritism but it’s just not true in most cases. AAU teams need to win in order to be sustainable.

And no I’m not a coach nor do it have a spouse that is. I’m a seasoned AAU mom with a high schooler. Personal 1:1 training outside AAU makes a world of difference. You can’t just rely on AAU workouts. My son quickly moved into starting 5 (and now top 2 players) within 3 months.

My kid is always a starting 5 but not the best. Or maybe they are and I don't give them credit...lol I just think they reserve some "best players" to sub in. You have to watch carefully. Last off the bench is also telling.

I am curious what 1:1 training you recommend...

DNA Elite in VA (they also have a few mainly older 14U AAU teams) does individual and group training. TripleThreat in MD is also a great organization that does both trainings as well.