FCYBL winter travel or year-round AAU team?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the open gyms truly optional or will my kid be penalized for not attending? We really don't want to bother with the hassle if its not necessary.

If the kid is trying to make a team go. There will be fewer kids than at tryouts and coaches are watching.

[Anonymous]

If you don't know the coach, definitely go. You will get a really good feel for his coaching style. Is the open gym scrimmaging or super intense drills? Are the other kids friendly etc?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't know the coach, definitely go. You will get a really good feel for his coaching style. Is the open gym scrimmaging or super intense drills? Are the other kids friendly etc?

Whatever you do, as a newcomer don't miss a tryout date... if there are 3 stated tryouts attend all 3. We forewarned two of DS's friends and their parents yet they skipped the third "optional" date and neither of them made the team. One of them was definitely better than most of DS's teammates.

[Anonymous]

Really? Even if it says, 3 tryouts but only 2 are required? DC is trying out for multiple teams.

[Anonymous]

Question: If there is only one tryout listed, and the second tryout is listed as "invite only"---does that mean the team is already pre-selected and we should focus on other places?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question: If there is only one tryout listed, and the second tryout is listed as "invite only"---does that mean the team is already pre-selected and we should focus on other places?

I've never seen that before but yeah, doesn't exactly sound welcoming. I would not waste my kid's tryout time.

[Anonymous]

If I only want my kid to play on a team in the first division, should I just take to try out for teams that were in that division last year? Or will the teams post on their website what division their teams will be playing in so we don't waste time with a lower level team tryout?

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know why Burke doesn't have an 8th grade boys team? That's the place closest to us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: If I only want my kid to play on a team in the first division, should I just take to try out for teams that were in that division last year? Or will the teams post on their website what division their teams will be playing in so we don't waste time with a lower level team tryout?

I suggest emailing the coaches for the teams you are looking at (should be listed on the club's websites). Let the coach know you are only interested in division 1 teams for your dc and you don't want to waste his and your time with your dc trying out if the team isn't in Division 1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: If I only want my kid to play on a team in the first division, should I just take to try out for teams that were in that division last year? Or will the teams post on their website what division their teams will be playing in so we don't waste time with a lower level team tryout?

Set goals but don't be too restrictive, and it's always easier to stick within your own zip code. As an experienced FCYBL parent, I have a lot to say on this topic so here goes...

#1 -- The larger participating clubs (Mclean, BRYC...) will have Division 1 teams. Check here to see all clubs teams by division for last year and prior years...

http://www.fcybl.org/Bulletins.asp?org=fcybl.org

#2 -- (Obviously) making a division 1 team is not only difficult, even for the skilled player, but can be political. As previously stated in this thread and others, if a team is headed by an AAU coach or assistants, they will bring on their players to use up their zipcode exceptions. And coaches may have already recruited a known player for their zip code exceptions (e.g. my son was recruited last year but stuck within our zip). Finally, some clubs follow "daddy ball" rules for the division 1 selection process. In our club, many of the 5th grade division 1 kids were connected--dad was a well-known coach in some sport (baseball), kid was a top athlete in a sport such as lacrosse or baseball, and/or dad knew the basketball coaches. So, some talented basketball players drop down to division 2.

#3 -- Divisions can change year to year...
FCYBL Rules
7.2.6. TEAM ASSIGNMENT PROCEDURES
Teams winning at least EIGHTY PERCENT (80%) of their games (12+ in a 14 game season) from the previous year in Division II or who finished first or second during the regular season or who won their post-season tournament will automatically be placed in Division I the following year. Teams winning at least SEVENTY PERCENT (70%) of their games will have the option of moving to Division I. Likewise, teams in Division I that fail to win TWENTY PERCENT (20%) of their games (2 wins or less) or who finished last or next to last during the regular season will be placed in Division II the following year. Teams winning between TWENTY and THIRTY PERCENT (20% - 30%) of their games have the option of being placed in Division II. The Commissioner may override these assignments per Rule 7.2.1.1 or at the request of the member club based upon the following:

1) Continuity or lack thereof from one season to the next.
2) Size of the organization.
3) Discussion with the coach or club representative.

Organizations fielding teams for the first time in a particular age group will be assigned to Division II, but may appeal based upon the above criteria.

http://www.fcybl.org/Page.asp?n=16256&org=FCYBL

[Anonymous]

I'm confused by this whole thing. I am used to AAU where it doesn't matter where you live if you are good enough to make the team.
This all just seems very restrictive and old fashioned. We live in Centreville in zip code 20120. Where can my kids play as in-network? Am I understanding right that they can play anywhere they want to out-of-network if the coach agrees to take them? 7th and 8th grade boys if it matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: If I only want my kid to play on a team in the first division, should I just take to try out for teams that were in that division last year? Or will the teams post on their website what division their teams will be playing in so we don't waste time with a lower level team tryout?

I suggest emailing the coaches for the teams you are looking at (should be listed on the club's websites). Let the coach know you are only interested in division 1 teams for your dc and you don't want to waste his and your time with your dc trying out if the team isn't in Division 1.

Oh wow, don't do this, pp. Poster was messin with ya.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm confused by this whole thing. I am used to AAU where it doesn't matter where you live if you are good enough to make the team.
This all just seems very restrictive and old fashioned. We live in Centreville in zip code 20120. Where can my kids play as in-network? Am I understanding right that they can play anywhere they want to out-of-network if the coach agrees to take them? 7th and 8th grade boys if it matters.

your zip is SYA

https://www.syasports.org/basketball/program-information

and open gyms already started

https://www.syasports.org/basketball/camps-clinics

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question: If there is only one tryout listed, and the second tryout is listed as "invite only"---does that mean the team is already pre-selected and we should focus on other places?

Lol. Yes the 1st try out is to see who can they invite for the 2nd one. It happens if they expect a lot of kids will show up on try out to weave out the not good ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question: If there is only one tryout listed, and the second tryout is listed as "invite only"---does that mean the team is already pre-selected and we should focus on other places?