Find Your Court
What court should you play on this season?
Tryouts are coming and Girls Play Too has been fielding a lot of questions from parents about what team their daughter should play for? That’s not an easy question to answer because there are so many things to take into consideration and every situation is unique. The number of basketball programs and teams has grown tremendously in the last several years, especially in larger urban centres. The growth of the girls’ game has been wonderful to see, but at the same time, it has also brought about a lot of questions and uncertainty about where to play and what team to play for. Even in smaller centres…there are still things to consider when deciding on what team to play for. Everyone’s situation is distinct. So…how do you know what team is best for you?
Everyone wants to play for a winning team, but not everyone has that opportunity. Sure…winning is fun, and no one wants to lose. Remember, though, winning is never guaranteed. Even teams with the most talented players don’t always win. Winning should not be the most important factor, or only factor, in determining what team you would like to play for. However, we often get too caught up in winning and don’t realize that there are other factors to consider which are more important than winning. Especially for young athletes…winning should not be the priority. Winning will come, so be patient and enjoy the “ride”.
To help answer the question about what team to play for, Girls Play Too has focused the response on 4 simple “tips” which will help guide you through the process. These “tips” will not guarantee selection to a team, nor will it guarantee the “best” situation, but should help you through the decision-making process so that you can make an informed and well thought out decision.
Tip #1
Location, Location, Location!
Where you live will determine a lot. Think about what is within close proximity to where you live. What types of teams are available in your area this season (Rep, JUEL, OSBA)? Where/when do they practice and how far is your commute? Are there other parents available to carpool with? Where do they play tournaments? Will there be a lot of travel involved and what is the cost for the season?
Tip #2
Development Opportunities
Every player, regardless of age and ability, needs to put the time into improving their game, on and off the court. So, think about how you will continue to get better throughout the season. In smaller centres, access to resources can be challenging. No one is saying that you must leave your local team, and nor should you if that’s the best, most practical situation. Playing for your local team may be the best situation at a particular time. So, is there a clinic you can attend outside of your regular team practices? Are there things you can be doing on your own to get better?
It might be as simple as the coach consistently incorporating skill development into practices. Or perhaps, the association offers skill development. You might be in a situation where you need to seek other opportunities to develop your skill.
Ask the coaching staff about their approach to teaching the game and how to play. Is there a commitment to working with all players or is the focus on just the top skilled players?
Additionally, is the coach/team/association encouraging you seek development opportunities and programs such as Junior Academy, Team Ontario, OSDP, CP, camps/clinics, and others?
Tip #3
Team "Fit"
Team chemistry is so important on and off the court – both amongst players and with the coaching staff. Think about the type of experience you wish to have. Does this team align with your personality, playing style, and goals? What is the time commitment required? How many practices, games, tournaments, and other team functions? Think about what else is going on in your life . Can you commit to everything that is being asked of you for this team? Or, on the “flip” side, is the commitment to little? Do you need/want more?
During the tryout period, you’ll get an idea of the personalities of players and coaches. However, you won’t necessarily know who is being selected to the team. This uncertainty might be troubling for some while others won’t give much thought to it and as such, it won’t matter who is selected to the team.
Ask the Head Coach about their own coaching philosophy and style. How do they interact with players? Are they looking to play everyone equally or equitably or will they favour particular players? Have they already determined the number of minutes each player will receive? What type of environment will they create and are there particular goals for the team and individuals?
You might need to consider and ask questions about the roster – how many players and what type(s) of players are the coaches looking for? Do they need a guard, a wing, or a forward? What will be the playing style for the team? Are the coaches focused on running set plays or will it be more of a conceptual style of offense? On the defensive side, what is the approach to the game? You won’t get all of the answers to your questions, because the response might align with the type of players that are ultimately selected to the team and who the opposition will be. However, the coaching staff should have a general sense of how they will be approaching the game from a strategic and tactical point of view.
The number of players on a roster might be a consideration. With younger teams, equal playing time is generally a league rule. With older players, playing time is not guaranteed. Sometimes the size of the roster might impact playing time. Remember…in order to get better, you need to play.
Team “fit” is such an important consideration. Think through the situation. Remember, nothing is guaranteed and things happen during the course of a season, both good and bad. But,you want to set yourself up for as memorable and as positive an experience as possible.
Tip #4
Money Talks
It costs money to play basketball, and the costs will vary from team to team. Going into the tryouts, the Head Coach should have a pretty good idea of what those costs will be. Items such as playing uniforms, other gear, gym fees, league and tournament fees, first aid expenses, equipment, team social(s), association fee, and others should be included in the team budget. What is not included in the team budget is basketball shoes, travel expenses, meals, and accommodation – these items are in addition to the team fee.
For those who require some financial assistance, there might be funding available through a grant from certain organizations. Ask your Head Coach and/or league administrator for more information.
Some teams participate in fundraising activities to help raise funds to offset the costs of playing. So, be sure to ask what additional commitments there are from a time and money perspective.
Don’t be shy to ask about the cost. Take time to review the details. It’s important that everyone understands the financial commitment and expectations of the team.
What court will you play on?
Now that you have worked your way through our Top Four Tips, you can look at your options and decide where you would like to play. Still have questions? Let us help!
Contact us at: girlsplaytoocanada@gmail.com
Good luck with the tryout season! Ask questions, be patient, and most importantly…have fun! Looking forward to seeing you on the court!
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Rep Prep
Tryouts can be a daunting experience, for both new and experienced players. But don’t fret! Coach Danielle has held so many tryouts we can hardly keep track. So here are some tips and tricks that she has put together to help ease your nerves.
Before we start, it’s important to note that these tips can apply to all levels, but often in different ways. Obviously, we can’t promise that you’ll make the team. But we can definitely help you understand what to expect and hopefully help you overcome those tryout jitters.
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What is the best situation for you?
Newcomers
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New to basketball? No worries! Coaches are often looking for new players. And if you’re really young, they are likely putting together a whole team from scratch (U10). Depending on interest, some clubs might have more than one team per age group. No matter what age you are, the best thing to do is to start with your local club. Get in contact with the President or Director of the Rep Program to find out about the teams, coaches and the playing opportunities that apply to you.
What's the Best Situation for You?
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Everybody is different. And certainly not everyone wants the same experience from the game. It’s important to take the time to ask yourself some important questions which will help determine what team will be best for you:
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What level do you want to play at? Some players get involved in basketball because of the friendships and team atmosphere while others aspire to D1 schools and beyond.
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What parts of your game do you want to improve? Consider your skill level and strengths.
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What can you offer to a team?
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How will this team help you develop as a player and a person, both on and off the court?
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Will your skills and level of play develop over the course of the year?
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What is the team environment like?
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Is winning the most important thing to you? Too often, players and parents focus on the win/loss record, which is not always the best indicator of success. The success of a team and its individual players incorporates many facets of the game.
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Do your homework.
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It’s great to play for your “home” team, but it isn’t necessarily always the best fit, or a team may not be available in your area.
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Research your local team as well as teams within a tolerable driving distance. Remember: You will be attending practices during the winter months when weather can make travel tricky. You don’t want to spend hours commuting to/from practice if you don’t have to.
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School comes first! So set aside time to study and socialize when considering your team commitment.
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Find out which teams are looking for players and have roster spots available. What positions are they in need of?
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The calibre of play can change on a team from one year to the next, so take the time to research where the team finished the previous year and figure out if they are making changes in the coming year.
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Get information, about the cost to play. This is usually posted in the Rep Program section of the club’s website. If not, you can contact the league directly.
Coaches are people too! There is no need to be scared about approaching them. In fact, you are doing them a favour if you reach out ahead of the tryout. Not only does it give you both a chance to get to know a bit about each other, it gives the coach a heads-up to look out for you at the tryout to see what you’re all about. Here’s what to do:
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Contact the coach and express your interest. The initial communication is usually in the form of an e-mail, text message or phone call.
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If possible, contact the coach soon after the previous season has ended.
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Ask the coach about the current roster and where there might be openings for the upcoming season.
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Ask the coach about their coaching philosophy and style of play.
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Inquire about the season schedule including games, practice/training schedule and expectations. (If you’re in grade 12 and want to play at a less demanding level because of school demands, practicing 4 times a week and tournaments every weekend might not be for you.)
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Inquire about anticipated expenses. At this point, you can also ask about what kind of subsidies the club offers, if any.
Communicate with other players on the team
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Reach out to a current player if you know them. Find out about the team. Ask them what their experience has been like.
Off-Season Training
It’s tough to hit the court for a tryout after a summer of relaxation and fun. Some coaches will work you pretty hard in a tryout, just to see what your fitness level is like compared to everyone else. Obviously, your age and stage will play a factor in your off-seasoning training, but here are a few considerations:
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The type of training you do depends on a number of factors – time, cost, type of training needed i.e. strength and conditioning, skill development.
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You might be playing another sport(s) during the off-season which will help with your strength and conditioning (i.e. soccer is very common for girls during the summer).
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Regular daily fitness is built into your regular routine.
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Some players will do a prep for rep camp leading up to tryouts, before school starts. These are usually offered by private academies and camps and cost money to attend.
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Players who are very competitive will often play on an AAU team throughout the off-season. This is a travelling team that attends tournaments throughout North America. There are typically tryouts for these as well.
Getting Ready for the Tryout
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Make sure that you are registered before you go if the team/association requires it (most do). Registration will be on the Rep Program website.
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You might need to pay a small fee to attend the tryout. This covers the cost of the permit and insurance required to run it.
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Confirm the date, time, and location of the tryout. Be aware that these sometimes change at the last minute, so keep an eye on the club’s website, or wherever the schedule has been posted to make sure you know where you’re going and when to get there.
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Bring a reversible jersey, water bottle, and basketball. And, of course, don’t forget your basketball shoes!
Attending the Tryout
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Arrive early and register/sign in.
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You might or might not receive a number. This number will be written on your legs and/or arms for identification purposes during the tryout. Remember, the coach won’t know everyone’s name, and this will be the way they communicate with you throughout the tryout.
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Introduce yourself to the coach(es) and to the other players.
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Put on your gear and fill up your water bottle.
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Make sure to leave your bag and water bottle neatly on the sideline/bench.
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Shoot around at a basket and/or engage in a warmup routine (if you have one).
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Don’t just sit and wait to be told what to do in the warmup. Initiative is always important to a coach.
During the Tryout
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On the day of the tryout, be positive! This is a fun experience. You will work hard, meet new people and learn some things from a new coach. It’s important to take in the whole experience. Coaches will recognize this, and it will go a long way.
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Be enthusiastic! Run to the coach when called.
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Focus on what the coach is saying and follow instructions as best as you can. If you don’t know something or need something clarified – ask. Don’t be shy!
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Hold on to your basketball when someone is speaking.
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Give energy to the group e.g. high-five others and speak words of encouragement – these could be your future teammates!
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Use your voice during a drill/scrimmage. Call names and use hand signals to communicate.
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Communicate on both offense and defense.
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Hustle on the court!
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Do what you do best! Show that you have a grasp of the fundamentals – dribbling, passing, shooting.
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Be a good team player – selfish play is frowned upon.
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If you make a mistake, move on to the next play. Everyone makes mistakes. But the player who can move on quickly and not let it ruin the rest of their game is definitely an asset to the team.
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Stay positive, work hard and have fun!
Once the Tryout is Finished
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High-five your teammates
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Thank the coach(es).
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Before you leave, make sure you understand the team selection process.
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Don't linger. The coaches are not going to communicate any decisions immediately. It's best to let them get on with the next step of their process. This shows respect.
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Follow up with the coach afterwards by sending them an e-mail thanking them for their time.
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Follow up with the coach with any questions you may have about the team.
Final Thoughts
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The tryout process is for everyone. Not only is it an opportunity for you to showcase your talent and present yourself as a player, but it’s also about getting a sense of what the coaching staff and team environment will be like. And for the coaches, it is a chance for them to see how well you will fit with the rest of the team, and if you have what they are looking for in terms of player, position and skill.
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If it is your priority to play on any team this season (not just one in particular), attend several team tryouts. You will better your chances this way. You will also gain more experience with the tryout process, which is an essential part of the sport. You might consider going to another club’s tryout before you go to the tryout that matters most to you so that you can get some experience. This also might give you a back-up plan if you don’t make your first choice.
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Some teams have very little turnover year after year. This is why it is important to speak with the coach ahead of the tryout to find out exactly what they are looking for. Although everyone is required to tryout every year, sometimes a coach has already decided to move forward with members of the team who worked well together and helped the team to reach its goals in the previous season. This is considered normal and fair within the world of girls’ basketball.
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In a perfect world, there is a spot for every girl who wants to play on a rep team. Unfortunately, this is not always the case in girls’ basketball. You might have to take a year to improve your skills at clinics, academies and house league before trying out again next season. However, if you have done your homework, you will likely end up exactly where you belong. The most important thing is that you find a place to keep learning and improving, stay positive and have fun.
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Good luck!
