Tryout FAQ's

 

 

Member:
Potomac Valley Region AAU

Located in Montgomery County,
Maryland

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1) Q: Which team should my son/daughter try out for?

2) Q: Can I try out for a specific coach’s team?

3) Q: What if my child can not make all of the try outs?

4) Q: How are coaches selected?

5) Q: How do you evaluate players to ensure each player gets a fair try out?

6) Q: What type of experience should a player have before trying out for a Classics Basketball AAU Club Team?

 7) Q: My child plays another sport (Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse etc) – would they be able to play AAU Basketball also?

8) Q: Is playing time guaranteed if my child makes a team?

9) Q: How will the players be selected for a team?

10) Q: If my child did not play for a Classics Basketball Team last year would they still be able to make a team this year?

11) Q: If I don't make a team do I get my tryout fee back?

12) Q: Who selects which players make a team?

13) Q: My child was cut and I believe my son or daughter was a better player than players who did make the team.

14) Q: My son or daughter is very upset over not making a team; what should I say to him or her?

15) Q: How many teams per age bracket will there be?

For a pdf version of these FAQs, please click here.


Q: Which team should my son/daughter try out for?

A: Please visit the Tryouts page for links to the latest AAU Age/Grade Division rules for Girls and Boys. For the 2023-24 program year that begins 09-01-23, Boys Age Divisions are based on the players age as of August 31, 2024. So a boy who is 13 as of 8-31-24 would be in the 13U Division. Girls AAU is Grade/Age based. Grade is determined based on grade as of October 1, 2023, but there is an age limit based on the player's age as of 8-31-24. Please see the links on the Tryouts page for specific eligibility criteria.

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Q: Can I try out for a specific coach’s team?

A: Yes, players can try out for a specific coach’s team. When you turn in your registration form and check in, please note which coach you are planning on trying out for. If you are hoping to tryout for the highest qualified team please let the tryouts gym director know so s/he can alert the team coach(es), BUT do not anticipate that a certain coach will be the coach of the highest qualified team. Coaches frequently move from one team to another (or from one level to another).

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Q: What if my child can not make all of the try outs?

A: Players should try to attend both try-outs. If a player is only able to make 1 of the 2 try-out sessions they may be required to attend a make up try-out session. It is recommended that players make both try-outs to give them the best opportunity to be evaluated. If a player is going to miss a try-out please notify us. Coaches and evaluators will not be aware of why players are not at a tryout without advanced notification. This does not help potential players’ chances of making a team.

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Q: How are coaches selected?

A: Coaching is a volunteer position for Classics Basketball. If we have multiple candidates for a certain age group, interviews will be held. Background and credit checks are done on all coaches. Youth protection and concussion awareness training is also completed by each volunteer coach. All Classics AAU Basketball coaches are experienced coaches with a background in coaching and some will receive reimbursement for travel expenses. Generally our coaches are non-parent coaches and volunteer their time. Classics AAU Basketball has no salaried staff. Since 2017, all Classics Club coaches  are required to obtain a USA Basketball Silver or Gold Coaching License or a NAYSCA certification.

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Q: How do you evaluate players to ensure each player gets a fair try out?

A: Players are put through basic basketball drills to evaluate the skills of shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding, and defense. Please see our Tryouts Tips handout. All players are put through the same drills to ensure that the try-out process is fair. Each coach will speak with their evaluators to let them know what kind of players they are looking for on their team (i.e. shooter, big chooch, great defender).  Here is a link to some tryouts tips for players.

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Q: What type of experience should a player have before trying out for a Classics Basketball AAU Club Team?

A: Players can have wide variety of basketball experience. It is important to remember because we are drawing from multiple communities, AAU teams are more competitive than most Recreational or House league teams, Rising Star, I270, County travel, Middle School, or CYO teams.

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Q: My child plays another sport (Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse etc) – would they be able to play AAU Basketball also?

A: Yes they can still play AAU basketball. Practices are held in the evenings in a 1.5 -2 hour slot between 6-9pm and games are on weekends. Each coach has a different policy on practice and game attendance. Please discuss this matter during our tryouts parents’ session with the specific coach on their policy on missing practices and games. It is important to let the coach know beforehand if you are unable to attend a practice or game. The AAU program is much more competitive than recreational and local select teams because it involves kids from different communities playing on the same team resulting in a better talent pool. Recreational Leagues will consist of teams from one town or school/grade that register together playing teams from other towns. AAU is also a bigger time commitment with practices during the week and tournaments on the weekends. It is also important to keep in mind that players who are unable to attend practice will also miss out on understanding what was covered in practice (ex: a particular play). This is important to understand because it could effect playing time. Also, see our Classics Player and Parent Expectations document which discusses the importance of practice attendance and its impact on playing time.

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Q: Is playing time guaranteed if my child makes a team?

A: Unlike some programs, there is NO GUARANTEED playing time on AAU teams for any player. Coaches must weigh a number of factors for each and every game as to which players will start and who will be subbed in. Coaches generally do not keep track of individual players’ playing time and the worst thing you can do as a parent is go up to a coach right after a game and ask him why your child was in for only one minute and 16 seconds. First of all, contain your emotions and issues, and call and discuss with the coach away from the event. Second, our coaches and other bench personnel do NOT keep track of playing time per se and if that is all you are concerned with then you have missed the broader goals of our program.

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Q: How will the players be selected for a team?

A: Through the try-out process players will be evaluated on their basketball skills, knowledge, athleticism, and attitude. Coaches and evaluators will weigh all these factors in selecting team members.

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Q: If my child did not play for a Classics Basketball Team last year would they still be able to make a team this year?

A: Yes, they will be given a fair opportunity to make the team. Most players that made a team last year will likely make a team again because of the continuous practices and playing they do most of the year, however it is important to remember that each year new players and potentially new talent will be trying out. Every player trying out will be given a fair chance. There are NO GUARANTEED spots on a particular team and all players even the incumbents have to tryout for a spot.

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Q: If I don't make a team do I get my tryout fee back?

A: Refunds will not be given to players who do not make the team. The fee is for the opportunity to try out for the team.

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Q: Who selects which players make a team?

A: Multiple evaluators are assigned to each court to evaluate all players trying out for the team.

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Q: My child was cut and I believe my son or daughter was a better player than players who

did make the team.

A: Deciding who makes each team is not an exact science. Each evaluator/coach will do their best to identify the top players. It is important to remember that all teams need different kinds of players to be successful. Also remember that if a player does not make the A team they may make another team in the Grade Division. Generally, the following areas are assessed by coaches during the tryouts sessions: ball handling (passing and dribbling), shooting (layups, jump shots and free throws), offense, defense, athleticism, and attitude/energy.

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Q: My son or daughter is very upset over not making a team; what should I say to him or her?

A: We understand that getting cut from a team is a heartbreaking experience for any child. It is important that you explain to your child that if they gave their best effort that is what is important. Many good players have been cut at one time or another, Michael Jordan was once cut from his high school team. Players should evaluate the areas that they need improvement in and work at them. Please see our Getting Cut handout downloadable from our website.

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Q: How many teams per age bracket will there be?

A: Most age brackets will have one to three teams depending on the number of coaches and qualified players at each level. The number of teams at each age level will vary depending on the number of potential players at tryouts and available coaches.

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If you have questions about the Classics AAU Basketball program,
please e-mail our
president.
 © 2002-2023 Classics Basketball, Inc.
Updated 8-5-23