AAU Basketball FAQs
CAL Sports Academy Boys and Girls Travel Basketball Team Tryouts
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Q: Which team is my son/daughter trying out for?
A: For the 2012 AAU season, please view the eligibility page under AAU menu on our website.
Q: What if my child can not make all of the try outs?
A: It is highly recommended that players make all tryouts to give them the best opportunity to be evaluated. If a player is going to miss a try-out please notify Coach Corey. Coaches will not be aware of why players are not at a tryout without advanced notification. This does not help potential players’ chances of making the team.
A: There will be 3 tryouts and the cost is $32 per player regardless of attendance. All payments must be done online prior to the first tryout. If a player misses the first tryout, he/she will still be charged $32.
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. All players are put through the same drills to ensure that the try-out process is fair.
Q: What experience should a player have before trying out for CAL Sports Basketball AAU 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, Middle School, or CYO teams.
Q: My child plays another sport (Baseball, Soccer, etc) – would they be able to play AAU Basketball also?
A: Yes they can still play AAU basketball. Practices will be 1.5 -2 hour slots during the week and weekends when they are no tournaments, and games are on weekends (some tournaments start on Friday evenings). 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, download our CAL Sports Player and Parent Expectations document which discusses the importance of practice attendance and its impact on playing time.
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 the coach to discuss 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.
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 will weigh all these factors in selecting team members.
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.
Q: Who selects which players make a team?
A: CAL Sports Coaching Staff.
Q: My child was cut and I believe they were a better player than players who did make the team.
A: Deciding who makes each team is not an exact science. Cal Sports Sporting Staff 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.
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.
