Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Organizational Information


What Is The “Starting 5ive” Basketball Club?

The “Starting 5ive” (S5) is a Christian-based basketball club organized and operated by community parents and leaders in Harris and Fort Bend County, TX. 

 

How Old Is The Club?

The Club was developed in July 2007.  We plan to obtain AAU club membership by September 1, 2007.  Our first season of competition will be Feb 2008.

 

How Many Teams Make Up The “Starting 5ive”?

This year, we will start with one team, comprised of approximately 10 – 12 boys, with a maximum of 15 boys 7th grade/13 and under (13U).   In March 2008, the boys will be 13U team will move up to the 8th Grade/14 and under (14U) division.  Our goal is to gradually build more teams by 2012, comprised of 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, and 17U age competition levels.

 

Games and Tournaments

 

How Many Games Make Up The Season?

Anywhere from 30 – 50 or more, depending on which tournament the team plays in, how many tournaments the team plays in and how far they go in the tournament. The team has to enter a tournament to play games. We guarantee participation in at least 8 tournaments as part of the fee.

 

How Long Does The Season Last?

 

Development Phase (Oct - Feb): During this phase, we work on physical conditioning and development of fundamentals. This season will not conflict with a player in other sports (school or recreation).

 

Competition Phase (March - August): This is when all the hard work pays off. Tournaments typically start in early March.  Tournaments are held every weekend and end in August with the National Championships. Our focus shifts to a more competitive team development phase. We play in tournaments about every two weeks culminating with National tournaments in June and August. All players must be available during this time.

Who Runs The Tournaments?

There are many associations that sponsor and sanction tournaments, but we generally participate in only three (3). Typically clubs will have memberships with organizations  such as AAU (Amateur Athletic Union), and BCI (Basketball Congress International). AAU is the most well known and is comprised of basically elite, all-star type teams, with some that travel all over the country to play in AAU sanctioned tournaments. BCI is mostly comprised of competitive teams that would not be considered “elite” and usually are other travel teams. S5 does not sanction or run any tournament, but we may serve as a “host” for tournaments, which means we secure a gym and supply people to run the scoreboard, concession stand and act as on-site facility and tournament directors. The times, dates and locations are scheduled and controlled by the respective associations, not the Club.

 

How Do The Tournaments Work?

Each group posts their sanctioned or approved tournaments on their respective websites. Each tournament has a stated entry fee, ranging from $185 - $450 each, with a stated number of guaranteed games to be played. The higher the “game guarantee” or status of the tournament, the larger the entry fee. Most tournaments guarantee at least 3 games during the weekend, but up to 5 or 6 games could be played during the tournament if a team makes it to the championship round. Tournaments can be “Invitationals” (open to any Club), “regional qualifiers”, “super-regional qualifiers”, “state or district championships” and “national championships”. State, District and National tournaments normally require qualifying in a “regional” or “super-regional” event in order to participate.

 

How Are The Tournaments Picked?

The Head Coach, in consultation with the player’s parents, decides which tournaments to attend over the course of the season. S5 will play in at least 10 tournaments or a minimum of 30 games.

 

Where Are The Tournaments Played?

The team could attend a tournament in another city or state. Some are small, local tournaments, some are regional or state-wide or national invitationals. For example, Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex holds a national invitational each year in the spring, open to any team. Our team will primarily play in local tournaments and tournaments within 1 – 4 hours of the Houston area, not to exceed 400 miles.  However, there will be times that the tournaments are in other states, such as Nevada and Florida, so travel is required to such areas.  Most of our trips will be day trips on Saturday and Sunday, with some tournaments beginning on a Thursday or Friday evening.

 

How Does A Team Make It To Nationals?

A National Championship tournament is held by each group we are associated with. Invitations however must be earned by qualifying in a national invitational or state championship. Normally the top 4-8 teams per age group receive a bid to play in the National Championship tournament at the end of the season.

 

When Are “Nationals”?

Nationals are usually held in July at different locations.  BCI holds their tournament in Texas. AAU is held at various cities depending on the age group and changes yearly. The tournaments can last from 3-4 days to an entire week.

 

Playing Time and Team Composition

 

When Are The Teams Formed?

Tryouts will typically be held in the fall of each year to determine interest level for a particular age or grade team.  Tryouts and final team roster spots are determined during January or February unless a spot is offered by the coach earlier.  No spot is guaranteed until all fees have been paid. It is up to the Head Coach to pick the team.

 

How Are The Players Determined?

It is the coach’s discretion on what type of team and what players best fit his or her style or system of play. For example, an extremely good point guard may be passed over for a bigger kid due to the need for size or because there are too many guards already on the team.

 

What Position Will My Child Play?

Success at the recreational, church or YMCA level does not guarantee success at the competitive level. All the players are good, some are great and you may have to pay to see them play someday! Just because a player averaged 20 points per game in recreational league and played point guard does not guarantee they can get across half court at the competitive level. The coach must decide the best use of skills, which may not be what a player is normally accustomed to. Parents and players must be flexible in their expectations and desires and realistic in the ability of the player.

 

Who Determines Eligibility by age or grade?

The S5 compete in age-correct AAU/BCI events such as the regional qualifiers, State and National Championships.  The determining date for the age of the players is September 1, at 12:00am.  In essence, you can go by year of birth. For example: September 1, 2008 shall be the determining date for the age of the competitor and shall hold true for  Super Regional, District  and National Championships. For example, an athlete born, September 15, 1991, would be age eligible to play in the 16U/10th Grade Division in 2008.  If the same athlete is a 9th Grade student as of March 1, 2008, he would be eligible to play 15U/9th Grade as a Grade Exception. A copy of the player’s birth certificate and a recent photo will be needed throughout the season. Age divisions 8U to 14U may have a maximum of 3 grade exceptions. All other grade divisions have no limit of grade exceptions.  Grade level is determined by player’s grade on March 1, 2008.

 

How Many Players Are On A Team?

Rules allow us up to 15, but we try to hold the team at 10-12 players so everyone has a good opportunity to play.

 

Is Playing Time Equal?

No. Unlike recreational, church or YMCA ball, playing time is at the discretion of the coach and must be earned. Court time can change from game to game or tournament to tournament, depending on how the Head Coach needs to handle time, strategy or match-ups. Not attending practice, failing grades, attitude problems, failure to follow instruction or respect authority and teammates, or past on-court performance are all factors. However, each player is guaranteed at least 5 minutes of playing time each game. 

 

How Long And Often Are Practices?

During the off-season (Development Phase), we will practice one to two days per week, preferably on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons.  During the season (Competition Phase), we try to practice about 2 – 3 days per week, which could also be a weeknight or weekend when not attending a tournament. Practices normally last approximately 2 ½ hours.


Development Phase (Oct - Feb): During this phase, we work on physical conditioning and development of fundamentals. This season will not conflict with a player in other sports (school or recreation). See our Development Programs detailed on the website.

Competition Phase (March - August): This is when all the hard work pays off. Our focus shifts to a more competitive team development phase. We play in tournaments about every three weeks culminating with National tournaments in June and August. All players must be available during this time.


Fees And Other Costs

 

How Is The Player Participation Fee Determined?

We add up all the expected costs for one team to operate for the season and divide that total by the number of players on the roster. 
 

Are There Any Other Costs Involved?

Only if the team, coach and parents decide to travel more or attend more than the 10 guaranteed tournaments, then costs will have to be paid for by the parents by fundraising or direct contributions. For example, out of town trips that require an overnight stay would involve gas, food and hotel expenses for the weekend. These are additional costs that are not pre-collected. National tournaments are also not pre-collected, since we do not know if any team will qualify for the national championship tournament. These costs will have to be determined by the parents and monies would have to be raised for the team to attend.

 

Can I Get My Money Back If I Don’t Like It?

No, fees are non-refundable, with a few exceptions, as listed in the registration packet. Fees collected are used to buy uniforms, travel bags, shooting shirts; rent gym space for practice, purchase league memberships and basketballs; cover operational fees and pay tournament entry fees. The money is invested in the team and is not available once the season starts.

 

Will There Be Any Fundraisers Or Sponsorships To Help With The Fees?

There will be a minimum of three scheduled fundraisers to help cut cost for player fees, “National” tournaments, travel costs, etc (ex. magazine sales, golf tournament, tournaments).  Team members will be responsible for these fundraisers.  The organization will not require parents or players to take on the responsibility of soliciting funds for participation. However, if a player does not participate in the three scheduled fundraisers, the parent is responsible for the full cost of all expenditures.  In other words, a fundraising fee may be added to your membership fees if you choose not to participate. Tournaments, camps and clinics may be held from time to time to cover certain expenses, but each player is responsible for his own fees, as set by the Club from year to year.