Fremd HS Girls Feeder Basketball

FREMD FEEDER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1)  When are tryouts held?

·         Tryout information is posted on the website at www.fremdgirlsfeeder.com.  Information is also posted on the D15 website and social media sites as deemed appropriate.

·         Tryouts for all grades will be in September and/or October as established by the individual coaches.

·         Tryout locations vary, but they have usually been held at Harper College.

·         Tryouts are generally 1 night.  If needed, coaches could schedule a 2nd night for callbacks. 

·         Registration Forms must be completed online at www.fremdgirlsfeeder.com. 

·         Individual coaches have the responsibility of notifying players and their families as to whether they are invited to join a Fremd Feeder team.

2)  How are teams chosen?

·         Girls participate in various drills to evaluate their basic basketball skills. 

·         Small side scrimmages may take place to see how girls react to game situations with defensive pressure.

·         Evaluations for all tryout attendees will be conducted by current and/or past Fremd Feeder Girls Coaches.

·        To ensure all team members receive appropriate playing time, teams cannot have unlimited rosters. However, if enough girls have the desire to join Fremd Feeder, multiple teams could be formed at any grade level.  In the past, many grade levels have had two teams.  A second team for an age group is only formed if parent volunteer coaches are available to coach any additional team, and the total number of girls warrants an additional team.

·         All girls must try out for each age group, even if they were on a Feeder Team the previous year.

3)  Can my daughter “play up” to a team comprised of girls at an older level?

·         Playing up is not encouraged by Fremd Feeder, but if all Feeder coaches agree on the exceptional talent of any player, then that player will have the option to play up.  The player must evaluate to make the "A" team.  We will not allow a player to play up to play on the "B" team.  If that player doesn't make the "A" team of the "play up" level, then they will go back to their designated age level.

4)  How many Feeder teams are there each year?

·         There is always at least one team per age group. If there are enough SKILLED girls to form two teams at a specific age group, consideration will be made to form a second team.  In the past, many grade levels have had two teams.

·         An important consideration for a second team will be the availability of capable coaches who have the time and knowledge to provide quality coaching for the team.

·         The advantage of a second team is providing a greater number of girls with the skills necessary to effectively compete at the high school level. Typically, Fremd HS fields two freshman teams.

5)   Who coaches the Fremd Feeder Girls Teams?

·         Coaches are volunteers with backgrounds in basketball. Many come out of the Park District basketball programs. Most coaches are former basketball players who generally competed at least at the high school level.

·         Coaches include parents of current Feeder Team members and also volunteers who have no daughters in the Fremd Feeder program. Fremd Feeder continues to try and attract more coaches with no children in the program to ensure greater impartiality in the forming and running of each team. Usually, one of the coaches at any given grade level is a parent with a daughter on the team they assist in coaching.

6) How long is the season, and how many games are there in a season?

·          The season starts with practices in October. Games start in November or December. The season ends in early March.

·           It is expected that Fremd Feeder will be the primary athletic team or organization for each player during this time period.

·            The number of games will depend on the coaches and parents. It is recommended that each team play around 30-40 games. Some teams play more and some less.

·            Games include league play, one-day shootouts, tournaments, and "friendly" games.  

                             7) How are practices organized, and where are practices held?

·         All teams will have at least one practice per week. The older age groups will have a second practice day. Times and days of the week will vary due to the availability of gym spaces.

·       Most practices will be held at Harper College, Fremd High School, and Thomas Jefferson Middle School.  The organization has utilized the District 15 school gyms and local Park District gyms.  Those include Palatine, Inverness, Hoffman Estates, and Barrington Park District.  Individual coaches will provide practice schedules to their respective parents.

·         Practices are generally 1.5-2 hours in length. Practice time is spent developing basic skills through a variety of drills. Game conditions are simulated through controlled scrimmages. 

                            8) Where are the games played?

·       Teams will play their home games on Saturday and/or Sunday afternoons at Fremd High School. Away games will be played at our opponent’s home gyms.

·        The Fremd Feeder program plays in the DuPage Youth Travel Basketball League (DYTBL).  There are 2 leagues within the DYTBL, North and Central.  Individual coaches will determine what division they will play in.  Historically speaking, "A" teams have played in the Gold Division and "B" teams have played in the Silver Division.  

·         A team may play in a small number of tournaments each year, which are hand-picked by the coaches at each grade level.

·         Some Feeder teams play games outside of their league play against teams that are historically good, competitive “rivals”.

·         Games are played mostly in the greater Chicago area, with most drives no longer than one hour at the most, with a few exceptions.

                           9) What are the costs involved in participating in the Fremd Feeder Program?

·         Costs can vary year to year depending on various cost components, including practice gym time, uniforms, tournaments, leagues, referees, insurance, and other miscellaneous expenses (gym bags, team sweatshirts, etc.).

·         Parents should allocate around $650-$800 for participation on a team of 10 girls. Any money left at the end of the year is distributed in equal shares back to all families. Most teams will require about half of the projected fee immediately when the team is formed.  The second half is usually collected in December, and any shortfall for the year is collected at the end of the season.  Each team will determine how it collect participation fees.

·         Parents may decide on fundraising activities to offset the costs.

·         Note that Fremd Feeder is a not-for-profit organization.  In addition, there are currently no paid coaches on any Feeder team.

                               10) What are the objectives of the Fremd Feeder Girls Program?

·         The number one objective is to effectively develop the fundamental skill level of every participant, including the basic skills of dribbling, passing, and shooting, to prepare each player to be a contributor to the Fremd HS basketball teams starting in their freshman year. In addition, Feeder provides an opportunity to develop a greater understanding of basketball game strategies, including offensive and defensive schemes.

·         Keep as many girls as possible enjoying and continuing their basketball experience through grade school/junior high and into high school.

·         Providing highly competitive game situations in which to utilize and hone those skills learned in practice.

·         Provide a positive team experience where the girls mature emotionally and physically within a group setting. A positive attitude and respect for self, team, parents, coaches, officials, and opponents are stressed at all times.

·         Develop Life Skills:

o   Working with and understanding group dynamics

o   Goal setting

o   Developing leadership skills

o   Understanding winning and losing as part of the total life experience

o   Sportsmanship

o   Embracing and accepting challenges (competing)

·         Winning by and of itself is not the main goal of Feeder. However, the Feeder Program does understand that team success is a relevant factor in providing an overall positive basketball experience. The goal will be to prepare the girls individually and as a team to put each team in the best position to effectively compete with other Feeder teams.

o   Learning to give 110% effort in practice and during games is the key element of determining true personal success. The wins and losses will take care of themselves.

o   Parents who are interested in winning as the primary driving force of their daughter’s basketball experience probably should pursue a club or AAU team approach vs. participating in Fremd Feeder.

                             11) What determines playing time?

• • • • • Fremd Feeder is not an entitlement program for playing time (which is generally the rule for Park District Programs). Fremd Feeder playing time will depend on each team’s philosophy. Playing time among the various players on the team may depend on a variety of variables, including skill levels of the players involved, practice participation, game effectiveness, and knowledge of the team’s various offensive/defensive strategies.
        • However, all coaches are aware that game experience is a key component of player growth. At the younger ages, it is a goal that all players get reasonable minutes in the games to enhance their overall basketball experience through game involvement. Determination of reasonable minutes should be looked at over a season’s length, versus looking at every quarter, half,  or game as a stand-alone event. As the girls get older, more emphasis is placed on “competing” for playing time.
        • Parents and coaches should thoroughly discuss playing time in a parent/coach meeting at the start of each year. Discussion of playing time by parents with coaches during the season is discouraged.

                               12) What parent involvement is available?

• • • • • The Fremd Feeder Program, above all, is a program about the players involved. The request is for parental support for the girl’s efforts, the team’s evolution, and the energy being put into the team by the volunteer coaches.
        • Opportunities are available for head coaches and assistant coaches. Potential Coaches will be evaluated at each level. This includes new and returning coaches.  All new coaches will be expected to meet with the current organization's leadership to discuss the goals of the team and the organization.
        • Many teams will involve parents in a variety of potential functions, which historically have included, but are not limited to:
          
          • • Team Manager: Handling all administrative functions of the teams.
            • Scheduler: Helps coaches contact teams to schedule games and tournaments.
            • Fundraising Coordination
            • Statistician
            • Timekeeper/scorer (Most leagues require the competing teams to provide either a scorekeeper or timekeeper for all games)
            • Uniform Coordinator
        • It is imperative that every parent carefully evaluate their expectations and goals before joining any competitive travel team, whether it is basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, volleyball, softball, cheer, dance, etc.
          • • • The travel experience is and should be about the girls in the program. At times, some parents find it difficult to remain in the background and may enter the program with unrealistic expectations as to how they can personally impact their daughter’s team.
              • The key for the parents is to enjoy the process of the four-year journey from the sidelines. Any girl selected to the Fremd Feeder Girls Basketball program will compete at a high level not found outside of a Feeder program or a club/AAU program. The training provided will enable each participant to develop her game to the highest level possible for her skill set, provided she has the necessary dedication and desire to learn.