Registration Eligibility & Tryouts

 

Registration Eligibility

 

Question: How do I know if my son is eligible to register for SLP Traveling Basketball?

Answer: We are a community-based association for athletes in 3rd through 8th grade. Eligibility for SLP traveling basketball is subject to the MYBA guidelines (which were updated for 2022/23 season). The guidelines require athletes to attend school in the SLP district unless they meet one of the few exemptions (for instance: athletes who attend private/charter schools may choose to play for the association where they live or where they go to school). Please find our policy below or contact registration@stlouisparkbasketball.com for more information.

Introduction

As an organization that participates in the Minnesota Youth Basketball Alliance (MYBA, the basketball arm of MYAS), the St Louis Park Boys Traveling Basketball Association (SLPBTBA) seeks to follow MYBA’s guidelines for team formation: Player Eligibility Guidelines. Please refer to the latest version of the full document on MYAS’s website, as it could change over time.  Highlights of the current guidelines are listed below:

MYBA Guideline Highlights

PLAYER ELIGIBILITY:

  1. Athletes must try out and compete with the travel basketball association where they attend school.  An athlete’s home association is determined by where they attend school, not where they reside.

  2. Athletes are allowed to participate with only one MYBA member association or school for the winter community-based youth basketball season.

ELIGIBILITY EXCEPTIONS:

  1. "No opportunity" Exception: If a travel basketball opportunity through an association, school, community education, or similar does not exist in the area representing the youth athlete’s school attendance area, or if the athlete has been cut or restricted from their home association, they may participate with a bordering association. In this situation, the athlete does not need to complete the Player Transfer process.

  2. Multiple HS Exception: In a situation where an individual attends a school that feeds into multiple high schools within a school district, refer to where the athlete resides to determine the designation of their high school attendance area.

  3. Residency Exception: An athlete who lives within the boundaries of an association that does not border the association where they attend school may request a Residency Exception to allow them to participate with the association where they reside.

  4. Private/Charter School Exception: Athletes attending a private/charter school may choose one of the options listed below. Participate with the private/charter school that they attend. Participate with the traveling basketball association where the school is located. Participate with the traveling basketball association where the athlete resides.

  5. Home School and Online School Exception: The athlete may participate with the traveling basketball association where they reside.

CLARIFICATIONS AND TRANSFERS:

  • Clarification of Common Misconceptions: For situations where parents/guardians feel that their son or daughter was placed on a team that does not match their skill level, the MYBA/MYAS cannot intervene. These situations must be worked out with the leadership within their association. If an association does not offer an “A” team (for example), this does not automatically give the athlete the ability to participate with a different association. In these situations, the MYBA Player Transfer process must be completed.

  • Player Transfer (often referred to as a player waiver): A player may request to play with a bordering association. Both the player’s home association and the accepting association must approve the transfer. Must be completed annually.

  • No player transfers will be approved for athletes who tried out and were offered a roster position on a team from their Home Association.

  • Player transfers are limited to one athlete per team. (Note: some exceptions exist.)

  • Transfer requests will not be accepted or approved after November 1 of any given year.

  • Open/All-Star & Independent Teams: Open/all-star and independent teams are NOT allowed to participate in MYAS/MYBA events.

  • Clarification on Minneapolis and St. Paul: Minneapolis and St. Paul are approved to have multiple associations.

SLPBTBA Policy on Transfers

ACCEPTING TRANSFERS INTO SLP:

SLPBTBA will accept transfers only within the latest guidelines set forth by MYBA, and only on an exception-basis by board approval.  A family seeking a transfer can initiate a request by contacting a member of the SLPBTBA board with a Player Transfer form (found on MYAS’s website) that has been signed/approved by their home association (parts A and B completed).

The following principles will guide the board’s decision in accepting or declining a transfer into our program:

  1. The intent in accepting transfers should be to benefit the team, such as situations of filling out a team roster or allow the creation of an additional team.  The goal of transfers is NOT to “bring in ringers” or solely to increase the competitiveness of a team.

  2. We will not “bump” SLP athletes from the program - accepting a transfer should not result in an athlete for whom SLP is their home association losing the opportunity to be on a team.  However, an accepted transfer athlete would be placed on the team where the tryout/team formation process places them from a skill and fit perspective - a transfer will not necessarily be placed on the lowest team.

  3. The family’s reason for seeking a transfer into SLP should be considered.  

  4. Best assessment of an athlete’s overall fit (ie skill/ability, coachability, work ethic, teamwork, etc) as well as prior experience with SLP basketball should be considered, particularly when deciding between multiple candidates for transfer.

APPROVING TRANSFERS OUT OF SLP:

SLPBTBA will only approve transfers out of SLP within the latest guidelines set forth by MYBA, and only on an exception-basis by board approval.  A family seeking a transfer can initiate a request by contacting a member of the SLPBTBA board with a Player Transfer form (found on MYAS’s website) with part A complete.  Transfer requests may only be approved prior to tryouts and team formation.

The following principles will guide the board’s decision in accepting or declining a transfer out our program:

  1. How would losing a player impact the anticipated grade/team, such as the ability to fill out a team roster or field multiple teams?

  2. What is the family’s reason for seeking a transfer out of SLP?

 

Tryouts

 

Question: Are players allowed to make a team if they do not attend tryout sessions in full?

Answer:

  • We expect athletes to attend the player evaluation/tryout session(s).  In an effort to be as fair and accurate as possible in evaluating players, it is best that all players participate in these sessions.
  • If any players are unable to attend or participate (e.g. injury) in tryouts, they must notify the SLPBTBA President in writing prior to tryouts, and then we will treat each situation on a case by case basis.  Please send your request at least one week prior to tryouts by contacting our President (listed on Board Of Directors page) Note: If a situation arises after the date above, the SLPBTBA President should be notified ASAP and the board will again treat each situation on a case-by-case basis.

 

Question: How are players evaluated and teams selected?

Answer:

  • Our overall objective during tryouts is to create a process that results in fair and accurate team selection, resulting in athletes playing at a level appropriate for them giving them the best opportunity for a fun, challenging, and growth-filled season.
  • The board president has responsibility to lead the team formation process and for registering teams in tournaments at the proper level.
  • Only the athletes participating in tryouts and the evaluators are allowed in the gymnasium.
  • We strive to use independent evaluators for our player evaluation process - no parent of a player in grades participating in a session will be used during the tryout evaluations.
  • Our evaluators will assess each player's current state of basketball fundamentals (dribbling, passing, catching, shooting, rebounding, defense, offensive movement, etc.) and attitude (hustle, coachability, effort, willingness to listen, etc.).
  • Prior year coach feedback is also considered - particularly in the areas of attitude (hustle, coachability, effort, willingness to listen, etc.).

 

Question: When are teams announced?

Answer: Teams will be selected shortly after tryouts (typically within one week).  Results will be posted on our website.