PRINCIPLES FOR TEAM SELECTION FOR EACH NEW BASKETBALL SEASON
The Committee have agreed on the following principles for the process of selection of players and building of teams which occurs as we approach the start of each basketball season:
All players must register by Registration Day to be eligible for placement in a team. Players who do not meet this deadline will be placed on a waiting list, and
only placed in a team if an appropriate vacancy exists. Our underlying principle for the selection of teams is on the basis of the skills of the players, as assessed by the Team Selection Coordinator and selectors, after observations and comprehensive consultation with coaches. Also highly valued are commitment to team trainings and games, punctuality and positive team attitudes. Team balance (eg a good mix of talls and guards, balancing team offensive and defensive skills) is also considered. Where there is a small friendship group, i.e. a pair of friends, consideration can be given if they prefer to play together. If there is a skill difference between such players, the pair will be placed in a team ranked at a level that reflects the standard of the lesser player. Both players must register on time, and indicate on the Registration form that they both wish to play in the same team. If the request is one-sided, it will be ignored. Any requests for friends, or any other concerns, should be noted on the Registration form. While these will be considered, the Committee cannot guarantee that they will be met. The club supports the EDJBA's deliberate policy of changing age limit cut-offs to mix up players, as this forces clubs to ensure players learn from each other, and it mixes up and enlarges their social networks. We therefore will not accept any friendship teams registering in teams from the under 16 age group and below. Once the teams have been selected, they cannot be altered at the whim of players/parents. Anyone with a serious concern/grievance may politely approach or express it in writing to the appropriate Selectors Co-ordinator, who may review the selection in particular circumstances.
Ivanhoe Team selection information
The primary means of selecting teams is on the ability of the player. However, this is not the only criterion and selectors have to make decisions taking into account a wide number of competing factors. The selectors have to find a balance. One change can affect multiple teams. Furthermore, once selected, team lists are registered with the EDJBA and cannot be altered. As a result of this, decisions by the selection co-ordinators are final, and are not able to be appealed.
Assessing the ability of a player is subjective. The selectors may not agree with you, or each other on who is the “better” player. Generally, selectors do not assess their own children. Coaches’ input is important, but coaches are often only familiar with the players they have coached, and do not assess the other players in the age group.
Team number is a guide to the team’s ability. It is not a direct measure of a players’ ability. The grade in which they play again reflects the team’s ability, not the individual player’s.
Teams are not always fully composed of the best 7,8 or 9 players, followed by the second best 7,8 or 9 players and so on.
Reasons why a less skilled player may have been placed in a higher team than a more skilled player include:
- The more skilled player is not available to train on a particular night.
- The less skilled player is more skilled in certain attributes which the higher team needs. E.G. offensive and defensive positioning and court spacing, shooting technique, rebounding etc…
- The more skilled player has commitment or behavioural issues at training and/or games.
- Confidence/performance/development issues with either player. Some players need a season at a higher level and some players need a season at a lower level to help with their development or confidence.
- The less skilled player is more coachable, has more potential or is on a steeper improvement curve than the more skilled player.
- Sometimes two or more players just have to be separated for whatever reason.
- Two or more parents of similar ability players want to coach their child. Coaches selection is also a factor in team selection.
There are always some players coming down an age group and some players coming up an age group. Most players spend two seasons in each age group, and older players are often in the higher graded teams.
Often there are 10-20 or more players in the same age group that the selection committee judge to be of similar ability. Consequently they may be selected to play in relatively even teams. It is not unusual for several teams to be in the same grade.
Remember that the team selections are not indefinite selections. They are a placement for the 16 odd weeks of the next season only. The selectors watch the teams throughout the season and look at all players again with a fresh eye, looking for players who need to be moved.
The selectors see all teams for all age groups throughout the season, not just the team that your son or daughter played in.
There is always talent putting pressure on team selections and talent develops at different rates and at different times. For instance, playing in an 15.1 team and then in summer going to a 16.1 team, does not guarantee you of being selected in the 15.1 team the following season.
If there is anything the selection committee should know before teams are selected, then please get in contact with the co-ordinator A.S.A.P. before or immediately after registration day. We are not mind readers and we need time to select teams.
If you think a player has been placed inappropriately, you may contact the team selection co-ordinator, with a view to re-assessing the player for next season. The co-ordinator is not obliged to explain their decision. The registration form that you sign clearly states that you will accept their decision by playing in the team in which you are placed.
If you wish to be considered to assist with the selection process, please indicate this on the registration form.
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