: 'Q-and-A'

~ 2008-09 INFO APPEARS BELOW, UPDATES FOR 2009-10 WILL APPEAR SOON ~
~ 2008-09 INFO APPEARS BELOW, UPDATES FOR 2009-10 WILL APPEAR SOON ~  

Below follows a list of The Most Asked Questions we have encountered over the years as it pertains to membership with Legion Basketball Group. The questions themselves appear in no specific order and the answers appear directly below the question it pertained to. Many of these have more detailed answers that can be found elsewhere on this website (and that will be noted in the answer) and others will have responses here.

You will likely find at least one question here that "fits" one you have. We believe this points directly to an information need that you as a parent (or player) have. And if it is a similar question, that means others before you have had it too. We are happy to address them each as we can, as completely as possible, with the integrity and honesty you would expect.

.BE ADVISED: If you have questions about the Legion_S.E.L.E.C.T. Teams, please go to the Legion_S.E.L.E.C.T. Website:  www.SELECT.legionbb.com  for the most comprehensive and current information about the S.E.L.E.C.T. offering.

If you should find that a question you have is not covered here or anywhere else in this site; please fee free to e-mail us with the e-mail link provided in the main bar (gray at top of the page) or by typing in:  legionbasketballgroup@yahoo.com  in your own e-mail system.


WHERE IS YOUR CLUB BASED OUT OF?
A number of people presume that since a club has their tryouts in a certain city or school district that the club is "based out of" that school or area. With a number of clubs that may be the case (majority of girls from that area, school, etc.) With The Legion, it is not.

In every year of our club's existance, we have been represented by no fewer than 40+ different school districts, communities and areas. Over the years, we have had members from as far North as Flint and Saginaw, as far South as Wyandotte and Grosse Ile, as far East as Clinton Township and Mount Clemens, and as far West as Leslie and Howell. We contend that many aspects of our offering must have been very successful, as evidenced by the diversity of the membership and from where they hail. Keep in mind that the place where the tryouts are is not an accurate descriptor for where we reside. Our "base" of operations is only where our mail goes. Our scope is competing at the Statewide level. Our membership is comprised of players from the whole of a Multi-county Area.


WHERE DO YOU HOLD YOUR PRACTICES?
As above, this is usually a question aimed at determining if the geographic "location" of a club or in this case – team's practices, would be a good fit for a prospective player.

The practices for each team are set by the coach of that team. In many cases, a location more convenient for the coach is where he or she selects to hold them (as they are volunteer positions, it is understandable that the coach have at least one aspect of the season to their benefit.) However, with ALL OUR TEAMS, cost of practice facility is a paramount consideration. Any way you present it, this may mean using a site that may not be convenient for some. With members coming from so many areas, it is unlikely the practice site will be "good for" everyone all the time anyway.

We'd advise that you not limit yourself in making a decision about AAU Team membership with The Legion or any club weighing too much on this practice location topic. When you consider everything premeire clubs like ours have to offer, the location of practices on maybe two days a week is, in the big picture, pretty insignificant. Hundreds of players and parents before you having done so are proof of it.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
In short, there are static fees for Club Operations costs that all members pay; Uniforms Fees that only NEW Members pay. After that, Team Fees for each specific team are applied to the total and that determines your cost. As each team will do some things different (practices, tournaments, equipment needs, etc.) the Team Fees may all be different. A figure to use in generic discussion (estimate) would be to say that Legion costs "about $500.00" which includes: Uniforms, Club Fees, AAU Card and Supplemental Insurance, Tournaments, and Practices. Last year, some teams fees were more expensive than this, some were less. Again, it depends on the team.

Club Administration encourages your coach to promote a fundraiser to defray escalating costs, which are encountered each year (for gym time, tournaments, etc.) Players/families are expected to participate in the fundraiser, thus keeping (or further reducing) the per-player team fees costs low. Teams also secure business sponsorships or donations to further aid in these efforts.

Each team’s coach will have a preliminary estimate of their 2009 Team Fees at tryouts.


HOW OFTEN  DO YOU PRACTICE?
Again, practices are set by each team and are an independant function of said team. "Set" schedules from The Club do not exist governing the number of practices, which days, how many days or length of each day they are held. All our teams are strongly encouraged to set a minimum of 40+ hours of practice for the season–most will get close to 50. This amounts to an average of about two practices a week, at 1.5-2.0 hours each. Once again, these are not "rules", merely guides based on averages from prior seasons.


HOW MANY GAMES OR TOURNAMENTS DO YOUR TEAMS PLAY IN?
For the younger (13u/8th grade girls) and some of the younger boys teams, Weekend tournament games begin roughly in mid-January. The tournament schedule gets thicker with a wider offering around February-March for these younger team ages. After the end of the high school basketball seasons for girls and boys, there will be tournaments offered virtually every weekend. The first weekend for the 14u-18u Girls teams' playing will be March 28th-29th of 2009; the weekend AFTER TRYOUTS (Tryouts are March 22nd for the high-school aged girls.) The boys events will begin similarly, a week or so removed from our tryout day (March 29th is tryouts for Boys.)

The number of tournaments are set by each team and are an independant function of said team. The exception is that we mandate ALL LEGION TEAMS (boys and girls) to attend one tournament together the same weekend, as an entire club, so that we might support each other. The scheduling of games at each event is always the function of the tournament host team or organization.

Club Administration suggests each team set a minimum of 26 games for the season–most will get 34+. This amounts to 7-9 tournaments. The tournament format can change by event; some feature 3 games, some 4 or 5. Selecting them (aside from the mandated two as mentioned above) is the perogative of the Legion coach.


HOW MANY TEAMS DO YOU HAVE IN EACH AGE OFFERED?
At least two in each age 9u-15u may be offered, and one each in 16u (includes 17u juniors) and 18u (includes 17u seniors.) If we find that there are enough youngsters on the day of our tryouts to make additional competitive teams, we will do so. It has happened in past years, and we are committed to do so yearly.


WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?
Competitive basketball like this requires that players and parents be prepared to do more than most other players and parents that do not participate in travel ball do. In an nutshell, that mentality alone will set you apart. Additionally, to create the superlative type of experience we do with Legion (and get everything our of it you can), we request that you make every effort to attend all practices and games. Of course, there are occasional reasons that you may not be able to make a practice or game as the season goes on. Hopefully, these will be few (rare) and unique (singular) as they occur.

As part of a common courtesy, any family vacation and so forth should be communicated to the coach at the first practice or team meeting. Likewise, if you participate in another school sport, or are in a school group–that you inform the coach what your limitations will be in attending. That being said, there is still NO WAY we can expect everyone to make every Legion event. It has never happened, and we do not foresee this will be the season that it does. Sometimes, life does get in the way of basketball!

We will work with you. But don't for a minute think that you can't do AAU because you won't have enough time “because of volleyball and some AP classes you're taking”, etc. About 3600 girls and 2200 boys across the state play AAU, and some of them also play a school sport, and have tough classes (or some that are even tougher) and they STILL can do it. The relationship between a time commitment and time management is one thing that can definitely be learned by participation in club sports. You'll find Legion teammates are great resources and help for you with studies and ways to get it done. And our coaches have all seen a number of articles over the years that point to sports and extra-curricular activities being a catalyst for increased GPAs during the respective seasons they are held. In the whole equation, the basic point is that you're not special because you've got other things going on, and having "more time to study” doesn’t mean the player will do so. The time commitment we're talking about here is almost too insignificant to mention: practice maybe twice weekly, 2-4 hours total; all AAU games are on Saturday or Sunday.) If you're asking about time commitment, FIRST ask if you are sure you want to do this at all–because if you do, it can be done.


WHY DO YOU GUYS COST SO MUCH MORE THAN SOME OTHER CLUBS?
Fees charged by AAU Girls Basketball Clubs cover three primary areas inclusive with membership:  Uniforms, Practices, and Tournaments (games.) Understand that some costs for ALL clubs go up (tournaments, club registration, etc.) Businesses, school districts, and other entities that have gyms figured out that renting gym time can be very lucrative–so they, too have raised rates. Consider two things in this entire process: 1) NO ONE involved with The Legion is paid any sum or receives any stipend for our commitment to the club. All paid fees go to the overall benefit and experience of the players. 2) The age-old rules: “let the buyer beware” or “you get what you pay for.” We'd hope looking solely at a price list would not be the exclusive determining issue in where you decide to play AAU, though it may be a factor. If greater detail is needed about costs, bring it to our attention, so we can better explain for a common understanding. It's about people, not money.

At Tryouts, any athlete that is chosen for our teams must pay a nonrefundable deposit on the players' season fees, due immediately to hold their spot with us. A summary of those charges, which would be due AT TRYOUTS, can be found in the "Tryouts Information Central" section of our website (link above.)

The complete TOTAL FEES for the 2009 Season of Legion AAU Basketball are different for each team, and include EVERYTHING for participation for the entire season.

When it is all said and done, assume about $500.00 (+/- depending on the team) may come out of pocket. Legion members who came from other clubs have remarked that even though the prior club they were with publicized a different total amount; it often times "ended up being" over $500.00 when extra practices were added, additional tournaments were entered, etc. This is a common practice, but not with The Legion.


WHAT IS YOUR POLICY ON PLAYING TIME?
Clubwide, such a policy is nonexsitant. Which is not to say that we don't have a perspective and opinion on the whole "playing time" equation, quite the contrary. This answer presents our points of consideration for not having such a policy.

We believe so much in Playing Time and it's fundamental importance to the player–that we put it in the player's hands to control. Coaches decide lineups and rotations (who starts, who goes in for who and at what position, etc.) For players who want to play what might be considered significant time, it is up to you to learn the plays; attend the practices; be coachable; respect your coaches, teammates and opponents; be dilligent and work very hard; compete to win and improve every day. It is the responsibility of the player to make it hard for the coach to keep you off the floor.

Now that we've established that viewpoint, here's another: One positive aspect of club ball is the daily state of cooperative competitiveness players are immersed in at each gathering. Unlike "rec" teams where everyone gets to play (basically because they show up for games and paid some money for the experience) your time with most worthwhile club groups will be based on what has been described above. Do not confuse opportunity with obligation; attendance with entitlement.

A comment was once made that "Shouldn't kids who show up all the time play more than kids who may miss a practice on occasion?" Perhaps. Subjective questions like these demand a great communication pathway between coach-player-parent. Assuming this statement made was true, then kids who show up for every practice, etc. should play more than those that do not–EVEN THOUGH they may not be the most skilled or may not have a great grasp on the plays and sets. So, should they still play? If so (and they are lacking in these other areas) then the total team performance may suffer. Just "showing up" is not a guarantee of any time; it should be considered a requisite of one being ELIGIBLE to play. Otherwise, kids who have poor work ethic, little respect for others, bad attitude, are not coachable and do not compete–should play, just because they show up to practices? No.

What our administration conveys to our coaches, is that there may only be one or two extreme instances when every youngster would not be able to play. And we provide the coaches through training and clinics some ways to work substitutions and rotations to make this a viable reality. So, any extra discussion about the "possibilities of not playing" may be irrelevant. The question posed was about a uniform, clubwide policy on playing time. Is there one? No. Does every Legion member play in each game? Yes.


WHAT ABOUT SCHOOL SPORTS? (TRACK, SOFTBALL, BASEBALL, ETC.)
In a previous question the comment about kids who attend practice being ELIGIBLE to play more than those that do not was made. This is a key point for those that play a school sport at the same time as AAU. Because of the school sport, they may miss a practice or game; and thus, it may affect their "status" on the Legion team. Oftentimes, this is simply a matter of not being able to start, or being one of the last ones to get rotated in the lineup, etc. This is not a punishment or penalty–simply an effort to balance the condition of fairness across to all the players who have paid the same money and made similar commitments to the same Legion team.

We’re not of the mind to "force" kids to choose AAU over the school activity, when/if the events and their times conflict. Some do choose the Legion commitment in that case, it is their perogative. Most do not. Your basketball experience will not be tainted by Legion staff if you're a Spring track, soccer or baseball/softball, etc. player–each with your school team. But if the "other commitment" is another club sport (volleyball, for example) then we would expect there to be some compromise between us and that team. And when Summer football starts (boys), and the activities are non-mandatory, we are also expecting some occasional compromises from each player. However, if football is THAT important to you, then you may want to re-think coming out for Legion Basketball.

Regarding the investment of time: playing a school sport and AAU seems, on the surface, to be a dangerous combination. Quite the contrary is true. If you want to do AAU and a school sport, it can be done, it's done all the time. We're not here to make it any harder on you, than you make for yourself. Be mindful that to be fair to Legion teammates, those who miss practices because of these reasons may "miss out" of preferred status areas as the AAU season goes on.


WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR TEAM?
Certainly, this depends on the team. We treat all of our teams in the same fasion (same uniforms, same opportunities for practices/tournaments, same level of promotion and representation and support.) Unlike many clubs, we don't designate our teams as "A" or "B" -- "Red", "White" or "Blue" levels or the like. We believe the team is what it shows during the season in growth, improvement, reaching goals, etc. Marking a team to any level BEFORE the tryout and before they've even played a single game seems wrong to us. Perhaps they believe they "already know" what the team will be–based on how they were last year (and who they have returning/playing this year.) But how would they know this? Aren't teams picked AT TRYOUTS? Hmm...

Anyway, the link below:

http://eteamz.active.com/thelegion/news/index.cfm?id=3046898&cat=0

will reconnect you to the page of our website which deals with this question in great great detail. It is a commentary on how we describe our teams and a comprehensive overview on the three types of all Michigan AAU Girls Basketball Teams. Good stuff.


HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE OF PLAYING AAU FOR THE LEGION?
Over the years we've asked members and parents this question, so we could articulate it in our marketing material and to others who have potential interest to play for us. While everyone's responses had some degrees of difference, there were other items that resonated  in each answer.

The link below:

http://eteamz.active.com/thelegion/news/index.cfm?id=3048580&cat=0

will bring up a new page with an article that condenses all the commonly-themed responses into a very readable format. Additionally, this next link:

http://eteamz.active.com/thelegion/news/index.cfm?cat=252979

is a collection of testimonial statements from former players and parents, people from other clubs, coaches, etc. To get it straight from these people means a great deal.


WHICH AGE DO I TRY OUT FOR?
For the 2009 Season, eligible BOYS age is determined by the player's chronological age on September 1, 2009. For the 2009 GIRLS Season, January 1st of 2009 is the determining date. This the official rule from the AAU Basketball National HQ’s.

To confirm and verify this information FOR YOURSELF -- the following links are provided. The AAU Boys Basketball Age Division Calculator:

http://www.aauboysbasketball.org/blue/cal/maleagedefinition.asp

And the AAU Girls Basketball Age Division Calculator:

http://aaugirlsbasketball.org/pages/agedefinition_new.asp 

Care should be taken in regards to trying out to "play up" as all Legion teams are oriented to be competitive, to play vs. high-level opponents at their actual age. Your coach may elect to play against older-age competition in tournaments; so, players feeling they have to "play up" to get the desired level of competition may not need to.

Lastly, we do not make "ammended" decisions for our teams at tryouts. What this means is that, if a player tries out for one team age–said player is not going to be considered for another Legion team age. So, Julie (age 15) tries out to "play up" for our 16u team. She is not selected for the 16u team; regardless of how she performed, it does not mean she "automatically makes" the 15u team. To be selected for that team, she would then need to be at the tryout for the 15u team. This is consistent with tryout policies of fairness. If you determine you’d like to be considered for both teams, you need to try out for both. If you pass up an offer to play for one (15u, for example, a team you were chosen for), hoping to make a spot on the other (16u, which would be preferred by the player)–we will not “hold the spot” of the one you turned down.


HOW MANY PLAYERS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
People asking this must come from experiences asking other clubs the same question, and getting a limited (and usually small) numerical answer. Most clubs, either by advertising it this way, or by their comments, make it very clear that they are "only looking for" a certain number of kids. There are teams that reserve or hold spots for their players who are expected to return. That can be as many as 9, 10, or 11 players. Thus, they are  ONLY LOOKING FOR a much smaller number of athletes; determined by the total number of kids said team plans to roster. If that number is 12, for example, they are only looking for 3, 2, or 1 people.

Another situation that prevails is the so-called “superstar” team with a nucleus of players that have been together awhile, that has won a lot of games over the years. Everyone knows who they are so naturally, a large number of kids out there would like to play for them. Unfortunately, that’s simply not a reality. Tryouts for these teams will fit one of two scenarios:  a) there will be a limited number of people there because the coaches of said team have already recruited the ones they are interested in adding this year -- anyone who comes in "off the street" basically has no chance to make that team; or  b) the tryout will be jam-packed with lots of kids trying to make it. Well, if this team is so great and all, why would ANY of their returning players NOT return; and how many spots then, are likely to be available? One or two maybe? A number of darn-good players settle for spots on sub-level teams with that club because they came there expecting fairness and opportunity; but what they got was something else. So what happens now? Well, some just take the “B-team” spot (thinking they can make that “A-group” next year.) Many turn it down, scrambling around to other teams’ tryouts, who were their second choice or backup plan...

EVERY SEASON The Legion gets phone calls from players and parents who “made a mistake” and "...wonder if you are having any additional tryouts?" No. They wonder "...if there are any spots open?" No. They wonder if "...can you guys just take a look at my son (or daughter) and see if he/she might be able to help our team?" We can not. Our advice in advance: Know the landscape of the tryout scenario you (the player) and you (the parent) are setting yourself up for. Last year, our officers received 23 phone calls or e-mails of this sort in the four days after tryouts began statewide. In the 2-3 weeks that followed, an additional 16 calls/e-mails were received. Over 40 athletes could have come to Legion Tryouts with a genuine opportunity to be selected.

So, for Legion; the answer to the “How many players are you looking for?” question, IS the roster total. If Coach Smith intends to keep 12 players on the roster, then we are looking for 12 players. All spots on our rosters are open at the beginning of each year. That's what "Open Tryouts" means (at least that's what it's SUPPOSED to mean!) We don't operate the way of the Superstar Team spoken of above. We're looking to field teams each year. Of course, we have kids who come back from year-to-year; and they have to try out too.


HOW MANY PLAYERS ON EACH TEAM?
That is up to each team's individual coaching staff. For most of our teams, the coaches have indicated a desire to cap the roster at 11, with 12 being nominal.

If enough athletes are at tryouts to form another team, (when no second team was offered in our season’s promotion) we may create that team and seek volunteer coaching for it, maybe a dad or mom to “get the ball rolling” in the interim. We will only do this if said team (by nature of the players who may form the roster) will be competitive. Legion does not field "developmental" teams; but we are committed to provide as many young people as we can an opportunity to play basketball.


DOES YOUR CLUB HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH COLLEGE RECRUITING?

Over 70% of our graduates have, or are currently playing college basketball at the Div-I, Div-II, Div-III, NAIA, NCCAA, or NJCAA level. And last year, 100% of our 18u_S.E.L.E.C.T. girls graduates were offered opportunities to continue their athletic careers in college.

College ball is not the goal for everyone who joins Legion Basketball Group but for many players (as evidenced by the high percentage) it's one they accomplished with us. Part of our mission with older teams is to aid in this area. The higher you move up in age, so also does the competition. The higher the comp, the greater the sacrifice; but also, the greater the prize. Is an opportunity to play college basketball a prize? No, its an accomplishment, a tool. It’s a tool by which young people can obtain a college education. The members in this 70-percentile got from their high school years, and from AAU one of their dreams realized. The Legion is not taking any “credit” for any of our players moving on to play collegiately (how can ANYONE who is not the player herself do this? How self-centered and ego-driven is that?) We only mention the statistic, note the accomplishment, and move on.

Legion players got continued exposure, representation, promotion by our club and an enhanced level of contact with college coaches and recruiters. All of which they might have gotten anywhere they played. So then, why play Legion instead of somewhere else? Because there is "history" of our players who generated attention, and our commitment to promoting them and continued interraction with the college coaches, we are experienced in these things. Not exclusive, better or worse than anyone else. And we doubt anyone could honestly claim these things over us or other AAU groups. Teams out there have had a lot of top-notch talent like we have had, some even more so. Does that really mean it is because of those clubs coaches or teams that all their former players have gotten scholarships? Absolutely not.

That is what is being expressed here. All teams may essentially offer the same things in regards to these areas. The differences are: what overall caliber of coaching, teammate and/or the group itself will you have with the team you choose to play with? Where do you feel you will get challenged and get kicked out of your comfort zone? Is this a group you can still grow and play well with? These and similar questions are the ones we want to help you discover about The Legion. If it is to be that you’ll move on collegiately–so be it. YOU did that, not us. All the extra hours in the gym; the games, camps, clinics, workouts; the contacts and surveys and questionnaires. That was all you. The Legion provides you a team to continue to play at the highest level, improve your “next-level” game understanding, teammates who are like-minded and share the same goals, and a staff and coach who will do everything they can to make this the best basketball experience possible.




Please feel free to contact Legion Staff with any additional questions about these items.