: 2009 Fall Tryouts Info

Sorting through the tryout maze that has occurred every year at the start of a Michigan AAU Girls Basketball season has been a daunting task for most, at one time or another (both players AND parents.) The actual "tryout" itself, the event, is not the issue -- athletes perform well enough to make the team or they don't, right? Or have you the reader been part of a tryout for a team that seemed more of a formality or a facade; than an actual, regimented process to choose a team?

We all know that most teams have a "core group" or nucleus of personnel that return from year-to-year. And for those teams, the coach probably intends to keep the mainstays, and is only looking for 1-2 more kids. Going to a group tryout for that team would be a colossal waste of time. There are other examples, of course -- tryouts where too few kids show up for a team, or those that do, are not talented enough for the aforementioned core group of returners, etc. There's a little bit of everything for just about everyone when it comes to Tryout Day.

Part of the reason is that over 90% of clubs statewide have always marked their calendar for the same day to have tryouts. There are only so many hours in a single day, and the locations of the different team's tryouts range across the area. Inevitably, there will be times that conflict, or locations that you simply cannot reach in the given time -- and the player will have to choose which team (which tryout) they want to go to. If you're lucky, you might make two different ones -- but how good are you capable of performing be attending #2, after going all-out in #1? Add to this, the complication that ensues when team #1 offers you a spot with them on site; and you tell them you're grateful -- but wanted to go to the other tryout before you made a choice. What does team #1 do? If they're smart, they offer that spot to someone else once you leave, because there's no guarantee you will return and play for them. And it's not a matter of trust or faith, just the need to populate a roster and get the season going, not "hold a spot and hope."

Tryouts are a requirement that Michigan AAU makes each club conform to. It is mandatory that all member clubs hold OPEN TRYOUTS (yeah, okay!) Which are supposed to mean that all spots are -- OPEN. When's the last time that you went to a tryout where the returning kids had to try out, too? Where they had to commit on site, too? Where a returning kid actually got cut? If you have ever been to a Legion Tryout, you may have seen these very things -- because we always held tryouts that were truly Open. If you were offered a spot, as noted above, we asked for a commitment (financial and binding) to secure your spot with us, immediately. If you did not, we offered the spot to someone else.

Besides the REAL TRYOUT seems to be the "Open Gym", nowadays (well, at least it's "Open!") We determined after a number of years holding open gyms that players and parents were using them to evaluate the potential of the group, based on their visual impressions of the other attending athletes. They'd come, participate/watch, and make mental notes on the other girls, and whether or not they thought the group was "good enough" for them, or would be "competitive" in the season to come. What they were unable to evaluate, much if at all, was the strength of the organization and our plans, and the expertise of our coaches and staff. And they certainly weren't turning the microscope on themselves, within the context of these two areas.
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It is our contention that the Open Gym model is an outdated way of generating genuine interest in a team for the coming year

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We believed our tryouts were the most straightforward, even, and fair operation of its kind in the state. This is the way Legion had picked teams for the last decade; and we're not doing them that way anymore. 

We're not doing them the other way either. There's no need to follow the "copycat" mentality that is so pervasive in Michigan AAU. Its part of why we believe membership statewide, and the quality of the Michigan product (truly talented players, quality volunteers and successful teams) is lessened, of late. Our organization has been around for 20+ years; and we believe three reasons for our longevity are: a desire to stay current and relevant, we recognize opportunities for improvement and innovative thinking or approaches, and we take bold steps that force competing clubs to action. So, we are not having "tryouts" (in the traditional sense) any more. Basketball players that are looking for memberhsip on a Legion-S.E.L.E.C.T. team will go through an entirely different routine, and it's not for everyone. But the mass group of student-athletes are not who's being spoken to in these lines, anyway.

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We're talking to those select few who have identified an internal desire to improve their craft and seek challenges others would not. Interested athletes will find out how significant the skill and talent gap is between being high-school capable, and college-ready.

Any youngster who believes that what we are offering with Legion-S.E.L.E.C.T. membership, and what has been described in this article and other places on our website, is what they are looking for -- should contact our staff right away:  legionbasketballgroup@yahoo.com  This initial correspondence will open the lines of communication, and let us both ask some general questions of each other -- Legion about the young person, and the prospective player, or parent about us. If interest remains high on both sides, the youngster would then be invited to a small-group workout (we call them Capacity Training Sessions. We are the only organization in the state offering something like this -- a no-pressure, non-committal way to get a genuine, lasting interface (instead of the cursory glance afforded at an open gym) with our coaches and staff. It enables both player and parent to witness us in action, doing what we are experienced in, in the environment we are accustomed to. You'll get a vivid, full-color snapshot of what the days to come would be like, and a real impression of the benefits to you. What it really is: is a way for you to try us out, while getting doses of valuable skills-intensive work. It's our unique way to provide some court time on, and some discussion with, things you've never done before. We have every confidence you will enjoy every minute of it. This initial workout is offered at no charge; but attending any future days would constitute a commitment to membership, and we would need to collect fees and payment for the season, prior to the next scheduled session.
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Better than "Open Gyms", CAPACITY TRAINING SESSIONS will expose athletes to specific regimens and drill work to determine your Capacity: your ability to perform and produce, your power to learn and retain

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Depending on the situation, you can request an individual/personal workout with the coaching staff. In this case, we would need to collect payment for a percentage of the gym rental in advance; we would then put the athlete through an intensive 45-50 minute workout on various "next-level" skill areas. For these sessions, the prospective athlete will be on the court with former Legion members (current, or former college players) aiding in the drill work. This will provide a true perspective on the speed, physicality, and approach for the work load to come. If you are interested in this option, let us know in your email.

The operating tempo and setup for these sessions will be of our own design. We're not trying to imitate the people from Basketball Workshop, Paul Tripp, or the staff of Get Skillz. We're not trying to duplicate the teaching style of Jason Otter, Greg Grant, or the mode of McCracken, Metro-D, or others. Legion-S.E.L.E.C.T. has an appreciation for these people and their efforts in helping youngsters; but we also believe that there is no "cookie-cutter" solution to this type of training. Athletes should come to our gym with an open mind; attentive, excited, and ready to work in ways they have never done before.   

As we are setting the tone for the season to come, part of which is granting as exact a look as we can at the learning environment; we ask that all players be punctual, shoes tied, stretched, loose, and ready to go at the appointed time. Legion-S.E.L.E.C.T. is currently considering a policy of "closed practices" to parents during the season; but for the time being (and especially at these first steps of our relationship) we welcome the parents into the session. What we ask in return is that you permit our coaches to coach your child during these sessions, without input (or interference) from you. Of course, our coach will provide feedback post-session; and questions or dialogue with any staff member after the session concludes is welcome. 

~ NOW POSTED!! FALL 2009 TEAM INFO IS BELOW, CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES ~
~ NOW POSTED!! FALL 2009 TEAM INFO IS BELOW, CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES ~
 

Prior to coming out for a Legion-S.E.L.E.C.T. team, all athletes must be registered members with AAU. Beginning with the 2009/2010 Season, Legion is putting this responsibility in the hands of the player and/or parent (Legion used to include this membership fee along with our tryout fee, but since our tryout procedures have changed, so now this has also.) The link below will take you directly to the National AAU Website for athlete signup-membership. Please note: this DOES NOT make you a member of Legion-S.E.L.E.C.T., but will priovide you an AAU Membership Number and Card that will be good for the entire year. If you are not offered a spot with our organization, this same number/card can be used to join any Michigan AAU Girls Basketball Club in the state. This is a process you need only complete once, for the entire year (no need to complete again, come Springtime.) Contact a Legion Staff Member with any questions

https://secure.aausports.org/aaustore/register/athlete2.asp


2009/10 LEGION-S.E.L.E.C.T. TEAM FORMING INFO
The 2009/2010 Season of Legion Girls Basketball will include NCAA-Exposure and Leagues

>> All teams/players will participate in workout/training sessions, 2-3 times weekly (August-October)

>> Fall League 2009 is held at Rochester H.S., Rochester Hills, MI: Sept. 13th-Oct. 25th (Sunday Games ONLY)

>> NCAA-Certified Exposure Team Event: Oct. 2nd-3rd at University of Toledo in Toledo, OH (4+ Games)

>> NCAA-Certified Individual Player Showcase: Oct. 4th at Morey Courts (CMU) in Mt. Pleasant, MI (3 Games)

>> Team MAY add a friendship tourney, weekend after League playoffs. Will not interfere with HS season.

>> Group selected for Fall Season is expected to carry their commitment over to the Spring AAU Season.

Our newest offering is the Legion_S.E.L.E.C.T. brand of teams, and we are VERY excited to bring this much-needed team option and special union of features to Michigan Girls AAU Basketball. The S.E.L.E.C.T. teams will be formed of young ladies who are truly advanced, who want to be coached and work their craft (their game), place basketball as a high priority, and have college playing aspirations in mind. Please note: the S.E.L.E.C.T. teams are NOT the "A-team" for our organization. They are much much more than that. Legion does not have an "A-team" or "B-team", as each of our teams select athletes to make a competitive group. S.E.L.E.C.T. is above the conventional description of an "A-team" in personnel, operations, commitment, and more. It is not for everyone. For a complete overview of the Legion_S.E.L.E.C.T. brand and everything it is about, go to the S.E.L.E.C.T. Website:  www.SELECT.legionbb.com 

LEGION 2009 SEASON: MARCH 22nd TRYOUTS (age as of January 1, 2009):
   > 3:00pm-5:15pm <  ...    16u, 17u (all Juniors), and 18u/Open: Legion_S.E.L.E.C.T. Teams ... Coach William Jones
   > 4:30pm-6:00pm <  ...    16u, 17u (all Juniors): Legion-Competitive Team ... Coach Laura Guzman
   > 5:30pm-7:30pm <  ...    14u (9th Graders): Legion-Competitive Team ... Coach Tom Schick
   > 5:30pm-7:30pm <  ...    14u, 15u (9th Graders): Legion_S.E.L.E.C.T. Team ... Coaches William Jones & Erik Roscoe
   > 5:30pm-7:30pm <  ...    15u, 16u (10th Graders): Legion-Competitive Team ... Coach Morris Folleney
   > 5:30pm-7:30pm <  ...    15u, 16u (10th Graders): Legion_S.E.L.E.C.T. Team ... Coaches William Jones & Anne Hafeli

   If you can not make these tryout times, contact us ASAP...

~ FALL ...