ABOUT US

This crucial aspect is covered on the team level by meeting with the coaches and team managers. Coaches may also post information on their individual team pages. These pages also have coach, assistant coach, and manager contact information. Head Coach and staff contacts can be located on our Contacts page.

FCBA has established a need basis scholarship program. If your son or daughter makes a team and your family is in need of financial assistance, please inform the coach immediately.

The AAU program is much more competitive than recreational or local select leagues because it involves athletes from different communities playing on the same team, resulting in a better talent pool. Recreational leagues, on the other hand, consist of teams from one town or school, which means a smaller pool and less competition for team selection.

The AAU program is a bigger time commitment than a recreational league, with practices during the week and games and tournaments on the weekends. It is also important to keep in mind that players who are unable to attend practice will also miss out on understanding what was covered in practice (for example, learning a play). Therefore, missed practices may have a significant impact on playing time.

Yes, your child can still play AAU Basketball. FCBA AAU teams have practices during the week.  Games and tournaments are typically on weekends (some tournaments start on Friday evenings)

Going forward, FCBA will typically have 2 teams (National & Regional) per grade that are selected by ability level during the tryouts.

Unlike some programs, AAU DOES NOT GUARANTEE playing time for any player. Coaches must weigh a number of factors to determine which players will start and who will be subbed in at every game. Coaches generally do not keep track of individuals player’s playing time. If at any time you are concerned about your child’s playing time, please discuss this with the coach away from the event, never immediately after the game. Please keep in mind the broader goals of the program before taking issue with any player’s playing time.

We understand that not getting selected to a team is a heartbreaking experience for any child. It is important that you explain to your child that giving his/her best effort is most important. You can share that many good players have not been selected to a team at one time or another. Michael Jordan, for example, didn’t make his high school team once. Players should evaluate the areas in which they need improvement and work to improve skills.

Notification to the team coach or Coach Marvin Somoza needs to be made immediately if a player cannot attend a tryout session and would still like to be considered for a team. Our staff will work with the parent in order to determine if the player should attend another tryout session. Payment is not refunded if a player cannot make a scheduled tryout session.

FCBA Soldiers teams are based on grade level.For information about AAU and to view the complete eligibility rules and age chart, go to AAUGirlsBasketball.org

The FCBA Soldiers’ coaching staff selects players based on a scoring system and observation.

Players are put through basic basketball drills to evaluate his/her work ethic, hustle, attitude, shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding, and defensive skills. Hard work, hustle, and good attitude are contributing factors in team selection. Even if a player has a difficult session and his/her shooting or game is “off” that session, other factors are still considered. All players are put through the same drills to ensure that the tryout process is fair.

The FCBA expects all players are expected to take advantage of ALL OF THE TRYOUTS for his or her grade. It’s impossible to schedule tryouts without scheduling conflicts for travel or school games.

Players can have wide variety of basketball experience. It is important to remember because we are drawing from multiple communities, AAU teams are more competitive than most recreational, middle school, Travel or CYO teams. We recommend your child have at least one year of experience in a competitive league or on a travel team.

Parent confirmation is required within 24 hours of notification of team selection. This occurs by replying affirmatively to the e-mail from the coach. In addition, both players and parents must attend the FCBA Pre-Season Meeting, which explains the overall program objectives and expectations. A partial payment is due at this meeting. Parents are notified of the date and time of the meeting shortly after the teams are finalized.

Each grade level will have 2-3 (2) hour tryout sessions. Players are expected to attend all tryout sessions. See our Tryout page for updated times and dates.