CYO Basketball
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a clinic in the St. Francis CYO program?
The program intends to have a clinic every year for boys and girls in the 2nd and 3rd grades. Third grade boys and girls have the option of playing on a non-competitive third grade team instead of the clinic if we have enough players and gym time to make these teams available (see below). However, the clinics in general depend on having enough gym time available to support the competitive teams. There are many competing interests for the use of the Clarkstown School District gyms. If we do not get enough gym permits, the competitive teams get preference for our gym slots and we have to cancel the clinic program and/or the third grade teams for a season. Hopefully, this does not become the case.
Please explain the 3rd grade teams.
At the 3rd grade level, we generally have non-competitive teams - IF THERE IS ADEQUATE GYM TIME. At this level play is non-competitive throughout the league. The team generally plays from 8 to 12 games in the season. There are no playoffs, championships, etc. at this level. The team may enter tournaments, but the primary intent of these tournaments is simply to get more games easily. The league at this level is instructional and in tended to be transitional from the clinic to the competitive 4th grade level. The 3rd grade teams receive numbered t-shirts as uniform shirts, which they keep at the end of the season. The players provide their own shorts (preferably royal blue).
When and where are the practices?
Again, we only have certain times and locations available to our program. All of our practices are at gyms within the Clarkstown Schools. We generally have practices at 6:30pm and 8:00pm. We generally try to give the 6:30 slots to the younger grades and the clinic, but there are a limited number of 6:30 slots available. Generally, we try to have gyms available for 2 practices per week for all competitive levels.
Why are there tryouts for such young children?
Without a gym, we do not have the option of an unlimited number of teams and there is a limit to the number of players that can be on one team. While we do receive excellent support from the Clarkstown Central School District with the use of their gyms, the gyms are often not available until 8 or 8:30 on school nights. These late times are not appropriate for our younger levels, which are also the same levels that have the most players. Even if we could fit in appropriate practice times, there is a definite shortage of gyms that are suitable for playing games. We can not field teams if we can not provide gyms for half the number of games that would be scheduled. Playing all or most games as away games is not an option, since that puts an unfair burden on other programs, which they can not accept. As coaches, we would love to have everyone that wants to play put on a team, but unfortunately, there are practical limits that we must deal with.
When and where are the games?
At the lower levels, our home games are at one of the team's practice gyms on the same night as a practice would normally be. Some home games may be on Saturdays. Away games can be either weeknight or weekend (Saturday or Sunday) any time from 8 or 9am to 7 or 8pm. Away games are either at the school gym associated with the opponent or at one of their practice gyms. At the upper levels, we also usually play some of our home games at Albertus Magnus.
How many games do the teams play?
Generally, the league schedules about 10-12 games for teams in grades 4-8. The number of games for the 3rd grade team is usually less, since there are usually less teams at this level. However, subject to a number of factors (availability of tournaments, willingness/interest of players/parents/coaches to travel, etc.) additional games are often scheduled.
Who are the coaches in the program?
The coaches and assistants are all volunteers and generally have children in the program. Generally, the coach(es) move up each year with the same team. The St. Francis program is run entirely by volunteers. If you would like to volunteer your services in any capacity, speak to your child's coach or email/call the St. Francis CYO coordinator.
Are there requirements for playing time?
The CYO prgram is a competitive league (except at the 3rd grade level). There are no league requirements governing playing time. Playing time is determined by the individual coaches. The games consist of four 6 minute quarters, with five players on the court at a time. If there are 12-15 players on a team, there is simply not alot of playing time available. Players are expected to attend practices regularly and to fully cooperate with the coaches and other players at the practices - these are team rules. As long as a player abides by team rules, St. Francis coaches are expected to make every effort to get every player into every game. This goal may be difficult during playoff games, tournament championship games or games that are critical towards reaching the playoffs, but these situations are expected to be the exception and not the rule. Skill level is a factor in determining playing time, but this is less of a factor at the lower levels and more of a factor with the upper levels.
How is a non-parishoner defined?
First of all, the parishoner/non-parishoner is the PLAYER, not the parent. A parishoner is a player who is actively attending the St. Francis of Assisi Parish Religious Education Program (CCD). The player's family (and hence the player) must also be registered as members of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish.
Does the program accept players that are not registered parishoners ("non-parishoners") of St. Francis of Assisi?
Yes, the St. Francis CYO program has in the past and will continue to accept players that meet the CYO eligibility criteria (there are geographic and age criteria) regardless of religion, national origin, sex, etc. However, CYO league rules limit the number of players that are allowed on any team. In addition, due to the limited amount of playing time available (4 six minute quarters) St. Francis limits the number of players on a team to 12, unless they are all parishoners. If all players are parishoners, the team can have up to 15 players (though this can severely limit playing time). If less than 12 parishoners sign up for a team, non-parishoners are accepted on a conditional basis. If additional parishoners sign up for a team before the finalization of rosters, bringing the total number of parishoners to 12 or more, all or some conditional non-parishoners will be removed from the team. Fees will be refunded for conditional players that do not become part of the final roster once any team uniforms or equipment has been returned. Participation in the program as a non-parishoner in a prior year has no bearing on decisions regarding participation in future years.
Other CYO programs run tournaments. How come St. Francis doesn't run tournaments?
The programs that run tournaments have their own gyms. Those programs can charge admission at the door and run a concession, both of which raise substantial funds. We do not have a gym. The permits that we receive for the Clarkstown gyms do not require us to pay for the use of the facility since our participants are almost exclusively residents of the Clarkstown Central School District. If we charge admission for events, we then need to pay for the use of the gym. With that additional cost, the tournaments would be run at a substantial loss (which can only be recovered by increasing our fees!).
I disagree with how my child's coach is running the team. What should I do?
If you feel your child is being treated unfairly, you should discuss the issue with the coach first. Identify specific issues, not generalities. It may be helpful to write down your specific issues in advance. DO NOT HAVE THE DISCUSSION WITH THE COACH IMMEDIATELY BEFORE OR AFTER A GAME. This might be a convenient time for you, but it is not convenient for the coach. Coaches are not focused on administrative matters at those times. Take the time to speak to the coach before or after practice or call the coach at a reasonable hour. Maintain an open mind in your discussions with the coach. If you are unable to resolve the issue after having spoken to the coach, contact the St. Francis CYO Coordinator.
If your issues involve coaching strategy decisions, before even discussing the issue with the coach, remember that the coaches are volunteers and that they spend a considerable amount of time trying to help your child learn basketball. They are not professional basketball coaches, they are parents just like you. If you feel the need to have this type of discussion with the coach, again, do so at reasonable times and respect the fact that the coach may have a different opinion from you on coaching decisions.
If you have additional questions, please E-mail Bob Larson (include "CYO Basketball" in the subject line):
LBOBBYL@optonline.net
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