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1st/2nd Grade
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This is an introductory program. Players are put on teams based on request, their school or proximity to other players. At this level coaches simply work with the players on fundamental skills and to a lesser extent game play. Players will compete each Saturday morning in a skills competition followed by a non-scored regular game. Play is at 8 foot baskets.
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2nd/3rd Grade
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This is a transition year where coaches begin teaching the players the rules of the games. At this level coaches not only continue to help develop skills, but game play training is involved as well. Players will compete each Saturday morning in a skills competition followed by a scored regular game. Games are structured to allow equal playing time and provide structured breaks for coaches to move players in and out of the game.
This level is primarily intended for our 3rd grade players. However, occasionally we will find second graders with the skills and abilities to move into this more competitive program. This level provides an opportunity for the more advanced second graders to be evaluated on their skills and allowed to play if skills deemed adequate for this higher level of play. Click here for 2nd grade qualifications
Play is at 9 foot baskets.
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4th/5th Grade
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With the transition year completed, this next level becomes less on teaching of the rules and more on further development of fundamental skills.
Players will compete each Saturday morning in a skills competition followed by a scored regular game. Games are structured to allow equal playing time and provide structured breaks for coaches to move players in and out of the game.
Play is at 10 foot baskets.
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6th/7th, 8th/9th and 10th/11th/12th Grades
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At this point, participation is for recreational purposes and skills are reinforced and maintained with less effort on developing new skills.
Players will compete each Saturday morning in a competitive game that closely follows standard basketball rules.
Play is at 10 foot baskets
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What are the fees?
Costs differ depending on the games being played and the gym usage. Costs can be found on the registration forms.
What if I miss the Registration Deadline?
We'll attempt to find an opening spot on a team for your child. There are no guarantees after the deadline has passed. However, in anticipating that late registrations may come in, all teams are formed with at least one opening on the roster.
What is the "Player Evaluation"?
Teams are formed by drafting players at the 3rd through 9th grade levels. In order to have a fair draft for all teams/coaches, all players need to be evaluated on basic skills. The Player Evaluation is a short (about 2 hours) session with players at similar grade levels where the team coaches can watch everyone go through the same drills. Players need not prepare for these drills; they are intended to provide an entry level evaluation only.
Once evaluations are completed the coaches will gather and draft their teams based on the evaluations.
Click here for the evaluation schedule.
What is the 2nd grade skills assessment?
This year we are restructuring our programs to provide a more enjoyable experience for the players while better matching skills and abilities to the levels of participation.
This year we are offering a 2nd/3rd grade program that will help transition our boys from a purely participatory program (1st/2nd grade) into a more structured game play program. This new program will focus on teaching the players the rules of the game, allow them to learn against players that match their own age and abilities, and better prepares them for the next level of basketball through increased emphasis on fundamental skill development.
This new program will be open to any 2nd graders that meet specific requirements that validate their skills and abilities warrant involvement in the more competitive program. These requirements will be posted on the Boys In House webpage for review. Parents who feel their son's can meet these requirements will bring the players to a short evaluation for review. If confirmed, they will return on Saturday to be evaluated with the 3rd graders for drafting and team placement in the 2nd/3rd grade program. If not, they will remain in the 1st/2nd grade program for this season.
Should my 2nd grader consider playing in the 2nd/3rd Grade program? Click here for qualifications.
Is attendance at the Player Evaluation mandatory?
Although not mandatory, attendance by all players in grades 3rd thru 9th is highly recommended if you wish to see your child's participation in the In House program to be enjoyable and rewarding. Missing the evaluations can prevent coaches from making proper skill assessments of players and that can affect the draft and the quality of our teams.
If you cannot attend the Player Evaluation we do REQUIRE advance notice as our sessions are planned based on all pre-registered players attending.
Can you tell me when the team will have practice?
Unfortunately, practice schedules are not locked down until coaches are selected for each program. Community Education facilitates our gym schedules and will present RAYBA with available times just prior to the start of the season. Once coaches are selected they will attend an orientation where they receive details about the upcoming season, receive the equipment they will need and at then choose a practice time based on available times.
All teams will practice one night per week throughout the season and scheduled Monday through Friday. Coaches will select an available day and time that works best for their schedule.
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1st/2nd grade
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1 hour per week |
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3rd grade
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1 hour per week |
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4th/5th grade |
1 hour per week |
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6th/7th grade |
1.5 hours per week |
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8th/9th grade |
1.5 hours per week |
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10th/11th/12th grade |
1.5 hours per week |
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When will I know what night my child practices?
On November 29th the boys 1st/2nd grade coaches will get their rosters for the first time. After that night they will call all of their players with information on the practice time they chose and introduce themselves as the coach.
On December 2nd the 3rd through 12th grade coaches will draft their teams and will also contact their participants over the weekend with practice and team information.
The coach will select their practice from available times M-F, 5 pm to 9 pm. Every attempt will be to use earlier times for the younger teams and later times for older teams.
What if there is a conflict between practice and another event on my child's calendar?
It is very difficult to try to schedule around the other various activities on everyone's calendar. Our space is limited; which limits the available practice times which coaches can choose. However if the conflict revolves around religion classes, please notify us ASAP and we'll try to find another team which your child can be placed. If another team can not be found, you will be refunded your fees based on RAYBA's Refund Policy.
Can my son be placed on a team with a neighbor or friend?
Please note on your registration form your request to be put on the same team as another player. At the 1st/2nd grade we make every effort to meet these requests as this is a non-competitive program. However at the older levels teams are formed by a player draft. Coaches will see your notes and it will be their decision whether to draft a player based on a request. At the upper levels there is no guarantee that requests will be honored.
When are the games played?
Games are all played Saturday. Games will be played at Rogers Elementary, Rogers Middle School, Otsego or Hassan Elementary.
The first games are scheduled at 8:30 and continue through the morning and possibly early afternoon.
However, due to the school district's limited gym facilities, teams may have their games shifted to the afternoon. RAYBA makes every attempt to hold our games in the mornings.
What kind of games are played?
1st & 2nd grade games are not scored and only played for development of fundamentals, experience and fun. This level will play on 8 foot baskets.
2nd & 3rd Grade is a transition program where players will be exposed to games rules along with others at their same grade level. This level will play on 9 foot baskets.
4th & 5th grade games are broken into two separate games. Each team will compete in a skills competition where points are awarded based on successful completion of several fundamental skills. At the end of the year the team with the most skill points will be awarded trophies to each member of the team. The skills competition is followed by a regular basketball game. Results are tracked and used only for positioning of the team in the End of Year Tournament. This level plays at 10 foot baskets.
6th & 7th, 8th & 9th and 10th, 11th & 12th will play a regular basketball game only. There will be no skills at this level and they will play at 10 foot baskets.
Are there any end of year activities?
The 1st &2nd grade level ends with the last games of the season.
The 3rd thru 9th grade teams will wrap up with an end of year tournament scheduled the weekend following the last regular season games. The top finishers in the tournament will be awarded individual trophies to all team members. Depending on number of teams, trophies may be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers.
How are teams chosen?
At the 1st &2nd grade level, the players are randomly put on teams.
The 3rd thru 9th graders are asked to attend a short player evaluation session where the coaches have a chance to evaluate the players' skills. This ensures that coaches can properly draft a team for the season. Attendance at this evaluation is highly encouraged but not mandatory. If your child can not attend the evaluation you must send us a note describing his/her basketball experience and years of playing basketball. This information will help rank the players not in attendance.
This year we'll be holding the player evaluations for boys in grades 3rd - 12th grade on December 1rd.
Are the 6th - 12th grade teams formed by grade? No. However, this year we will be working to ensure players are competing against players within a year of their own age by restructuring our grade levels as follows:
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3rd Grade will play with advanced 2nd graders and all 3rd graders.
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4th and 5th graders will play together.
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6th and 7th graders will play together.
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8th and 9th graders will play together.
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10th, 11th and 12th graders will play together.
Qualifications for Second Graders to play in the 3rd grade League
o Must have legal guardian consent
o Must be present at 3rd grade evaluations
o Must have played 1st grade basketball with RAYBA or at least one season with another organized league
o Must be able to dribble up and down the court switching hands (right to left; left to right, etc.)
o Must be able to shoot hot shots with proper form (bank shot with accuracy)
o Must be able to perform lay-up with proper form of dominant hand (dribble, step, shoot off backboard)
The 2nd grader's interested in participating at the 2nd / 3rd grade level will attend a short skills assessment evaluation on Monday, November 27th at RMS. You will be required to submit a check for $10 (cost difference to play at the level verses 1st/2nd grade) with checks returned if player does not qualify. If qualified, the 2nd grader will attend the 2nd/3rd grade player evaluation and draft assessment on Saturday. See the Boys In House page for schedules.
The evaluating coaches will make the final decision on whether the 2nd grader has met the requirements. The parent(s) have to accept this decision and not consider it as a “negative”, if they don’t make it.
RAYBA would have the discretion to move a 2nd grader back down to the 2nd grade level prior to December 31st of the season or anytime prior to the end of the season at the request of the legal guardian (s).
Pro’s and Cons of moving up to the 3rd Grade League.
Pro’s
o Qualified 2nd graders will be more challenged and learn the structure of an officiated game more quickly, which will help improve the overall quality of play throughout RAYBA.
o 2nd graders will develop more rapidly playing against a stronger skill level then they would play against lesser skill levels. When a 2nd grader dominates a game, they are more likely to pick up bad habits. Playing against kids of their own skill set will help eliminate bad habits and also increase the concept of playing as a “Team”.
o By moving up the more talented 2nd graders, the teams in both leagues should be more equal in talent and skill sets. This will lead to overall better competition and participation.
o The addition of 2nd grade boys to the 3rd grade level will ensure adequate number of boys to sustain a 3rd grade developmental level well into the future.
Con’s
o The 2nd grader must realize they will not be playing with their classmates which might take away some of the fun and cohesiveness they are looking for when playing the game.
o Parents and kids need to realize before trying out, that by not meeting the qualifications that have been established, that it isn’t a negative. They should view this as a positive, and use the evaluation as motivation to keep working hard on their skill set, which will help them in the long run.
o Some kids may become very down on themselves if they aren’t selected to move up. Parents need to discuss this with their kids before hand and make sure they understand that because they didn’t make the 3rd grade league, that is wasn’t because they are bad players. They still have a lot of talent and skill, and can have a very fun year playing in the development league.
o The 3rd grade level will be more physical and competitive and they need to be mentally prepared to deal with the bumps, bruises and nature of the game that may occur. (Example would be when a referee makes an incorrect call; they need to deal with it and not get upset or mad.)