NJB FAQs

For players in Middle Division (BOYS 3rd, 4th, GIRLS 4th ­ 5th):
€ Ten (10) indoor games played on Sundays 12/6, 12/13, 1/3, 1/10, 1/17,
1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21
€ Popular, college-style uniform (shorts and jersey)
€ Picture Package
€ Player Participation Trophy

For players in Upper Division (BOYS 5th, 6th, 7th-8th, GIRLS 6th-8th):
€ Ten (10) indoor games played on Sundays 12/6, 12/13, 1/3, 1/10, 1/17,
1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21
€ Popular, college-style uniform (shorts and jersey)
€ Picture Package

For players in High School Division (BOYS and GIRLS 9th-10th, 11th-12th):
€ Ten (10) indoor games played on Sundays 12/6, 12/13, 1/3, 1/10, 1/17,
1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21
€ Popular, college-style uniform (shorts and jersey)
€ Picture Package

2. When and where are the games?
For players in Rookie Division (BOYS K-1, 2nd, GIRLS K-1, 2nd-3rd):
GAMES ARE AT REDWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL on Sundays 12/6, 12/13, 1/3, 1/10, 1/17,
1/24, 1/31, 2/7

For players in all other divisions, GAMES ARE AT WESTLAKE HIGH SCHOOL on
Sundays 12/6, 12/13, 1/3, 1/10, 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21.

Playoffs are on Sunday 2/28 and Championships are on Sunday 3/7.

3. When and where is picture day?
Picture day for all divisions is on Sunday, December 6th (opening day). All
divisions will take pictures at Westlake High School.

4. What is the Rookie Clinic?
The Rookie Clinic is for players in the Rookie Division (BOYS K-1, 2nd,
GIRLS K-1, 2nd-3rd). Teams will have just been formed/drafted, and this is
the first opportunity for the teams to get together. Players will receive
their NJB basketballs and learn some basic skills from our guest trainer.
Coaches should use this time to complete necessary paperwork with parents
plus they can learn a few team drills. The Rookie Clinic is tentatively
scheduled for Sunday, November 8th at Redwood Middle School. Time TBA, but
most likely in the afternoon.

5. What are the differences between the divisions i.e. Rookies, Middle,
Upper and High School?
Since we are a recreational league, our focus is on fun and learning the
game. In order for players to learn a basketball progression, we implement
restrictions on the rules at the various age levels to help the kids learn
the game at a proper pace. By the time the players are in middle school,
they are playing CIF rules, and the only league-specific rule is our player
participation rule which states a minimum amount of playing time per player.

6. Can I read the rules for each division?
Yes, the rules are posted online under the Coach¹s Corner on our website.

7. How will the teams be formed?
For the BOYS and GIRLS 4th ­ 5th grade: after registration closes on
November 1st, players are ranked within their division. Coaches are sent
these rankings, and a draft is held. Coaches receive contact information
when they leave the draft, so they can notify parents/players as soon as
they are ready.

For the GIRLS K-1, 2nd-3rd, 6th-8th and HIGH SCHOOL: players can form their
own teams. These divisions are still new for Westlake NJB, and we feel that
allowing friends to play together will help us grow the divisions. Once a
division is established, we move it to a draft. Players who don¹t have a
complete team will be placed with other players. Everyone is welcome to
play!

8. Can my child be on the same team as a friend?
During registration, you can put a friend request under the Comments
section, but there are no guarantees. We try very hard to honor the friend
requests, especially at the younger divisions, but do not plan for friends
to be together until you are contacted by your coach after the draft.

9. When will I know what team we're on?
The coaches leave the draft with contact information for all the players.
They notify families as soon as their schedules permit.

10. My family has set commitments on certain days throughout the week. How
do I let a potential coach know we aren¹t available for practice on those
days?
During registration, we encourage you to note weekly conflicts. This allows
a potential coach to know if your player is available for his team. Coaches
set their own practice schedules so if they know a player isn¹t available on
the days he/she wants to practice, then he won¹t draft that player. The
comments section is the place for weekly music lessons, club teams,
religious school or any other activity that is ongoing. You do not need to
note if you are finishing up soccer, football or any other fall sport. There
is always a little bit of overlap between sports, and we all understand how
that goes.

11. Can my son/daughter play in an older division?
We do allow players to play up a division, but you can not make this
decision on your own. Players must first play in both their division and the
older division for one season i.e. they will play on two teams for one
season. This allows the coaches to determine where the best fit is for the
player. Our policy is that the player must be so exceptional that they are
not only top-ranked in their own division, but when they move into the older
division, they are still among the top players. If this isn¹t the case, then
the player needs to stay in their own-age division. You can always contact
me or the division director for more information.

12. My daughter only wants to play with boys? Can she register for a boys
team?
We recently started our girls¹ divisions, so we don¹t want to encourage
girls playing with the boys as we need the numbers on the girls side. Also,
we find there can be issues at certain ages with the boys including the
girls. Therefore, we strongly encourage girls to play on the girls teams;
however, if a girl really wants to play with the boys too, then we would
require her to play one season on a girls team AND a boys team to determine
where the best fit truly is. Yes, that means one season playing on two
teams. Contact me if you want more information on this.

13. Do you have travel teams?
We have an incredible travel program for boys in grades 4th, 5th, 6th and
7th. Tryouts are held periodically throughout the year. Email blasts will be
sent out with more information for the next tryout.

14. Do you have All Stars?
Yes, we have an All Stars program. All Star Day is set for March 14th. More
information will come throughout the season.

15. When are the evaluation days?
Evaluation days are set for Sundays 10/11, 10/18 and 11/1. All evaluations
will take place at Bennett Park in First Neighborhood from 9:30 ­ 12:30.
Evaluations are required for all NEW players and any player who hasn¹t
played with Westlake NJB for more than one year. Evaluations take between 30
-40 minutes depending on the crowds, and we try to keep it light and fun. It
is not a tryout, but simply our opportunity to figure out where to place
your player in the draft.

Girls in grades K-1, 2nd-3rd and 6th -8th are not required to attend the
evaluations as they can form their own teams and do not participate in a
draft.

You can either register online before attending the evaluation or register
at the evaluation day.

16. When and where are practices?
Each coach sets his own practice schedule and location. During registration,
you have an opportunity to note if your player isn¹t available on certain
days for practices.