2020 Southwest Slam Tryouts are POSTPONED...with the national AAU temporarily suspending all events for 3 weeks.
Will reassess and hopefully be able to conduct tryouts in early April and play a similar schedule that possibly gets pushed back further into the summer (or participate in fewer tournaments). A lot of unknowns right now with what will happen locally and nationally. Thanks for your support of the Southwest Slam and understanding that the health of players, coaches, and parents come first. And keep washing your hands!
Will send email updates to those registered to try out and feel free to keep checking this page.
Sunday - March 22nd - POSTPONED
Marshall Middle School
6th Grade BOYS & GIRLS -
7th Grade BOYS & GIRLS -
8th Grade BOYS & GIRLS -
9th Grade BOYS & GIRLS -
10th Grade BOYS & GIRLS -
11th Grade BOYS & GIRLS -
Times Posted Are For Current 2019-20 Grade Level!
Boys and Girls will try out on separate courts
Alternate Tryout Option - TBD
PLEASE REGISTER HERE PRIOR TO TRYOUTS
Program Details
* Southwest Slam teams will have 9 or 10 players on roster. There is the possibility of more than one team at each grade level if there are 18 or more players attending tryouts.
* Teams will play in 5 Spring/Early Summer Tournaments in Minnesota or South Dakota. The following is a TENTATIVE weekend tournament schedule for each team. It may be changed after tryouts if there is a need to do so, based on player and coach availability. Also, a team may be entered in a different tournament than the one listed based on finding the proper competition level. Most tournaments will be 2-day events (both Sat and Sun) with 3 or 4 games. There is the potential to play more than 5 tournaments at an additional cost per player.
(Will likely play on 5 of these 6 weekends)
April 18-19
April 25-26
May 2-3
May 16-17
May 30-31
June 6-7
* Teams will play in 5 Spring/Early Summer Tournaments in Minnesota or South Dakota. The following is a TENTATIVE weekend tournament schedule for each team. It may be changed after tryouts if there is a need to do so, based on player and coach availability. Also, a team may be entered in a different tournament than the one listed based on finding the proper competition level. Most tournaments will be 2-day events (both Sat and Sun) with 3 or 4 games. There is the potential to play more than 5 tournaments at an additional cost per player.
(Will likely play on 5 of these 6 weekends)
April 18-19
April 25-26
May 2-3
May 16-17
May 30-31
June 6-7
* Practices will be in Marshall or surrounding area. There will be approximately 10 to 12 practices throughout the season. Typically one practice per week or possibly two early in the spring or if there isn't a tournament the upcoming weekend. We will take input on practice scheduling from players on the team on the registration form or you may bring dates to avoid to tryouts. You may also check out the 2019 team rosters/schedules linked above for an idea of practice and tournament schedules
* Cost is $525.00 per player…includes Jersey, Shorts, and Warm-up Shirt...which are yours to keep. Planning on same uniform style as last year and will have a discount off the player fee of $75 if using 2019's uniform and warmup.
* Although there is no fee to tryout, we will need a commitment by the night of tryouts that you are willing to play on a team if selected. Checks (payable to Hoops Training) or cash preferable. Can also take credit cards through PayPal.com.
Program Philosophy & Goals
The 2020 Spring Season is Slam Director Andrew Dahl's 14th year of forming spring teams out of SW Minnesota.
The goal each year is to give kids in the area a chance to:
- Gain valuable playing experience with up to 20 games
- Be challenged by playing with and against better players and athletes
- Experience a different coaching style and hopefully learn new skills, learn from game situations, and learn to play with more intensity, aggressiveness, and toughness.
- Get out of a comfort zone of current teammates, coaches, role, and playing style.
- Come back an improved player ready to contribute at a higher level in the 2020-21 season!
Practices
All Southwest Slam teams will have intense practices with a focus on skill development and situational work including:
- Finishing strong around the basket
- Creating scoring opportunities with good footwork and fakes
- Handling pressure - both dribbling, passing, and pivoting
- Defensive intensity, communication, and boxing out
Not a lot of time will be spent on learning plays that won't benefit the kids in the future. Each team will have a motion offense and keep good spacing on the floor. Defense will be primarily man-to-man with the option to add a trap or press.
Spring-sport athletes are welcomed and supported by the Slam program. We'll do our best to schedule around practice and tournament conflicts and work with you if need to miss basketball for your spring sport practices/games. Playing multiple sports for as many years as you can is encouraged by Southwest Slam to develop complete athletes!
Playing Time
Coaches will be instructed to play each athlete in both halves of each game and at least 30% of the game's total minutes while still trying to win the game and have the team's top line-up in during crucial times.
Coaches
We have a number of excellent coaches on board for 2020. We have not matched them to teams at this point. There may be a need for a couple more depending on numbers at tryouts. Anyone interested in a paid coaching position should contact Andrew Dahl at 651-592-6099 or AndrewDahl@HoopsTraining.com as soon as possible.
Hotels/Transportation
No hotel rooms or transportation is provided. Players & families will be on their own to decide where to stay.
You may stay with friends/relatives in the tournament area or drive to tournament and back each day. Discounted "team hotel" rates may be available as most past teams have preferred to stay together at the same hotel when possible. Can provide assistance to a "team parent" to help set these up.
The goal each year is to give kids in the area a chance to:
- Gain valuable playing experience with up to 20 games
- Be challenged by playing with and against better players and athletes
- Experience a different coaching style and hopefully learn new skills, learn from game situations, and learn to play with more intensity, aggressiveness, and toughness.
- Get out of a comfort zone of current teammates, coaches, role, and playing style.
- Come back an improved player ready to contribute at a higher level in the 2020-21 season!
Practices
All Southwest Slam teams will have intense practices with a focus on skill development and situational work including:
- Finishing strong around the basket
- Creating scoring opportunities with good footwork and fakes
- Handling pressure - both dribbling, passing, and pivoting
- Defensive intensity, communication, and boxing out
Not a lot of time will be spent on learning plays that won't benefit the kids in the future. Each team will have a motion offense and keep good spacing on the floor. Defense will be primarily man-to-man with the option to add a trap or press.
Spring-sport athletes are welcomed and supported by the Slam program. We'll do our best to schedule around practice and tournament conflicts and work with you if need to miss basketball for your spring sport practices/games. Playing multiple sports for as many years as you can is encouraged by Southwest Slam to develop complete athletes!
Playing Time
Coaches will be instructed to play each athlete in both halves of each game and at least 30% of the game's total minutes while still trying to win the game and have the team's top line-up in during crucial times.
Coaches
We have a number of excellent coaches on board for 2020. We have not matched them to teams at this point. There may be a need for a couple more depending on numbers at tryouts. Anyone interested in a paid coaching position should contact Andrew Dahl at 651-592-6099 or AndrewDahl@HoopsTraining.com as soon as possible.
Hotels/Transportation
No hotel rooms or transportation is provided. Players & families will be on their own to decide where to stay.
You may stay with friends/relatives in the tournament area or drive to tournament and back each day. Discounted "team hotel" rates may be available as most past teams have preferred to stay together at the same hotel when possible. Can provide assistance to a "team parent" to help set these up.
Southwest Slam Staff
SW Slam Director: Andrew Dahl at AndrewDahl@HoopsTraining.com or 651-592-6099
SW Slam Assistant Director: Kevin Hansen at 507-828-1107
SW Slam Twitter: @SouthwestSlam (Ran by Coach Ryan Schultz)
SW Slam Instagram: @ SouthwestSlam (Ran by Coach Lucas Christoffer)
SW Slam Assistant Director: Kevin Hansen at 507-828-1107
SW Slam Twitter: @SouthwestSlam (Ran by Coach Ryan Schultz)
SW Slam Instagram: @ SouthwestSlam (Ran by Coach Lucas Christoffer)
