2019 Southwest Slam
Contact AndrewDahl@HoopsTraining.com if you didn't attend tryouts and want to play. Have open spots at some grade levels.
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.
* 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.
* 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 2018 team rosters/schedules linked below 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 new uniform style in 2019, but maybe hold on to last year's just in case. Would do discount if using same from 2018.
* 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 2019 Spring Season is Slam Director Andrew Dahl's 13th 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 2019-20 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.
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 2019. 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 2019-20 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.
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 2019. 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: Coach Ryan Schultz @SouthwestSlam
SW Slam Instagram: Coach Lucas Christoffer @SouthwestSlam
SW Slam Assistant Director: Kevin Hansen at 507-828-1107
SW Slam Twitter: Coach Ryan Schultz @SouthwestSlam
SW Slam Instagram: Coach Lucas Christoffer @SouthwestSlam
