Southwest Slam Tryouts for 2019 will be in late-March!
2018 program and team info listed below...will have a similar schedule in 2019
(join email list below for updates or check back here in January for more details)
2018 program and team info listed below...will have a similar schedule in 2019
(join email list below for updates or check back here in January for more details)
Program Details
* There is the possibility of more than one team at each grade level (or no team if there aren't enough players at tryouts). Teams will have 9 or 10 players on roster. So please help spread the word about tryouts!
* Teams will play in 5 Spring/Early Summer Tournaments. The following is the TENTATIVE weekend tournament schedule for each team:
* Teams will play in 5 Spring/Early Summer Tournaments. The following is the TENTATIVE weekend tournament schedule for each team:
boysApril 21-22: Spring Freeze (St. Paul)
April 28th: One Day/3 Game (Twin Cities Metro) May 5-6: MN Heat Tournament (Twin Cities Metro) May 20-21: MN Fury Shootout (Eagan) June 2-3: SD Heat Tournament (Sioux Falls) |
girlsApril 21-22: Spring Showdown (Twin Cities Metro)
April 28th or 29th: One Day/3 Game (Twin Cities Metro) May 12-13: Box Out Breast Cancer (Twin Cities Metro) May 20-21: Hardwood Shootout (Twin Cities Metro) June 2-3: SD Heat Tournament (Sioux Falls) |
- Schedule is tentative at this time and may be changed right after tryouts if there is a need to do so due to coach availability or a potential lack of available players based on information collected on the online sign-up form. Also, may enter different tournaments due to ability of team or locations (potentially Sioux Falls).
- Most tournaments will be 2-day (both Sat and Sun) events with 3 or 4 games.
- There is also the potential to play more than 5 Tournaments at an additional cost per player to cover entry if the team wants to continue playing into the summer.
* 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 2017 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. Cost for returning players using last season's uniform will be $475. New warm-up shirts will be provided.
* 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 2018 Spring Season is Slam Director Andrew Dahl's 12th 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 2018-19 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 2018. 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 2018-19 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 2018. 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.
