Laura i would like to ask you a question
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Laura i would like to ask you a question
| Fri, 09-15-2006 - 6:06pm |
Hi Laura,
I know Emily plays basketball. This is something i am considering getting Kelsey into as well. Kelsey is 10 and she has only ever played in gym class. At what age do girls normally start playing? In your experience do all of the girls play regardless of ability?
Any other information you can provide would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Kelly
I know Emily plays basketball. This is something i am considering getting Kelsey into as well. Kelsey is 10 and she has only ever played in gym class. At what age do girls normally start playing? In your experience do all of the girls play regardless of ability?
Any other information you can provide would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Kelly

Hi Kelly,
I know you asked Laura this question, but I can tell you my experience.
My daughter started basketball in 5th grade. She played a little bit before that when she was younger. At our school (K-8), there are no tryouts, everyone makes the team and up to 6th (?) grade everyone is supposed to get equal playing time. She had an excellent coach in 5th and 6th grade and he brought even the not so talented girls up to a level where the entire team was pretty competitive.
I think in 5th grade most girls hadn't really played much b-ball. Of course you will get the ones that played in the driveway with their brothers who are pretty good. I would consider Hannah to be in the middle as far as talent on her team. Last year (6th) there were 16 girls on the team. The coach did a good job of making sure everyone played a reasonable amount of time. The only time he played the better girls more was in our final season tournament. (he wanted to win that!, which they did!)
I guess a lot depends on the team, coach, and maybe even any rules that the school or whatever organization is running the basketball league as far as playing time or tryouts.
Hannah loves playing. I'm glad she's at a school that gives everyone a chance to play. Especially because out of the girls on her team, I can only see 2 or 3 continuing on in High School. I love watching her play too. Basketball is such a team sport and when I saw how much they improved throughout the season it made me really proud.
I say if she is interested--go for it.
Karin
Not Laura either, but this is how it works in our town for both boys and girls. The true teams don't start until 5th grade. There are two different ones-a try-out travel team and a rec. league team. The travel teams take 15 players and playing time depends on the coach. They hae a lot a lot more practices/games (both home and away) plus they are also required to play on a recreation team. The rec teams are a sign-up situation without tryouts. They are to have equal playing time for everyone and usually only have 1 practice a week and one game on Saturday morning. Starting in 7th grade, they are no longer required to play rec if they make the travel teams, but the travel teams are cut down to 12 players instead of 15.
There are some opportunities to learn about b-ball starting in 1st grade. In the Fall there are a few days after school of a clinic and they haold a scrimmage. I believe this is for grades 1-4, but they divide the boys and girls and grades 1-2, 3-4 on different dates/time slots. The varsity coaches also hold a basketball clinic in the summer for a few hours per day for one week which I believe is open from 3rd-12th grade, but again boys and girls, and grade levels are split up.
My son loves basketball. He has played travel team and rec team both 5th and 6th grade, and is anxiously awaiting try-outs this year too. I don't think we will do rec. with him this year, if he makes travel, as it is no longer a requirement. He does all the clinics offered here, plus went to his first away-week long camp this summer, which was a b-ball camp.
My youngest (4th grade) is doing the Fall clinic this year and has done the summer varsity clinics too. He is too young for the organized teams right now.
Good Luck to your DD!
Hey Kelly!
Emily didn't play "competitively" till 5th grade.
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