Even with our state loosening Covid mandates, we still want to keep our staff and players safe and healthy. We will still be implementing gym Covid rules.
PLEASE READ OUR COVID RULES BELOW. ALL RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED. ANYONE WHO DOES NOT FOLLOW THE RULES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE GYM
Players should wait to enter the gym until at least 2-3 minutes before their class starts. And should leave as soon as their class ends. We want to get kids in and out as quickly as we can. We do not want players hanging out in the gym before or after their classes.
No parents/spectators will be allowed in the gym.
Every player who enters the gym must be registered. Any player not registered will not be allowed in the gym.
Players MUST bring their own basketballs. Basketballs should be sanitized before and after each practice/training. Players should not share their basketball with others.
Players must sanitize/wash hands when they enter and leave the facility.
Players should not share water bottles, uniforms, towels, or snacks and should not spit (saliva, sunflower seeds, etc.).
Players are required to stay home if they feel unwell, show any signs of COVID-19, or are a close contact of a confirmed case.
Players should try to stay socially distant when not playing. This includes before and after practice/training, during breaks, during team huddles and meetings, when waiting for the restroom, etc.
Facility and equipment will be cleaned daily.
We look forward to seeing you at the gym. Please let us know if you have any questions.
NWM AAU CLUB CODE W34AT4
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost to play on a team for a season?
Team Fee – The team fees will be sent out once your child has made a team.
Uniform – $295
AAU Membership – $14
Could there be any additional costs?
Yes.
- If your team chooses to participate in out-of-town tournaments, you are responsible for all your child’s travel related costs such as hotel, airfare, rental car and any other expenses associated with out-of-town travel. Your team will also allocate and collect fees for your coach’s expenses and travel related fees. Travel related fees for out-of-town tournaments are separate and not covered by NWM. High School Teams , players have option to travel with magic , those fees are sent after your player has made a team.
- If your team decides to add any additional tournaments that are not scheduled by NWM and budgeted in your team fee, the team will collect for these tournaments separately.
What does the team fee pay for?
The team fee pays for all tournaments and/or leagues that NWM has scheduled, the coach, gym costs and all administrative costs.
Can I make payments on the team fee?
You can pay your team fee upfront in 1 payment or monthly payments.
Does my child need an AAU membership?
Yes. They will not be able to play on our teams or participate in any tournaments or league games without an AAU Membership.
When are team tryouts?
We have team tryouts twice a year. At the end of February for our Spring/Summer Season and at the end of August for our Fall/Winter youth Season and Fall HS Season.
How long is a season?
Youth (grades 2nd-8th) Spring/Summer 6 months. March, April, May, June, July, August
HS (grades 9th-11th) Spring/Summer 6 months. March, April, May, June, July, August
HS (senior team ) Fall 3 months September – Nov . Spring 3 months March , April, May
Youth (grades 2nd-8th) Fall/Winter 6 months. Sept., Oct. Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
Is my child required to play the entire season?
Yes. If you register your child for a team, they are required to play for the entire season. If they quit before the season is over there will be no refunds.
Can I get a refund if my child quits the team?
No refunds will be issued once teams are set.
When will my child’s team practice?
Team practice days and times are announced after tryouts are completed.
When will games be?
Games will be played on the weekends. Each team will be given a list of the tournaments and/or leagues they will play in for the season in their individual team email.
Games are played on Saturday and Sunday.
Even though we will give you what events your team will be playing in, the actual days and times will come from the tournament and league directly and are normally available the week of the games.
Does NWM run the tournaments and leagues?
No. We enter teams into these events that are run by other organizations. They are held outside of NWM and are out of NWM control. All game times, gym locations, and cancellation of games are the responsibility of the tournament and league directors.
What if my child gets injured?
If your child suffers an injury and cannot participate, please provide NWM Administration with a written notice from a dr. and we will mark your child as injured on their team roster.
Do NWM coaches have background checks?
Yes. Each coach has a background check done through AAU.
How much of a commitment is it to play on a team?
We expect all team members to attend all team practices and games. We understand that families have other commitments, but coaches will expect consistent attendance. If you need to miss for any reason this should be communicated with your team coach.
What happens if my child consistently misses games and practices?
Playing time is not guaranteed. It must me be earned with commitment and production. This is done by attending practice and games. Coaches have full discretion to move players from one team to another. The reasons for being relocated or replaced would be if a player does not meet coaches’ or directors’ expectations in attendance, commitment and/or production.
How is team communication done?
Team communication is done through TeamSnap . Each team will have their own Teamsnap with their own team calendar. This is where practice days and times will be and all tournaments and leagues. It is important for each family to mark their availability in their Teamsnap calendar so coaches know who will be attending.
What is the best way to communicate with NWM?
The best way to contact NWM is through EMAIL. This will ensure the quickest reply to your questions. Coachvanessa@northwestmagic.org . Please always include your child’s first and last name, team/grade and a phone number.
Can my child play for another club and NWM?
No. NWM team members may not play for another club team and NWM at the same time. School and feeder teams are ok.
What level of play are NWM teams? Do you have more than one team at each grade level?
We normally have 2 teams at each grade level. We have teams for all levels. Our Blue Star teams are our top level teams that play at the highest level. We also have 2nd teams that are highly competitive. We also have teams that are more developmental that help younger kids learn the game. We have something for everyone.
How many players are on a team?
We let the coach decide how many players they would like to have on their team.
Do you post each team’s roster on your website after tryouts?
No. If you would like a roster of players after teams are set you will need to request this from us.
How do we know if my child has made a team?
Emails and phone calls start to go out the day after all tryouts are completed and can take a few days to be completed due to large number of players trying out.
NWM TEAM PLANNING
NWM coaches will follow the outline listed below. Then we have each and every team follow the same team system that the top 17U Blue Star team follows, as coached by Vanessa Mcclendon , which Coach Vanessa also outlines for the youth girls teams. NWM will work with the coaches to adapt the system to each grade level appropriately, so there is a strong building-block system in place to build from year to year until they reach the Top Travel Teams.
By having a unified basketball system running throughout all of its teams, it allows players from different teams to help out other NWM teams if a team is short on players. Coach Vanessa’s basketball team system is also unique in that it allows players basketball I.Q to grow.
Our team structure stresses fundamental team basketball. We incorporate our training and fundamentals into our offensive and defensive play. NWM coaches know how to teach motion offense, pick-and-rolls, dribble-drive, proper zone attack, press break, and fast break. We also stress the importance of solid man-to-man defense, rebounding, full court press, and transition defense. In addition to these basic fundamental team concepts, our coaches also run quick-hitters, zone traps, and special out of bounds plays that our coaches have learned and developed on their own through their years as players and coaches. Some of our teams are competitive at a national level, and others at a local level. We have teams for all levels of play for girls 3rd-HS.
NWM BASKETBALL SYSTEM
All Successful programs have a system. There should be a system for every aspect of the program.
Here is a list of systems that should be in place:
- Pre-practice systems: who gets what ready for practice?
- Warm-up systems: how are they run each day? Who runs it?
- Practice systems: how does the practice run each day?
- Clean-up systems: who helps?
- Offensive systems: what will you implement and when?
- Defensive systems: what style will you play and when will you implement it?
- Pressing and breaking press
- Out of bounds offense and defense
- Special situations (end of game, under 5 seconds…)
- Specific breakdown of skills: how are you going to teach the fundamental skills of the game, and what skills will you emphasize?
WHAT IS THE BLUE STAR & NATIONAL PROGRAM?
THE BLUE STAR & NATIONAL PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of the Blue Star & National Program is to identify players of the highest caliber on a continuing and consistent basis, which will lead to increased success for the NWM Blue Star and National teams on the local and National level. This also will provide constant competition within the Academy’s teams to bring out the best of our players and coaches.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Blue Star & National Program is to identify a pool of 18-20 players in each age group from which two teams will be selected for tournament and league competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching.
THE BLUE STAR & NATIONAL PROGRAM SELECTION PROCESS
NWM holds try-outs for Blue Star & National teams 2 times per year. Age Groups and try-out dates may be different. Your first contact should be to NWM for current or upcoming season try-out information. After try-outs, 18-20 players will be selected in each age group and they will make up their age groups respective Blue Star or National team.
HOW ARE PLAYERS SELECTED?
Players are selected on the basis of open tryouts. These tryouts are conducted by NWM trainers and coaches who are recognized for their ability to identify, train and coach players with beginner-to-superior skills. Selection of these players is not an easy task. The Blue Star/National head coach will be assisted in the selection process by several other qualified coaches from the Academy. Players are evaluated on the six components that make up a basketball player:
- Work Ethic
- Skill
- Talent
- Potential
- Fitness and Athletic Ability
- Psychological Component (attitude)
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN THE BLUESTAR & NATIONAL PROGRAM?
- Development as a player
- Opportunity to train and play with the best player’s in athlete’s age group
- Quality instruction from quality coaches
- Quality competition – Games against Locally and Nationally recognized teams
- Exposure to college coaches
