Basketball Instruction/unfair tryouts

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Expert: - 12/18/2011


Question
My son attends high school in California (southern)he is a junior and has played previously as sophomore for this same school. over the summer his school played in some summer tournaments my son did not attend he traveled over the summer. this year i was told by the coach that he could not participate in their program because he did not play over the summer with the schools team.  there were no tryouts held for the jv team his coach told me the try outs were held the previous year for the jv team. in other words to play on the 2011-2012 team you would have had to try out during the 2010-2011 semester. is any of this legal? i thought kids were allowed to tryout each year for any particular sport?

Answer
Hi Terrance,

This is not my area of expertise, however, once you get to the High School level and above, it's all up to the coach how the program is run. If he/she has certain rules or guidelines you must follow in order to play, then you have to follow them. I agree it seems unfair for your son to miss an entire year of playing. If your son is really good and you think he might have a future to play college, I would look into playing for another school. But to answer your question, it's perfectly legal.  

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Bret Temple

Expertise

My expertise is in the art of Officiating Basketball and I can answer questions pertaining to basketball rules; youth level through CIF High School, NCAA college and NBA rules as well. I can either help define a specific rule for you, or interpret a specific rule to clarify how other officials and I view and call the game.

Experience

I have been a Basketball Official now for over 19 years, officiating at all levels. I have attended numerous training camps throughout the years in an attempt to constantly become a better official. I have been evaluated by top Officiating organizations and I've had the honor of being selected to officiate at the highest levels including former Division 1 College and NBA players.

Organizations
NASO (National Association of Sports Officials) CBOA (California Basketball Officials Association)

Education/Credentials
El Sorrino Officials Association Accreditation CIF Certified(California Interscholastic Federation) WCPBL(West Coast Professional Baskeball League) The NBA Developmental League training

Past/Present Clients
Los Angeles City Parks and Recreation, Calabasas Basketball League, Calabasas Semi-Pro Men's League, AYBA California Interscholatic Federation, ARC League , (WCPBL)West Coast Professional Basketball League, Gary Grant Youth Basketball Program

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