TEAM SELECTION CRITERIA 

VYI County Select basketball differs from House basketball in that teams are selected based on two or three tryouts held in the first two weeks of October and only the best players, in the sole opinion of the Division I coach and staff with the approval of the County Commissioner, are selected based on how well they perform at the tryouts.  

VYI generally follows the rules of the Fairfax County Youth Basketball League, but VYI does have additional rules that must be followed by parents and coaches. The rules exist to ensure the maximum number of participants can play at their appropriate age level. Please read the following carefully. 

1. Players must register at VYI's WEB site prior to attending tryouts and pay the appropriate House fee subject to refund or credit against County fees if the player makes a County team. Parents must read and agree to abide by all rules related to participation in tryouts and on County teams. 

2. Players must attend a minimum of two tryouts held the first two weeks of October, prior to selection for a team, even if they are injured.  

3. VYI does not allow a player to enter its County program, or to rejoin its program, at any other then the lowest age/grade level for which the player is eligible. For example, 5th graders would play for the 5th grade team, 6th graders would play for the 6th grade team, 7th graders would play for the 7th grade team and 8th graders would play for the 8th grade team. VYI does not allow players to "play-up" as that may preclude an age-appropriate player from participating, and VYI prefers that participants play for a different coach each year. The VYI County Basketball Commissioner may grant special authority in hardship cases, but for every out of age player approved in advance by the Commissioner and selected to a team, a player of the appropriate age/grade level must be added to that team. 

For example, if a player plays for a VYI 5th grade team one year as a 10 year old, then plays for another club the next year, and then wants to return to VYI, the only alternative under VYI rules is at the 7th grade level. The player may not try out for the 8th grade team, or be selected for an 8th grade team, even if they are age eligible, unless approved in advance by the VYI County Basketball Commissioner, as this is considered "playing up".  
 
Only one 4th graders may be selected by a coach for a 5th grade team and must have the approval of the VYI County Basketball Commissioner. For every 4th grader in this position, VYI requires that one extra 5th grader must be added to that team.   

4. VYI does not allow less than 9 or more than 11 players on a single team, without proper justification and the approval of the VYI County Basketball Commissioner. VYI recommends that each coach choose a 10 player team. 

5. A player with an injury prior to tryouts is expected to attend all tryouts as the team to which he wants to be selected, and may be selected if the coach is familiar with his skills from past basketball seasons, basketball summer play or based on the recommendation of another VYI Division I basketball coach.  

7. FCYBL allows two zip code exceptions per team for all teams and VYI follows that policy. VYI however, asks that all coaches give consideration to players from our area and if there is only a slight difference in skills that area players be selected over out of zip exceptions. 

8. Players are chosen at the sole discretion of the Division I coach at that age level and gender, along with his assistants and the Division II coach, and must be approved prior to player notification by the VYI County Commissioner. Selection is subjective and each coach may select anyone they wish without exception, as long as all rules above are followed. However, VYI recommends that the coach select the 10 players who perform the best at tryouts, within the grade and zip code rules above, which fit the desires of that coach for the type of team the coach wants to form. Selections, lack of selection, or reasons for selection, may not be appealed by parents. 

9. There are three tryout slots for each team.  The Division I coach may make his/her team selections after the second tryout 

ATTN: Payment of all fees must be completed no later than one week after uniform try-ons the Saturday following the last scheduled tryout.