1.  What is the difference between House and Select?

The house league basketball program is a purely recreational league with a focus on skill development while having fun. Team sizes are intentionally kept small (7-8 players) with minimum playing time requirements.  House League teams have one 60-minute weeknight practice, typically one game per weekend in one of our local gyms and one set fee paid at the time of registration.  Comparatively, the Select League, run by the Fairfax County Youth Basketball League (FCYBL), is for more competitive players with a 6-8 hour weekly commitment, discretionary playing time, additional fees, and longer travel for games. For more information on Select, see the Select tab on our website.

2.  What is the cost to register?

The cost to participate in the Winter House League is a flat registration fee of $195 ($225 after 9/25) which includes a jersey. 

3.  What is your refund policy?

See House League Refund policy at House Refund Policy.

4.  Is there a financial assistance program?

Yes.  See additional financial assistance information at Financial Aid.

5.  When are Tryouts?  Practices?  Games?

Tryouts: House League evaluations occur in late October/early November.  Every player must attend one evaluation session.

Practices: Teams will conduct one 60-minute weeknight practice in one of our local area gyms.

Games:  Teams will typically play one game per weekend in one of our local area gyms beginning in mid-November and concluding with the GF Hoops version of March Madness concluding no later than March 15th

6. This is my child's first time playing basketball. Will he/she be "lost" and/or relegated to little playing time?

Team rosters are intentionally kept small (7-8 players) in order to give everyone lots of playing time and opportunities to learn about the game and work on their skill development. Coaches follow mandatory minimum playing time requirements so that all players, regardless of skill level, will play at least half of every game (one full quarter per half). 

7.  My child can't practice on more than one day. The registration system only allows me to specify one day. What can I do?

The league requires coaches to draft players who do not have a conflict with that coach's practice time slot. We allow each player to specify one "can't practice" day. Our registration system will capture only one "can't practice" day for each player.  It is assumed that players will make themselves available on all other weeknights.

8.  How do I get my child on the same team with his/her friend(s) and/or classmate(s)?

We encourage parents to note in the registration form (special requests section) your desire to have your child on the same team with another child. We will provide that information to the coaches at the draft session, but coaches are under no obligation to take this information into consideration when drafting their team.

For grades K-1 we try to group players by elementary school in an attempt to keep them with friends and classmates.  Beginning in Grade 2, we can appreciate the desirability of having your children play on the same team with a friend(s); however, as a league, we need to balance that with our efforts to create teams that are evenly balanced from a competitive standpoint. Given the small number of players on a house league basketball team (7-8 players), two good players paired together can make a significant competitive difference; therefore, for grades 2-12, our policy is to not pre-arrange team placements for any reason including assistant coaches, requests for carpools, classmates, neighbors, etc.

9.  I would like my child to be challenged. Can he/she play up in a higher group?

Great Falls Basketball uses a grade-based placement system and does not permit players to play up or play down in the house league based on age, size, or subjective factors including skill level, scoring ability, ball handling, prior experience, etc.  Players who possess exceptionally strong talent should consider trying out for the Select program or the 4th grade Developmental team.  3rd and 4th grade players may try out for the 5th grade Select teams.  If they do not make the 5th grade Select team, they can try out for the 4th grade Developmental team, but 3rd and 4th graders on this team must also play in the House League.

10.  Is it possible for my son/daughter to try out for both the Select Program and House Program? And, if he/she makes it into the Select Program, can he/she play in both leagues?

5th - 8th grade Select players CANNOT participate in the House league or any other FCYBL Select program. Scheduling conflicts are likely given that the Select game schedule is established by an independent organization, forcing players to choose between teams, which would be unfair to House League players and teams.  4th grade Developmental team players MUST play on a House League team.

11.  Can my twins play on the same team?

In an effort to ensure that teams are competitively balanced, twins may or may not end up on the same team.  Any requests for twins to be on the same team will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the House League Director overseeing that grade group and the GF Hoops Board.  Please reach out to your House League Director to start the conversation.  The names of the House League Directors can be found on our website.

12.  What equipment does my child need to participate?

Please make sure that your player has a pair of athletic shoes that are in good condition.  High top basketball shoes are encouraged in an effort to provide maximum support to a player’s ankles, but not required.  If a player would like to practice on his/her own time, the appropriately-sized basketball is also encouraged but not required.   A team jersey will be provided to each player by GF Hoops and should be worn at all games.

Reminder on basketball sizes (for House and Select):

• Regulation 29.5" – Boys Grade 7 and higher
• 28.5" – Girls Grades 4-12 and Boys Grades 4-6
• 27.5" – Grade 2 and Grade 3 (boys and girls)