1.    What is the difference between House and Select?

House League is recreational with a 2-hour weekly commitment, minimum playing time requirements, games in 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.

2.    What is the cost to register? What is your refund policy?

Participants must register in advance to tryout.  If you do not make a team or decline a roster spot, you will be given the option to transfer into the winter house league or request a refund less a $25 processing fee.  In addition to the GF Hoops registration fee of $195 ($225 after 9/26), an additional team fee of $275 per player ($300 for 4th grade Development team) will be assessed and is due upon acceptance of a roster position.  This covers team FCYBL registration fees, professional trainers, gym rentals, training gear, additional tournaments, scrimmages, referees, etc.  There is no refund once a roster position has been accepted and paid.  Rostered players must purchase their uniform from our online store. 

3.    When are tryouts?  Practices?  Games?

Tryouts:  Select League tryouts occur in late September/early October each year and House League tryouts occur in early-mid November each year. 4th grade Development Team tryouts occur in mid-October. Most teams will have two tryouts only and initial cuts will begin after the first tryout. An A team will be formed in every grade and a B team may be formed based on interest and talent after tryouts begin.

Practices: Select teams will practice two times during the week, typically for 90 minutes each session.  Additional weekday/weekend practices and scrimmages may occur to prepare for the winter season.  Some teams may opt to participate in Fall league play, tournaments or scrimmages.

Games:  Most Select games are on weekends but occasionally, 1-2 weeknight games are scheduled.  We have no ability to change or influence the game schedule or venue as the schedule is established by FCYBL.  Some games may require 30-45 minutes of travel time to the venue.  Allow a 3-hour window in your schedule to plan for drive time to/from the gym, pre/post-game talk, warm-ups, and actual game time

Comparatively, House League teams will conduct evaluations in late October/early November, have one 60-minute weeknight practice and typically one game per weekend in one of our local gyms.

4.    What are the priorities in the Select League?

Our goals for the Select League are to:

• Field competitive teams
• Make significant developmental progress in individual and team skills
• Create a rewarding experience

5.    Which zip codes are assigned to the Great Falls Basketball Select Program?

For 2024-25, Select teams primarily include players from zip codes 22066, 22182, 20170,  20194,  22102 (NEW this season), 20191 (NEW this season) with 2 zip code exceptions allowed. All players must reside in Fairfax County and the exception rule does not apply to non-residents. Zip code allocations will be updated and finalized by FCYBL in September.

6.    How is my child’s league age determined in the Select Program?

League age for Select teams is governed by FCYBL.  See Section 5 of the FCYBL Rules, Section 5 per the link below for more details.

7.    I would like my child to be challenged. Can my 3rd or 4th grader tryout for Select?

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.

8.    Can a player tryout for both the Select and House League programs? If my child makes a Select team, can he/she also play in the House League?

5th-8th grade Select players CANNOT participate in the House League or any other FCYBL Select program. Scheduling conflicts are likely, 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.

9.    Do I have to register and pay a registration fee to attend Select tryouts?

Yes.  Any player trying out for Select must register with Great Falls basketball and pay the required registration fee prior to attending any open gym or tryout.

10. Does my player need to attend all the tryout sessions for his/her age group?

It is strongly encouraged that each player attends each scheduled tryout in order for the coaches/evaluators to make a proper assessment of his/her skills. If a player is going to miss any of the tryout sessions, please make sure that the coach is aware of the absence. Initial cuts will begin after the first tryout.

11. Do Select teams have commitments during the Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks?

FCYBL does not schedule games during the Fairfax County Public School Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks.  However, some Select teams will participate in holiday tournaments but these are not mandatory.

12. My son/daughter tried out for a Select team but was not chosen.  Is he/she automatically registered for the House League?

Players not chosen for the Select team are automatically rolled over into the House League.  No additional action is required on your part.