GENERAL

What makes the Halo League different from other leagues?
1. We make the game age-appropriate!  Young players need to have time to grow into the adult game.  We’ve modified the rules and equipment to fit young players as they grow and learn the fundamental skills.  As players experience success - they score a lot in the Halo League! - they’re encouraged to continue playing correctly. The additional practice sessions, group workouts and clinics give players the opportunity to receive quality coaching and guidance.

2.  We provide an atmosphere that encourages people to live for God.  We value relationships, especially the coach-player relationship, and use them to help young people take on the challenges that come with playing basketball.  We believe this translates directly to real life situations.

Is this a church league?
No, this is a community league.  We welcome players from the community, as well as from churches.  We encourage kids to play with their friends - scout troops, neighborhoods, churches or any other groups.

What does the player fee go toward?
Player fees cover the cost of facility rentals, referees (Halo and state-certified), game balls and other supplies, awards, team jerseys, Christian message booklets and overhead.

Where do you get your coaches and are they paid?
Our coaches are volunteers.  Most of our coaches are parents of kids who play in the league and some are people who simply love to encourage and improve kids!  They receive no financial payment but enjoy the many rewards of working with young people and their families.  In addition, coaches must have a basic knowledge of the game and receive Halo training prior to the season.

Why don’t you conduct tryouts?
We believe young players have a great experience when they play with their friends in a competitive environment.  We use narrow age divisions and often separate teams within a division into flights to further enhance the competitive experience.

Don’t leagues that hold tryouts avoid blowouts (one team ahead by a lot of points)?
Actually, all leagues have blowouts.  You can never predict injuries or sicknesses or how young players will perform on any given day.  Although blowouts are uncomfortable, they are an opportunity to learn - for both teams. We train our coaches to teach their players how to respond, whether they’re on the winning or losing side.  Halo coaches have options of what they can do during a blowout, depending on the situation and the divisional rules.

My kid is naturally talented.  Will playing in this league help them?

Yes!  All young players need to practice the fundamental skills, no matter how naturally talented they are.  We group them according to their amount of experienced on an organized team.

  • Beginners have little or no experience with organized sports.
  • Intermediate players have a few years of experience playing organized sports, including basketball.
  • Advanced players have at least a few years of experience with organized basketball and have developed individual basketball skills.  Most have experience playing on school and/or travel teams.

How can parents help out during the season?

  1. Support the coach. A good rule of thumb is to treat the coach how you would want to be treated.  If you disagree with the way they’re handling a situation, deal directly with the coach.  Set up a brief private meeting or speak with them on the phone.  Please do not approach a coach before or after a game to discuss a potentially difficult issue.  Do not criticize a coach in front of your child.  If you’re interested in helping during practice - keep kids organized, be a passer, etc… - just let the coach know.
  2. Respect the officials. During games, don’t worry about the referees- just focus on cheering and encouraging the players! It’s more fun for everyone. Help the Halo coaches teach the players to be concerned only with what they can control - their own response.
  3. Encourage the players and their families. Immediately after the game, compliment your child and their teammate on what they did well and how the team improved. If you want to offer helpful criticism, talk with your child about it later in the day. Then, open the discussion by asking them first what they think they need to improve upon.  You can also organize a team meal or activity, and enjoy getting to know the other families.

What is your refund policy?
Refund policy

Do you offer any scholarships?
Yes.  You can apply for a Winter League scholarship by e-mailing info@halohoops.com and requesting an application.  Applications must be received by Oct. 19 in order to be eligible.

REGISTRATION

What if I request a coach or teammates for my child and the team is already full? The League Director consults with the Coach. If the player’s other request(s) cannot be met, other information on their registration form is used.

Can I request a specific practice time?
We don’t take requests for practice times.  The practice times for the teams are dependent on the coach and the facility schedule.  If your child gets placed on a team and the practice schedule doesn’t work for you, you can let the coach know.  If you’re unable to resolve the problem, then you can e-mail the Director and we’ll work to move your child to another team.

How do I know if my child will be a school team player if those tryouts are held later than Halo registration?
We recommend that players who are trying out for the school team request to be in the Gold division for the Halo League.
This is for two reasons:
1.  If the player does make the school team, they’re only allowed to play in the Gold division.
2.  If the player doesn’t make the school team, they probably want to play with the more skilled players in the Gold division.

PRACTICES

What if my child can’t make the designate practice times?
If your child will regularly miss practice times due to another obligation, notify the coach immediately.  The coach and league director will try to find another team for your child to join.
How can my child get ready for practices?

  • Wear comfortable tee shirt, shorts, athletic shoes
  • Eat a light snack, allowing time for good digestion
  • Arrive 5-10 min. early
  • Use the restroom a few minutes prior to the start


GAMES

How can my child get ready for games?

  • Wear team shirt, shorts, athletic shoes
  • Eat a meal or snack, allowing time for good digestion
  • Arrive 15 min. early
  • Use the restroom a few minutes prior to the start

Where do you get your referees and are they paid?
For the Youth League, the referees are adults who enjoy the game and working with young people.  They have experience working with young basketball players and enjoy helping them learn to play the game correctly.  For the Crossover and Rec Leagues, the referees are state-certified officials with high school officiating experience who also enjoy the game and working with young people. They receive pay comparable to referees in other sports in the area.

Why is my team playing 1 less game than what we were guaranteed?
Occasionally there is an odd number of teams in the division, so the regular season may have 1 less game than the guaranteed amount.  Following the regular season, all teams will either participate in a Celebration (Hot Shots and Youth) or have a playoff game (Crossover and Rec).

END-OF-SEASON TOURNAMENT

What does the term “round robin” mean?
Round robin means that every team in the division plays every other team one time.

What does the term “single elimination” mean?
Single elimination means that once a team loses one game, they’re done playing in the tournament.