2015 Winter Programs
Dover Sherborn Youth Basketball consists of two programs:
- Town Intramural Basketball
The town program is for players who have an interest in participating in the game of basketball, but cannot commit to a rigorous schedule. Players choosing the town program meet once a week on Saturdays to practice and play against other teams within the program. For more information, please click here.
The travel basketball program plays in the Metro West league and requires a higher level of commitment. Two practices a week and games on Sundays, including during school vacations.
Our Philosophy with the Travel Basketball Program
The Dover Sherborn Youth Basketball Travel teams participate in the Metro West Basketball league which consists of suburban towns located to the west and south of Boston. See http://www.metrowestbball.com/ for more information.
Our program is offered to boys and girls in grades 4 through 8. We offer a positive environment for boys and girls interested in developing their basketball skills. Our goal is to help players accomplish the following:
- Develop skills and learn the game of basketball
- Promote teamwork, good sportsmanship and physical conditioning
- Effectively compete with neighboring towns in the game of basketball
If done correctly, athletic competition for our children not only provides enjoyment for the participants but teaches our players real-life lessons: how to work with others, how to compete (including both winning and losing with dignity), how to communicate, how to respectfully deal with authority figures.
Our teams hold tryouts in early fall and practice and play games from late October to mid-March. Practices are held once or twice a week in Dover or Sherborn regional school gyms. Regular season games take place on Sundays, starting in December. Playoffs games take place on weekends or week nights starting in late February and can continue through mid-March.
Travel Team Design Guidelines
Grade 4 and Grade 5 Teams
- Evenly balanced teams based on try out skills evaluation
- Coaches split up teams after try outs
- If the coaches cannot agree on the evenly balanced teams a “draft” will be held with the DS Youth Basketball Board present to review any issues and make adjustments as necessary.
Please note the "For All Grades" section below
Grades 6 – 8 Teams
- Split teams with an A team and a B team
- If there are enough players to have three teams then there will be one A team, one B team and one C team
- Coaches split up the teams after try outs
- If the coaches cannot agree on the teams a “draft” will be held with the DS Youth Basketball Board present to review any issues and make adjustments as necessary.
Please note the "For All Grades" section below
For All Grades
Coaches may propose an exception to the team design guidelines listed above for a specific grade if there are special circumstances and the proposed solution is in the interest of all players. The DSYBB Board will consider all requests.
Travel Team Playing Time Guidelines
Playing in competition is an important part of basketball development for youth players and Dover Sherborn travel basketball wants to be clear and transparent with its playing time guidelines. First off, It is important to recognize that playing time will not be perfectly equal across all players in travel team basketball games.
Coaches aim to make playing time as equal as possible. Factors that coaches take into consideration when determining playing time include: attendance at practices, teamwork, attitude, ability and game situations. Coaches target a maximum of 60% playing time and a minimum of 40% playing time for all players who attend practice and are committed to the team, over the course of the season.
