A: IYBL is now in its 27th Year and is also a youth basketball league sanctioned by National Junior Basketball. We provide a competitive and balanced recreational basketball program for boys and girls 3rd thru 8th Grade. Of primary emphasis are sportsmanship, teamwork, and healthy competition. IYBL is a non-profit organization. Through the commitment of our players and families, IYBL is the largest NJB chapter in Southern California. Last year over 1,000 boys and girls participated in the program.
Q: What is National Junior Basketball?
A: National Junior Basketball is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Anaheim, CA. NJB has blossomed into a national youth league with over 40,000 participants in 6 states. NJB offers basketball programs for boys and girls in 1st through 12th grade. For more information on NJB, you may visit their website at www.njbl.org.
Q: Why are our games played on Sundays?
A: High School Gyms are not availaible on Saturdays or Weekdays, High School teams may not play or practice on Sundays. So this is the only time available for our league games.
Q: What are the grade levels/divisions for players?
A: The following levels of divisional play are available:
Division 3 Grades 3rd or 4th
Division 2 Grades 5th or 6th
Division 1 Grades 7th or 8th
Q: When does the season start?
A: Practices for the winter season may officially begin on November 1st with the first games beginning in mid November.
Q: When does the season end?
A: The winter season ends in March.
Q: When is registration?
A: Registration for the winter season begins online in July and ends Sept. 30th. Space is limited and registration is assigned on a first come, first serve basis. Registration can ONLY be done on-line at the official IYBL website (www.iybl.info).
Q: Why is enrollment limited for each division?
A: Maximum player enrollment counts are required due to the limited availability of local area gymnasiums. Once the maximum number of players is reached for a division, a wait list is started.
Q: Why are practices held outdoors?
A: Due to the lack of available gymnasium time at local schools, coaches must hold practices outside.
Q: Can my child play up a division?
A: No player will be allowed to play up a division.
Q: Can my child play down a division?
A: Unless there is a safety issue involved, no player will be allowed to play down a division.
Q: What is the included for the $180 registration fee? Early $155 if paid by August 31st 2007.
A: Each player's registration fee is used to pay costs for gym rental, uniforms, referees, insurance, trophies, and our all-star program. Additionally, there is no mandatory family fund-raising activity so this fee will be the only amount required to be paid for each player.
Q: Where are the games played?
A: All games are played on Sundays at local Irvine High Schools. Practice days and times are determined by individual coaches and are normally conducted at outdoor local school campuses.
Q: What are IYBL & NJB's boundaries?
A: IYBL serves Irvine City Boundries. Additionally, anyone who lives within Irvine School boundaries is eligible to play in our chapter.
Q: How much of the game will my child play?
A: IYBL has strict player participation rules. Each player is required to play three full and continuous periods through out the game. A 5th period is played in each game at which time the coach may freely substitute and provide additional participation.
Q: What is the IYBL (end of Season Tournament)?
A: The IYBL (Tournament) is a 2 week tournament after the completion of our chapter's regular season operated by IYBL. Each Irvine team will play against teams with similar win/loss records from your current grade level. All teams will be encouraged to participate regardless of their regular season record. There is no additional cost for this tournament as the fee is included in your IYBL registration fee. During this tournament, all games will be played @ Irvine High School Gyms.
Q: What is the difference between Divisional Play and All-Net?
A: Divisional Play is regular league play in one of our grade levels of competitive play for boys and girls in the 3rd through 8th grades. Teams usually practice once or twice per week. The All-Net Program is a division of NJB created to provide a more competitive and organized level of youth basketball, designed to prepare boys and girls in the 5th through 8th grade for high school level competition. Teams primarily consist of All-Star caliber players and travel to play against teams from other Southern California NJB Chapters. For more information on All-Net, please see the All-Net section of our website.
Q: Why are there evaluations?
A: Player evaluations are essential to our goal of creating equally talented teams. To achieve this goal, the evaluations are mandatory. The evaluations are not tryouts, as all registered players will be assigned to a team regardless of their ability.
Q: Who coaches the teams?
A: Coaches are volunteers. They are mostly parents. In some cases they may be an individual that is interested in coaching a team, but does not have a child on the team. Each coach is required to fill out an application and go through an interview process.
