GRADE 3 and 4 Philosophy 

Our philosophy for 3rd and 4th grade is described:

• Emphasis: Individual and team skills. This level is to develop a love for the game and the skills to play it well.
• Playing time: Nearly equal, depending upon a player’s practice attendance and effort.
• Teams: Our age groups have ONE team that practices together. Rosters will vary from week to week.
• League Play: FAYBL and BADL will host split/mixed teams and play on weekends.
• Regular Tournament Season: Each player will play in 5 local tournaments between mid-January and mid-March.
• If the player registers for the Extended Season, then the player will play in 3 additional tournaments between mid-March and mid-April and may travel further.

GRADE 5 Philosophy 

Our philosophy for 5th grade is described:

• Emphasis: Individual and team skills. This level is to develop of love of the game and skills to play it well.
• Playing time: Nearly equal depending on a player’s practice attendance, effort and skill. Every player will have some extended playing time in each half of every game.
• Teams: Our age groups have ONE team that practices together. Rosters will vary from week to week.
• League Play: Teams will play in league games from November through January. The Catholic school league games will aim to give developing players an opportunity to gain more experience in a less competitive environment. The FAYBL and BADL weekend games will be more competitive in nature.
• Regular Season Tournaments: Each player will play in 5 local tournaments between mid-January and mid-March.
• If the player registers for the Extended Season, then the player will play in 3 additional tournaments between mid-February and mid-April and may travel further.

GRADE 6 Philosophy 

Our philosophy for 6th grade is described:

• Emphasis: Individual and team skills. We pay much more attention to fundamental skills. At this level, during the extended season we will allow the coaches to assign players to tournaments based on their current ability.
• Playing time: Nearly equal depending on a player’s practice attendance, effort and skill. Every player will have some extended playing time in each half of every game.
• Teams: Our age groups have ONE team that practices together. Rosters will vary from week to week.
• League Play: Teams will play in league games from November through January. The Catholic school league games will aim to give developing players an opportunity to gain more experience in a less competitive environment. The FAYBL and BADL weekend games will be more competitive in nature.
• Tournaments: Each player will play in 5 local tournaments between mid-January and mid-March.
• If the player registers for the Extended Season, then the player will play in 3 additional tournaments between mid-February and mid-April and may travel further.
• Extended Season playing time: At grade 6 the extended season tournaments will be grouped into “A” and “B” teams based on skill level. All players will play in each half of every game. The amount of playing time depends on a player’s practice attendance, effort, dedication and skill. Players’ roles will be communicated and be expected to fulfill it.

GRADE 7 and 8 Philosophy 

Our philosophy for 7th and 8th grade is described:

• Emphasis: Individual and team skills, competition. We pay much more attention to fundamental skills. Competition is an important part of this level. We want to teach players how to be competitive; how to maximize their roles on the team.
• Playing time: Every player will play in each half of every game. The amount of playing time depends on a player’s practice attendance, effort, dedication and skill. Skill is a more significant factor in playing time. Players’ roles will be communicated and be expected to fulfill it.
• Teams: Teams will be divided into “A” and “B” teams, but the rosters will vary each week to allow coaches the ability to allow different opportunities to players. Both teams practice together.
• League Play: Teams will play in league games from November through January. The Catholic school league games will aim to give developing players an opportunity to gain more experience in a less competitive environment. The FAYBL and BADL weekend games will be more competitive in nature.
• Tournaments: Each player will play in 8 tournaments between January and mid-April.