quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
here we go:
Travel teams---there is always talk regarding what constitutes a good travel team---as a person who manages a travel team in the fall perhaps I can help you all by explaining what we do not what others do. I do not profess to know what other progbrams do but I know what we do and to date we have been very successful with our approach
We do not hold tryouts--we invite players---thus we are getting players we definitely want and those who will fit our team character---team character is key to us as it should be to parents---we do a lot of research on the players and families
In my mind a good travel team does not necessarily need to win every tournament or event that they attend---they need to be highly competitive and give extensive exposure to their players
We let schools know where we play every weekend and we also ask that the players contact schools that they have interest in so as to let the coaches know---yes we may dupicate efforts but it works
We play in high profile events as well as on college campuses around the region---this gives the players exposure as well as the opportunity to visit campuses in the area during their down time---we are of the belief that the more schools you visit, even if it is a drive thru the camous, the better the player can make a decision to fit him.
We also like to creat a College Select Family wherein the parents become "buddies" as well as the players becoming a great family unit
Our efforts go beyond the senior year of HS--- we are there for ther players during college if troubles come up---sometimes they can talk with us more openly than with their parents
This is our idea of a "good" travel team
TR uses the model that the team my son played for in HS used. The main objective was helping the players to secure college scholarships, winning wasn't as important as being recruited. It also was by invitation only, though he did hold try outs in january for those not invited.
This should be the first objective in consideration for the recruiting years, playing with teams that play on college campuses, have coach contacts, and playing against good competition.
It may not always be easy to find such a situation, regardless of being called a scout team or a travle team, I think that trying to find a situation where those in charge are more interested in getting you seen than winning the trophy is most important.