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Frequently Asked Questions
Basketball Leagues
SoCal Elite Sports prides itself on having the best youth basketball league in Orange County. What started out as a “Rookie League” for grades K–2nd has transformed into one of the largest youth basketball leagues in Orange County. After over 28 seasons, SoCal Elite has tailored its league to meet popular demands and has remained in tune with the ever-changing ways of basketball. Basketball is a dynamic sport in which trends, styles and rules are constantly being tweaked. The key to SoCal Elite’s success has been creating the most enjoyable experience possible for all players. Experienced staff members and coaches manage SoCal Elite’s operations, which leads to a more productive environment for players. Unlike most youth basketball organizations, SoCal Elite has four seasonal leagues in the spring, summer, fall and winter. This allows players to play year-round, if they so choose.
The Winter League is the prime time for youth basketball. During other seasons (spring, summer and fall), most youth players play multiple sports or have other obligations. As a result, our Spring/Summer/Fall Leagues are just 6-8 games on Sundays. The Spring/Summer/Fall Leagues are our off-season leagues and are primarily for those players who wish to play basketball games year-round. If you would like additional practice during our off-season leagues, please join our SoCal Elite Academy.
Our coaches are parent volunteers. Our staff members will assist any coaches who need help or who are coaching for the very first time.
All games are played at local IUSD / TUSD High School gyms, Concordia University, the Jewish Community Center (JCCOC) or at local community center gyms.
For our Rookie and Youth Divisions, equal participation for all players is guaranteed. Each player is guaranteed to play a minimum of 20 minutes per game.
For the Rookie Division, teams are formed by Division first then Schools/Areas. For the Youth Division, teams are formed by grade and through drafts after player evaluations.
SoCal Elite is always looking for volunteer basketball coaches for all seasonal leagues. If you are unable to, or do not want to, volunteer to help operate SoCal Elite’s basketball leagues efficiently, you are required to pay a ‘buyout fee’ to cover the cost of bringing on additional staff members.
Basketball Academy
SoCal Elite’s basketball training academy is unique because of its breakdown in skill level. The Academy is broken down into multiple skill and grade levels. The Academy is open weekly year-round, except major U.S. holidays. Rookie (1st–2nd grade) is for beginners and young players and uses a lower height hoop. Next is Beginner (2nd-4th grade) which is similar to Rookie and serves as a transitional level for beginner players who are ready to play on 10-foot hoops. Novice (3rd–5th grade) is one of our most popular levels for those elementary-aged kids with a little experience or want to try out the sport for the first time. Intermediate (5th–8th grade) is for more experienced players or for those players who have graduated from the first few levels. Finally, Advanced (6th–8th grade) is for the advanced players who are usually older.
Depending on your child’s skill level, you should try to match it to the corresponding Academy level. Usually when a player is first starting out, he or she will start with the Rookie or Novice level and work his or her way up. If the player has already been playing for a while, the Intermediate level should work best.
Players are required to bring their own appropriately-sized basketball. Players are recommended to bring their own water/refreshments and wear comfortable athletic apparel (athletic shorts, rubber-soled closed toed shoes and short sleeves – no jeans or sandals).
Unfortunately at this time and due to Covid-19 restrictions, we do not offer any make-ups for missed classes. Your child is ONLY allowed to attend the class you have registered for.
Your child’s recurring membership starts the day you register for the academy league and begins the next upcoming academy session. You do not need to re-register after your initial registration. Your membership is on an auto-debit system that recurs every month and enrolls you into your class every week.
To change or stop your membership, please email us your cancellation request at least 72 hours before your next billing date with your child’s name, grade, and academy class they are registered in.
Basketball Camps
SoCal Elite’s seasonal youth basketball camps are a great opportunity for your child to learn the game of basketball in a friendly atmosphere. Each camper is placed with his or her age group and skill level to ensure a positive environment and an overall fun experience!
Players are required to bring their own appropriately-sized basketball. Players are recommended to bring their own water/refreshments and wear comfortable athletic apparel (athletic shorts, rubber-soled closed toed shoes and short sleeves – no jeans or sandals).
Basketball Club Travel Teams
SoCal Elite’s Club Basketball teams are a great opportunity for your child to play against the top competition in Southern California. This exposure to the best competition is paramount to a players’ improvement on a grander stage. Our club teams play in 1-2 tournaments per month and practice three times per week in indoor gymnasiums. Playing on a SoCal Elite Club team is a great way to develop camaraderie with fellow teammates, all while playing against top-notch competition. Unique to SoCal Elite, we will assist you with any financial difficulties you have; our main focus is to make sure that those players who CAN play at the club level, DO play at the club level.
SoCal Elite’s club basketball teams have two (2) team practices with their head coach per week. In addition to two team practices per week, club players will also have access to weekly fundamental training at The Academy with SoCal Elite trainers. This system is designed to help your child improve as a basketball player and develop chemistry with teammates, all while allowing them to make time for other obligations. In addition, there is a mandatory ‘open gym clinic’ every Friday night for additional practice before the weekend.
The full Club year runs from mid-September to mid-August and is divided into three seasons: Fall, Winter and Spring/Summer. Each season runs 3-4 months.
Each week there are two 90-minute team practices, with a one-hour clinic practice on Fridays.
There are 8-10 players on each team at all grade levels. In cases where we have enough at a grade level to form two teams, there will be a Black and a Grey team. Players will be placed accordingly at the coaches’ discretion.
Each team will have a Head Coach. Friday clinics will be run by each and every one of our team coaches on a rotational schedule.
Club basketball is different from Recreational League basketball in that there is no guaranteed playing time for any player. Coaches will do their best to get every player in the game, but some players will play more than others.
We play in two tournaments per month. Most tournaments will have games on both a Saturday and Sunday. Some will be over holiday weekends with play over three days.
We realize that every family has schedules outside of basketball and like to plan their weekend in advance. However, tournament schedules in Club basketball are typically not set until the Thursday night before a tournament. Schedules are set by the tournament organizers and not by us, unless it is a SoCal Elite-sponsored event. We send out schedules as soon as we get them to give our families as much notice as we can. Please know that some scheduled dates can/will change due to changes set by the tournament host which are out of our control.
Most of our tournaments will be local. However, we will play in 2-3 out of town tournaments in Santa Barbara, San Diego and Las Vegas. These are scheduled during the Spring and Summer where travel does not interfere with school schedules. Hotel stay is recommended.
Tournament fees are calculated at the beginning of each season and are due with Club fees. However, every tournament charges an entry fee for spectators. Parents, grandparents, siblings, etc. will pay a daily fee and sometimes a parking fee for each car. The fee is set by the tournament host and is not controlled by SoCal Elite.
We ask that every player make a commitment they plan to honor for the entire season. Pulling out of the program mid-season is disruptive to the program and the team process. After one season ends and before the next one begins, each player will be asked to recommit for that upcoming season. This would be the point at which a player can move on to pursue other interests if he/she so chooses.
AAU basketball is the largest governing body of club basketball in the country. While not all tournaments are AAU sanctioned events, we will be participating in several throughout the year. We require that all coaches and players purchase the extended AB membership which not only allows us to play in AAU events, but also gives everyone insurance in any of our events. The membership is valid until September 1st of the calendar year regardless of purchase date.
Club basketball has a higher cost than recreational basketball. We offer a cheaper pay-all-up-front option or a two-pay option. Understand that we have to pay for the following: Gym rent for all practices, coaches, web management, and tournaments, which can add up when it is a small group. For a typical 4-month season, the cost is around $900 per player, which includes 7-8 tournaments and all practices and associated fees.
Uniforms are separate and not included in the fee as most players are returning. We only require players to purchase a new uniform if they do not have a current SoCal Elite club uniform.
If your son/daughter makes a team, SoCal Elite will contact you and set up a team meeting to introduce your entire team and answer any questions you may have. This will be done within the first week of practice. We will announce teams no later than 48 hours after the final tryout.
Volleyball Leagues
Player Evaluation Day gives SoCal Elite’s volleyball coaching staff an opportunity to observe each player’s volleyball ability and knowledge before teams are formed. Each registered player will go through a basic volleyball skill assessment that encompasses passing, setting, hitting, and serving.
After players are evaluated, teams will be formed internally to provide a competitive and fun experience for all players. Teams are coed and formed by dispersing talent as evenly as possible to ensure fairness – they are not limited by the number of boys or girls on each team.
Our volleyball league practices will be led by SoCal Elite’s volleyball coaching staff with the help of Parent Coach volunteers.
SoCal Elite is always looking for volunteer Parent Coaches for all seasonal leagues. If you are unable to, or do not want to, volunteer to help operate SoCal Elite’s volleyball leagues efficiently, you are required to pay a ‘buy-out fee’ to cover the cost of bringing on additional staff members.
Each week there will be a two hour session for players to get an opportunity to practice and play scrimmages. Your whole division will practice together. After practice is over, your team will play a scheduled scrimmage against another team in your division. Depending on the division’s volleyball ability, there may be modifications to the games to provide the best experience.
Volleyball Academy
Our Volleyball Academy League consists of weekly practices focusing on skill development that help our players build a great foundation to their volleyball game. Once a month, players will get an opportunity to apply what they have been working on with a “game situation” day. This may include a scrimmage, or game-like drills.
Players are required to bring their own appropriately-sized volleyball. Players are recommended to bring their own water/refreshments and wear comfortable athletic apparel (athletic shorts, rubber-soled closed toed shoes and short sleeves – no jeans or sandals). Knee pads are optional.
Unfortunately at this time and due to Covid-19 restrictions, we do not offer any make-ups for missed classes. Your child is ONLY allowed to attend the class you have registered for.
Your child’s recurring membership starts the day you register for the academy league and begins the next upcoming academy session. You do not need to re-register after your initial registration. Your membership is on an auto-debit system that recurs every month and enrolls you into your class every week.
To change or stop your membership, please email us your cancellation request at least 72 hours before your next billing date with your child’s name, grade, and academy class they are registered in.
Volleyball Camps
SoCal Elite’s seasonal youth volleyball camps are a great opportunity for players of all skill levels to learn the game of volleyball. This co-ed program will teach different aspects of the game that focus on passing, setting, hitting, and serving. Our volleyball coaching staff will be utilizing structured conditioning and fun drills to help develop each camper.
Players are recommended to bring their own water/refreshments and wear comfortable athletic apparel (athletic shorts, rubber-soled closed toed shoes and short sleeves – no jeans or sandals). Knee-pads and passing sleeves are optional.
Each of our coaches will be assigned a small group of campers according to grade and skill level to provide the best experience. Our camps will often start with our campers being walked through a dynamic warm-up to prepare their bodies for physical activity. For the remainder of the camp, campers will be put through different ball control exercises and game-like drills that focus on skill development. Each camper will be offered numerous opportunities to apply what they are learning that focus around repetition and play.
