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Welcome to the December 4, 2009; edition of the MYAS Update
In this Issue
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MYAS Update Info
Our newsletter is designed to provide timely youth sports information to coaches, athletes, parents and administrators. It includes notes from the Executive Director, calendar reminders, new service announcements and special events information. Contributions from sponsors assist us in delivering high quality youth sports services at the lowest possible cost and partially fund this newsletter, and certain sponsors will be featured.
Dan's Notes - from Executive Director Dan Klinkhammer
HOW SUPER SAVERS WERE BORN
They say that necessity is the mother of invention. Based on how our Super Saver tournaments came into existence, I'd have to agree with whoever coined that phrase. The concept of the weekend Super Saver was hatched on my way home from work one sunny summer afternoon about 10 years ago. Read on.
I received a phone call from a good friend, who wanted to know if I could go golfing that weekend. Years before, he had moved from Minnesota to Iowa about the same time I moved from Winona to the Twin Cities. Whenever he would get to the Cities we'd try to get together for a round of golf. It was a Friday afternoon and I was heading home a little early because I had to take my eldest son to a baseball tournament in Elk River.
That particular year, both of my sons were playing traveling baseball and besides the practices and league games during the week, there was a tournament scheduled for almost every weekend of the summer. I love baseball and I love my kids, but the constant running here and there does wear on a person after awhile. Parents give up a lot when their kids get into traveling sports. In fact, with two kids playing traveling baseball at the same time, there wasn't much time for me or my wife to have any time for the things that we liked to do. With two kids in traveling baseball, my wife would grab one and head for wherever he was scheduled to play and I'd grab the other and head off in whatever direction he was playing. We'd grab a bite to eat wherever we could and circle the wagons at home every night, just to get up in the morning and repeat the whole routine.
Anyway, when I got the call, I told my buddy that I couldn't commit to playing anytime that weekend because I didn't know my son's game schedule for the rest of the weekend. All I knew was the date, time and field of his first game. Back in those days, most of the invitational baseball tournaments were bracket type tournaments and you never knew when or where your next game was going to be until after you played your first game. Likewise, you never knew when or where your third game would be played until you won or lost your second game. Basically, all we knew going into each weekend was that we had to assume the kids could possibly play in as many as five or six games and they may be playing into the late afternoon on Sunday. As a result, the entire weekend was shot for making any plans for other activities.
When I got off the phone I was feeling very sorry for myself. Here I was, turning down an opportunity to play golf with an old friend, with the entire weekend being registered as a big question mark. As I was driving down the road, I was thinking to myself that somebody should create a one-day tournament so that parents could at least claim part of the weekend for some other activity or purpose. And then it dawned on me: "Hey, I'm in that business. Let's give it a shot!"
So that Sunday afternoon, after both kids' teams were eliminated from their respective tournaments, I went home, grabbed a pencil and a tablet and strolled out to my garage to start penciling down ideas on how to create and run a one-day baseball or basketball tournament. The only audience I had was Shadow, our black lab. She was a very good partner in the creation of my "Weekend Super Saver" concept because she just sat there and listened when I asked her questions about the new formula that would be required to make this one-day tournament become a reality. There were lots of variables that had to be considered. I needed to figure out the timing factors, team rotation, officials' pay scale, court or field rotation, bracket and/or pool size, appropriate awards, entry fees, advertising for this new concept, host responsibilities, etc. It was a daunting task, and not knowing
how the basketball and baseball public would accept this new "mini tournament" concept was at the center of my own uncertainty. So I decided to ask for some feedback (from someone other than Shadow).
About a month after my weekend Super Saver brainstorm, I took the concept to our MYAS Basketball Advisory Committee. Half of them liked the concept and the other half said it would never fly. That first year, we offered four Super Saver Basketball Tournaments. Two of them were held and the other two had to be cancelled for lack of team entries. Frankly, I was pretty disappointed that we were only able to get two of those events off the ground. I really thought this was a great idea and I couldn't understand why everyone didn't jump on the bandwagon from the get-go.
So I went to the very first Super Saver that was held on a Saturday at Roosevelt Middle School in Blaine. After the first pool finished up, we took them into the cafeteria to present the first and second place awards. The first group of teams had started at 8:00am and they were finished by 2:00pm. They had all played three competitive games in a mere six hours and had the rest of the day and all day Sunday to do whatever they wanted. Prior to distributing the awards, I gathered everyone around me and asked the kids how they liked playing in this inaugural Super Saver. They ALL
said that they had fun and like the "play one, sit one, play one, sit one, play one" formula. I then asked the parents what they thought of the Super Saver concept. Without hesitation, one of the moms in the crowd walked up to me, laid a big wet kiss on my cheek and said, "There's my answer. I'm going to church later this afternoon and I'm going Christmas shopping tomorrow instead of sitting in a gym all day!" With that said, all of the parents told me they really liked these half-day tournaments and wanted to see more. (Although after the kiss on the cheek, I really didn't need to hear from anyone else - I had already made up my mind that we were going to run more Super Savers!)
To make a long story short, we are running a total of 16 weekend Super Saver Basketball Tournaments during the 2009-10 winter season and we have now sprinkled the Super Saver format into our basketball tournament offerings for next spring. We fully realize that the typical two- or three-day weekend tournament will never be replaced by Super Savers, but they sure do provide a great alternative when your family has other things they'd like to do. The kids still get to play and so do Mom and Dad! How can that not be a good thing?
The Super Saver concept works great for basketball year round. For baseball, it works best as early season "spring training" sessions where you get to play a lot of baseball in a short period of time against real opponents. Super Savers are great for getting all of your kids a good amount of playing time and they work terrific for the host organization's concession sales. With the play one, sit one, play one, sit one, play one format, nobody has time to leave the facility to run to the nearest fast food joint. And officials like the format because all of their games run for one hour on the hour and the action is more consistent than in a regular game.
Yes, the advantages of Super Savers are many but for me, all I needed was a five-hour window on the weekend to shoot a round of golf. After all, aren't we parents entitled to a little time for ourselves?
For more information about our MYAS Super Savers, please visit the Basketball page of the MYAS website.
Borton's Bench Notes
I have been thinking about what to write for my column this month for the past several days. As we are in the heat of the battle at the beginning of our season, the topic that continues to cross my mind is to say focused on the "Big Picture." We are in the heat of the battle of beginning our basketball season but this topic is current no matter the time of year, no matter the sport.
As role models for our youth, we need to focus on keeping the "Big Picture" in perspective. There are lifelong lessons that can be learned through sports, both good and bad. It's our job as coaches, parents, officials and even volunteers to aim our efforts at reinforcing the positive lessons, while also explaining how bad decisions or difficult situations can have negative implications on so many levels.
The "Big Picture" looks far beyond the winning-at-all-cost perception. In trying to keep everyone happy, trying to answer to parents and keep them happy, we need to remind ourselves that at the very core of youth sports is the element of simply playing and having fun. Are the youth enjoying a quality experience as a result of participating in our programs? We should ask these questions: Are they learning the game, how to work hard, how to be a team player, how to handle disappointment and how to get along?
We all need to take a step back sometimes and look at the "Big Picture" to see that this is not about us. This is about the kids. Outside pressures coming from so many directions, including parents and friends, will test our resolve as role models. The "Big Picture" can keep us grounded. The "Big Picture" can keep us on the correct path. In the best moments and the most challenging of times, remember to keep the "Big Picture" in focus.
Stay the course and enjoy the journey!
Sports Medicine Tip
Nutrition for Peak Athletic Performance
by Registered Dietitian, Janelle Melgeorge Anderson, M.Ed, R.D., L.D.
Fairview Southdale Hospital, Edina, MN
Food is fuel to the body and plays an important role in preparing for participation in athletic events. Here are some nutrition tips to achieve peak performance whatever your sport.
Do I really need to eat breakfast?
Yes. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and helps to increase metabolism, improves concentration, controls blood sugar and reduces irritability. If you are not a breakfast eater, make a commitment to eat breakfast for two weeks. If you are starving by 10:00am, eat a larger breakfast. Aim for 400-500 calories to sustain you until lunchtime.
Can I just eat a sports bar for lunch?
No. Sports bars are not adequate for a lunch meal which should include at least three to four food groups, preferably consisting of protein, fruit/vegetable, dairy and grains. Sports bars do not contain phytochemicals which are powerhouse nutrients found in fruit and vegetables. They also don't provide enough calories to sustain the body until the next meal. If you enjoy an occasional sports bar, do so as a convenient snack for quick carbohydrates to enhance a mid-afternoon practice.
What should I eat before a tournament?
Experiment to see what foods work best for you. A consistent carbohydrate diet is important to fuel and refuel muscles to perform your best. Limit high fat proteins as fat delays gastric emptying. Limit high sugar foods such as pop and juice as they can cause blood glucose levels to drop later, causing you to be tired or light-headed.
What is the best time to eat a meal before an event?
For an event with a morning start, eat a high carbohydrate meal the night before, and about 1.5-3 hours before the event eat a 200-400 calorie breakfast such as yogurt and a banana, a bowl of oatmeal with a banana or a sports bar. Eat foods that you are familiar with to avoid stomach upset.
For an afternoon event, eat a larger breakfast and light lunch or a caloric brunch by noon. If you have a larger meal, allow at least four hours for digestion.
What should I eat to refuel after a game or practice?
Replenish muscle energy stores with high carbohydrate-rich foods within 30 minutes after a practice or game and again within two hours. To stay fueled, choose from the following power-packed snacks:
- Chocolate milk
- Peanut butter and jelly or banana or sliced strawberry sandwich on whole grain bread
- Trail mix (nuts, dried fruit, cereal)
- Cereal or low fat granola with fruit and yogurt
- Banana bread with skim or 1% milk
- Low fat muffin with juice
- Frozen juice bar
- Fresh or dried fruit
- Cheese and/or whole grain crackers
- Slice of pizza (with less cheese)
- Granola bar
- Nuts (almonds or walnuts)
- Meal-replacement drink
- Fruit smoothie made with yogurt or juice
About the author
Janelle Melgeorge Anderson, M.Ed, R.D., L.D., is a registered and licensed dietitian at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, MN. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Dietetics from the College of Saint Benedict and a Master's degree from the University of Minnesota, and has completed a certificate of training in Adult Weight Management from the American Dietetic Association. She is a member of the American Dietetic Association Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists and the Minnesota Dietetic Association. She is a frequent presenter and has provided numerous television and radio interviews. Janelle has special interest in exercise and is a certified level 1 track and field coach and writes for a running magazine. She has completed 12 marathons and one ultra marathon. Appointments can be scheduled with a physician referral by calling 612-672-6700.
Then And Now - by Larry Gallagher
Coach John Wooden's Pyramid of Success
I would like to introduce you to Coach John Wooden's Pyramid of Success. I believe that for all players, coaches, administrators and officials to be successful we need to develop qualities that will lead us to success. For those that don't remember or never heard of John Wooden, he is a legendary basketball coach who spent the majority of his career at UCLA. His teams won more national championships than anyone before or since. Wooden turned 99 years old this year. That in itself speaks of someone who has not only lived, but lived well. His greatest achievement is in the players that he coached (or "taught" according to John himself).
Wooden coached at the high school level and at Indiana State University early in his career. He was going to accept a coaching job at the University of Minnesota, but when a snowstorm knocked out the telephone lines between his home and Minneapolis, he did not receive the call from Minnesota at 6:00pm as promised. When UCLA (his second choice) called at about 6:15 that evening, he took the job in California and the rest is history.
I would like to put you all in touch with a great website: www.coachwooden.com. I hope you all peruse what he and others have posted. In my humble opinion, the greatest part of the website is something Coach Wooden put together and has refined over the years - the Pyramid of Success. Wooden has tried to teach using the pyramid throughout his entire career. He does not really consider himself a coach, but rather a teacher. (He even wrote a book entitled, "They Call Me Coach.")
The Pyramid of Success, like all pyramids, starts with a strong base and continues to rise to the peak - where Wooden places success as the crowning achievement. He mentions along the way that the wins are not the goal, but just byproducts of success. He said the first 15 years at UCLA when his teams didn't win a national championship were no less successful than the next years when they won so many NCAA titles. He says that he didn't teach or coach any differently, except that he learned and expanded his knowledge about how to coach during those first 15 years, which helped produce more wins in the years that followed.
The base of the pyramid begins in the lower left with the word Industriousness which, according to Coach Wooden, is simply defined as working hard. "There is no substitute for work. None. Worthwhile things come from real work."
The right side of the pyramid's base has the word Enthusiasm. Coach Wooden says, "You must love what you do. Your heart must be in it. Without enthusiasm, you cannot work up to your fullest ability and potential; you're just going through the motions. And just going through the motions won't bring you to the level of competitive greatness we seek whether in basketball, business, or life."
Friendship, Loyalty and Cooperation are the remaining three part of the pyramid's foundation. I will let you go to the website to discover what Wooden says about them. We now have five key concepts to build the pyramid from its foundation to its peak.
The second level includes the following terms to understand: Self-Control, Alertness, Initiative and Intentness. I will discuss just two of them here.
Self-control is defined by Coach Wooden simply by reversing the words and saying control of self. He says it is essential for discipline and controlling emotions. A player, coach or official cannot perform effectively if their emotions are not under their own control. Careless mistakes often occur when uncontrolled emotions are rampant. Bad judgments occur whenever we allow our emotions to affect our behavior.
Intentness can be described using synonyms such as perseverance, determination, persistence or tenacity. Wooden says intentness is "the ability to resist temptation and stay the course, to concentrate on your objective with determination and resolve. Impatience is wanting too much too soon. Intentness doesn't involve wanting something. It involves doing something often for a very long time."
The third level of the pyramid includes Condition, Skill and Team Spirit. Let's look at all three of these. To Coach Wooden, condition includes physical, mental and moral. All three must be present before they can affect you in a positive way. I will leave it at that and hope you read more of his assessment.
Skill is knowing what to do and being able to execute it quickly and properly. Wooden mentions in his thoughts on skill that experience is important, but he also says that if the experienced player, attorney or ditch digger doesn't have skill with the experience, it really doesn't matter. The result will always be bad play, bad law or no ditches being dug.
Team Spirit is on the center level of the pyramid for a very good reason. Without team spirit, almost all will be lost and success cannot be achieved. It is what pulls everything together from above and below on the pyramid. Coach Wooden says he initially defined team spirit as "a willingness to sacrifice personal interest or glory for the welfare of all." But he goes on to say that the word "willingness" in his definition bothered him; it was "not quite right." I'll let you look at the website to read more of what he has to say.
Level four of the pyramid gives us the terms Poise and Confidence. Coach defines poise as "being true to oneself, not getting rattled, thrown off, unbalanced regardless of the circumstances or situation." Again, check the website for more details on this term. Confidence is defined by Wooden as "self-belief: the knowledge that your preparation is complete, that you have done all things possible to ready yourself and your organization for the competition whatever form it comes in."
This brings us to the peak of the pyramid, Competitive Greatness, which Coach describes as "A real love for the hard battle, knowing it offers the opportunity to be at your best when your best is required."
So there you have John Wooden's Pyramid of Success. Success is defined by Coach as "peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction knowing you made the effort to become the best that you are capable of becoming."
Now I suggest that all of you, as a player, coach, administrator or official, put forth the effort this season to become a successful person first and then a successful coach, player, administrator or official.
Velocity Sports Performance - Champlin
Athletes Want Results
Competitive athletes invest a lot of time in training. Training that they hope will result in athletic improvements. Wouldn't it be nice if you were guaranteed measurable improvements in your athletic skills? Velocity Sports Performance offers this guarantee - train with our performance coaches and you will see improvement in your athletic performance whether it is your speed, power or agility. It is every certified performance coach's goal at VSP to make you a better athlete. We help you achieve your goals by providing immediate feedback, using different tools to help you perfect your mechanics.
Performance coaches at VSP teach specific mechanics and cuing to improve your overall athleticism. The cuing helps athletes identify with specific body mechanics in the drill and allows you to think the drill through as you're performing it. This enables you to get a better feel for the drill versus observing how it is done. With our semi-private classes, our performance coaches are able to provide individualized and immediate feedback. This leads to further and, in most cases, immediate improvement.
State of the art equipment is used to challenge each individual athlete. Dart Fish Video Analysis can provide instant visual feedback of an athlete's specific movements. We also use it to show progressive improvements in body mechanics. Other equipment available during training includes: bungees, sleds, weight vests, parachutes and bullet belts to name a few. All of these provide a different resistance or assistance to each exercise. This daily variation adds to the muscle memory of each skill while improving strength as well.
In order to achieve desired results, athletes need to commit to a training plan. Frequent and repetitive training facilitates the muscle memory development which is needed to see ongoing improvements in athleticism. By attending classes three to four times a week you can achieve muscle memory development. Continued practice makes each movement permanent to the point where you can perform it without thinking. Have you ever heard the phrase "practice makes perfect?" If you're practicing something but aren't getting the appropriate feedback on what to improve, in reality you won't perfect that movement. It could instead hinder your progress. Providing the immediate feedback is what makes VSP stand out. It is also important that you give your all in every training session you attend. Just going through the motions will not make you a stronger, faster, more explosive athlete. Your
results depend upon the commitment you have to training with frequency and intensity. The performance coaches can only give you the guidance and tips to succeed.
Measuring your improvement is critical to staying motivated to training. One testing tool which has proven to be a good indicator of athleticism is the SPARQ test. In this test, we look at lower and upper body power, speed, agility and endurance. These aspects are tested through a vertical jump, med ball power toss, 40-yard dash, pro agility and the yoyo intermittent recover test. We perform a pretest when you begin your training and a post test after about three months. Athletes who have committed to a regular training schedule and have trained with intensity will see measurable improvements in their SPARQ test scores. This in turn should see itself played out on the court, turf or field.
If you see yourself as a competitive athlete and want to take your game to the next level, consider non-skill specific movement training. Improving your athleticism will make you a better athlete in any sport. The Performance Coaches at Velocity are anxious and ready to help you take your game to the next level. The season begins today - no matter what your sport.
It's time to get trained - get coached - get results! MYAS athletes receive a free trial session, 25% off Nike SPARQ testing and 10% off individual training packages. Don't forget to mention the MYAS when you register! For more information and to set up your FREE trial session, call 763.390.6622 or visit www.velocitysp.com/champlin.
This article was written by Angie Rohne, Performance Coach, BA Exercise Science (angie.rohne@velocitysp.com).
Gopher Women's Basketball Big Ten Home Opener!
DECEMBER SPECIAL!
The Big Ten home opener is on Sunday, December 6 at 3:00pm when the Gophers take on the Penn State Nittany Lions.
We are partnering with MomsLikeMe.com at the game and taking toy donations to benefit Toys for Tots and St. Joseph's Home for Children. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or make a monetary donation and receive a raffle ticket! You can win great Gopher prizes!
Our holiday gift to you - bench tickets are just $5 and chair-back seats are just $12 for this game! Take advantage of this holiday deal by logging on to www.gophersports.com or by calling 1-800-U-GOPHER. Please use the code "MYAS" when ordering chair-back tickets online or over the phone.
Midwest Regional Swim Meet
The 2010 Midwest Regional Swim Meet will take place on March 27-28 at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. Last year 1,384 athletes representing nine states competed and we expect the competition will only get tougher.
Registration for the 2010 meet is now open! We are very excited about the buzz surrounding this meet and fully expect to reach our capacity of 1,200 athletes prior to the entry deadline on February 22, 2010.
All registration information, including the event list, qualifying times and hotel information can be found on the Midwest Regional Swim Meet web page. You may also contact Jessica Christopherson at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org.
Don't miss out on your opportunity to compete against the best in the Midwest!
Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championships
The 2009 Gopher State Volleyball Fall Championships were held on November 8 at Burnsville High School. Fifteen teams competed across two divisions in this one-day event. Congratulations to all the participating teams!
6th/7th Grade Division
1st Place - Shakopee
2nd Place - St. Michaels
3rd Place - Rosemount
4th Place - St. Joe's Catholic School
8th/9th Grade Division
1st Place - Mason City Mohawks Red
2nd Place - AV-E Fusion Spikerz
3rd Place - Blue Earth Bucs 9
4th Place - Cambridge
Please visit the Gopher State Volleyball web page for information about upcoming events. You may also contact Jessica Christopherson at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org.
Gopher State Wrestling
The entry packet for the 2010 MYAS Gopher State Wrestling Championships is posted!
The MYAS Gopher State Wrestling Championship has earned the reputation of being the toughest and best run tournament in Minnesota. In 2009 we had 900 registered wrestlers. The tournament has drawn wrestlers from Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan and California. Wrestlers from all states are eligible to participate in all Gopher State wrestling events.
The 2010 Gopher State Championship is scheduled for February 13-14. The tournament will once again be held at Monticello High School, which is quite possibly the best wrestling facility in the state.
The Gopher State Wrestling program has seen tremendous growth since its inception in 2002. We thank you for your participation and look forward to another great season. To access more information, please click on the appropriate link below. You may also contact Jeremy Innes at 763-746-1720 or jeremy@myas.org.
Gopher State Wrestling Championships
Gopher State K-6 Team Tournament
Youth Day with the Gophers
Gopher State Twin Cities Football Championship
The 2009 Twin Cities Football Championship was an adventure from start to finish. The tournament started out at the Blaine Baseball Complex on November 1. However, due to the amount of rain the metro area had received over the past week, the field was in rough condition and the final two play dates had to be relocated. With the help of Al Johnson, the Hopkins 8th grade coach, we were able to hold the final two dates on the Hopkins High School varsity field.
This year's championship featured two 7th grade teams (Farview and Eden Prairie) and three 8th grade teams (Eden Prairie, Hopkins and Titans). The original schedule had all teams competing in a five-team bracket. However, after the first play date it was apparent that the 7th grade teams would have an extremely hard time matching up with the 8th grade teams.
The 7th grade schedule was modified so that the two teams would play each other in a best two out of three format. Farview won the first contest by two but Eden Prairie bounced back with a convincing win in the next match-up. The stage was set for game three on Thursday, November 5. The game went back and forth all night, but in the end Farview prevailed 12-6 to win the title.
The 8th grade schedule was a modified round robin format. When all was said and done, Eden Prairie took home the title by going 2-0 against Hopkins and the Titans without allowing a point in either contest.
The event truly was exciting and adventurous from the first kick-off to the last horn. We hope to see you next year as we look to expand the Twin Cities Football Championship!
Football Rules of the Month
In our ongoing education mission, we would like to highlight three basic high school football rules. The answers appear later in the newsletter (see "In this Issue" for the link).
1. At the snap, Player K1 is in position to kick and Player K2 is in position to hold for a place kick with one knee on the ground. The snap is high or bounces once and it is necessary for K2 to lift his knee off the ground in order to catch or recover the ball. K2 catches the snap and: (a) immediately drops to one knee and places the ball for a kick; (b) immediately drops to his knees and then rises and passes the ball; (c) takes several steps and then drops to his knees to place the ball; or (d)
takes several steps and fumbles the ball which is subsequently recovered and advanced by K1 or K2. What is the ruling in each case?
2. During a try, Player K1's kick hits lineman K2, who is behind the neutral zone, and caroms between the uprights and above the crossbar. What is the ruling?
3. With fourth down and goal on Team B's 4-yard line, Player A1 is hit and fumbles. As the ball rolls into the end zone an inadvertent whistle is sounded. The fumble occurs: (a) at the 5-yard line; or (b) at the 3-yard line. What is the ruling in each case?
MYAS Day with the Gopher Women's Basketball Team
Join us on January 24, 2010, in cheering on the University of Minnesota women's basketball team as they take on the Michigan State Spartans! There will be a special event exclusively for MYAS guests in the Williams Arena Club Room following the game. Coach Pam Borton and several of the Gopher women's basketball players will join us for autographs and pictures!
The MYAS would also like to recognize the STMA 4th grade girls' basketball team, coached by Tony Mosley, and the Maple Grove 4th grade girls' basketball team, coached by Dave Moline. These two teams will square off in a mini-game during halftime of the Gophers/Spartans game. Be there to help us cheer them on!
For ticket information, please click here to access the MYAS Day with the Gophers flyer. You may also contact Jessica Christopherson at 763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org.
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournaments
There are still openings available in the Super Saver Basketball Tournament scheduled for December 19 at Bethel University. The registration deadline for this tournament is Monday, December 7.
There are plenty of other Super Saver Tournaments scheduled this winter. The tournaments are offered on Saturdays and Sundays through early March for boys' and girls' teams in grades 4-12. Super Savers provide teams with three games in just one day! You will save money on gas and admission fees since you only have to travel to the tournament site once. The schedule is very easy and convenient.
Please click here to access the MYAS Winter Basketball web page where you can find more Super Saver information and the tournament registration form.
MYAS Gopher State Winter Basketball Tournaments
Don't miss your opportunity to play in the MYAS Gopher State Invitational Basketball Tournament on January 2-3 at Armstrong. The registration deadline for the tournament is Monday, December 16.
Gopher State Invitationals are two-day events scheduled to bring you more basketball and more games. The goal of these tournaments is to feature bigger brackets and a wider variety of teams.
If you enjoy our MYAS Gopher State Invitational Tournaments in the spring, you will certainly like these winter invitational tournaments! Please click here to access more information on our winter basketball tournaments.
MYAS Gopher State Winter Basketball League
Did you miss the deadline for the 2009-10 Gopher State Winter Basketball League? The MYAS basketball staff can still get your team in to start play after the holidays. In fact, we can accommodate any team wishing to join - even if they cannot play on all of the league dates.
Boys' teams should contact Kevin Wilson (763-746-1712 or kevin@myas.org) and girls' teams should contact Jessica Christopherson (763-746-1733 or jessica@myas.org).
For league details and other information, please visit the Gopher State Winter Basketball League web page.
Boys & Girls Needed for Winter Basketball Teams!
Did you get cut and still want a traveling basketball experience? Contact Minnesota Developmental Basketball (MDB).
For more information, please contact Alison at 952-346-8866 or mdbball@qwest.net. You may also visit the MDB website at www.mdbball.com.
MYAS Grade State Basketball Championships
The MYAS is looking forward to the 2010 Grade State Basketball Championships, and we hope that you will be able to participate in our version of March Madness. The 2010 event will take place on March 6-7 (girls) and March 13-14 (boys).
All of the tournament information is now available on the Grade State page of the MYAS website. If you have questions about the Grade State Championships, please contact Eric Rathke at 763-746-1730 or eric@myas.org.
We hope to see you next spring for March Madness - Minnesota Style!
Note to Coaches: Once your team is determined, please go to the Coaches Control Center on the MYAS website and enter your online roster. Once your roster is completed you will be able to determine which players will need grade verification. By finishing this step early, you will save yourself a lot of time and unnecessary paperwork.
MYAS Rec State Basketball Championship
Mark your calendars now for the 2010 MYAS Rec State Basketball Championship! The tournament will be held on March 20-21, 2010 at various locations in the metro area. The registration deadline is Friday, February 26.
The Rec State Championship is the premier state tournament for in-house and park & recreation teams. The tournament is held for boys' and girls' teams in grades 4-12 and features Division I (highest), II and III levels of play to accommodate all team skill levels.
Don't miss out on the opportunity for your team to play in a big tournament with a championship environment! Registration materials are available on the Rec State Basketball portion of the MYAS website. If you have questions, please contact Kevin Wilson at 763-746-1712 or kevin@myas.org. GO REC STATE!
Gopher State Spring Basketball
Winter basketball is upon us and we wish all the players and coaches a successful season. The 2010 Gopher State Spring Basketball season is not far away and we are working hard on some exciting additions to our spring tournament offerings.
In 2010, we will be co-hosting several "Elite" level tournaments with a few of our larger spring clubs. The Midwest Elite Shootout will be held on April 16-18 in St. Cloud and will be co-hosted by the MN Comets. The Midwest Elite Challenge will be co-hosted by the MN Magic in Bloomington on May 14-16. The Midwest Border Battle will be held on June 18-20 and co-hosted by 43 Hoops. We are excited to partner with these clubs to bring in great competition from around the country.
Our final "Elite" event for 2010 will be the 10th Annual Gopher State Prep Showcase on July 17-19. This event will once again be held at Lakeville South High School. We are excited to announce that we have two teams from Australia coming to compete in the Prep Showcase next summer. Don't miss your chance to watch and compete against our new friends from Down Under!
If your organization is holding tryouts for your spring season and your teams will be playing with us, please contact us and we will advertise your tryouts on our website.
New to Gopher State Spring Basketball? Come to one of our free informational spring basketball meetings to find out everything you need to know regarding the Gopher State spring season. Meeting dates and locations will be posted on the spring basketball portion of our website once they are finalized.
Fundraising opportunities: We still have a couple of openings on our spring calendar. If you are interested in hosting a Gopher State spring basketball tournament, please contact Rich Penick at 763-746-1724 or rich@myas.org for more information.
If you want to play great competition and different opponents each weekend, be assured that trainers and tournament directors will be on site to oversee the games, and if you don't want to pay outrageous membership fees, then Gopher State is the place for you. The first weekend of play is March 27-28, 2010. Quality events are what we strive for - don't be fooled by imitations!
Basketball Rules of the Month
In our ongoing education mission, we would like to highlight three basic high school basketball playing rules. The answers appear later in the newsletter (see "In this Issue" for the link).
1. Player A1, out of bounds for a designated spot throw-in: (a) muffs the pass from the official and it rolls forward; or (b) after receiving the ball from the official, fumbles the ball and leaves the designated spot to retrieve the fumble. What is the ruling in each case?
2. Player A1 dribbles the ball on the floor on the out-of-bounds area before making a throw-in. What is the ruling?
3. Thrower A1 inadvertently steps onto the court inbounds. A1 immediately steps back into the normal out-of-bounds throw-in position. The contact with the court was during a situation: (a) with; or (b) without defensive pressure on the throw-in team. What is the ruling in each case?
Gopher State Winter Baseball Camps
Gopher State Winter Baseball Camp dates for 2009-10 are now posted on the Winter Camp section of the MYAS website. We are looking forward to a terrific season of training with the Minnesota Baseball Academy and the Lovdahl Pitching Academy. Hitting, fielding and pitching camps will be held in Rogers, Roseville and River Falls, WI.
The MYAS will also be teaming up with the Minnesota Twins Training Camps to offer three camp dates and a Twins Training Academy that will be held in Blaine at the National Sports Center. The Academy will run each month (either 6 or 8 sessions) from November through March. Click on the applicable links above for more information.
We are looking forward to our MYAS / Twins Holiday Training Camp on December 28-29 at the National Sports Center. Take a look at the Winter Camp web page for more details and registration forms. In the meantime, if you have questions please contact Jeremy Barbe at 763-746-1731 or jbarbe@myas.org.
MYAS Baseball Informational Meeting in St. Cloud Area
The MYAS baseball staff will hold an informational meeting in the St. Cloud area regarding the Gopher State baseball programs. All central Minnesota communities that are interested in exploring options for their youth baseball programs are invited to attend. The meeting will be held on January 10, 2010 at 6:00pm at the Ultimate Sports Bar and Grill in Waite Park (click here for map).
We would like to extend an invitation to anyone in and around the St. Cloud area who is looking for a more competitive brand of baseball for the youth in their community.
For more information, do not hesitate to contact Dawson Blanck of the MYAS at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org, or feel free to call Tom Frericks of the St. Cloud Baseball Association at 320-293-2351.
MYAS Baseball Staff to Set Up Informational Meetings
We are currently setting up MYAS/Gopher State Baseball informational meetings for associations that would like to hear additional reasons why they should participate in the MYAS comprehensive baseball program. If you would like to schedule an informational meeting between the MYAS/Gopher State baseball staff and your baseball association board of directors, please contact Dawson Blanck at 763-746-1719 or dawson@myas.org.
Minnesota USSSA Baseball
The MYAS is proud to announce the 2010 Minnesota USSSA Baseball schedule. We had another fantastic year in 2009 with more than 1,000 registered teams. We look forward to the 2010 USSSA State Tournaments that combine great teams, venues and host organizations to offer an outstanding tournament experience for everyone involved. This is a tremendous event to participate in whether you intend to advance to a USSSA World Series or whether your intent is to earn a berth to the Gopher State Tournament of Champions in July.
Register early to secure your spot in this premier event. Applications are available on the USSSA State Baseball Tournament page of the MYAS website.
10AAA USSSA State Tournament * date & site TBD
10AA USSSA State Tournament * June 11-13 * Andover, MN
10A USSSA State Tournament * date & site TBD
11AAA USSSA State Tournament * date & site TBD
11AA USSSA State Tournament * June 11-13 * Andover, MN
11A USSSA State Tournament * June 11-13 * Andover, MN
12AAA USSSA State Tournament * June 11-13 * Brooklyn Park, MN
12AA USSSA State Tournament * June 11-13 * Brooklyn Park, MN
12A USSSA State Tournament * June 18-20 * Mendota Heights, MN
13AAA USSSA State Tournament * June 25-27 * Mahtomedi, MN
13AA USSSA State Tournament * June 11-13 * Mendota Heights, MN
13A USSSA State Tournament * June 18-20 * Mendota Heights, MN
14AAA USSSA State Tournament * June 25-27 * Elk River, MN
14AA USSSA State Tournament * June 4-6 * Coon Rapids, MN
15AAA USSSA State Tournament * June 25-27 * Blaine, MN
15AA USSSA State Tournament * June 4-6 * Champlin, MN
14/15A USSSA State Tournament * June 25-27 * Robbinsdale/Plymouth, MN
16U Open USSSA State Tournament * June 25-27 * Fridley, MN
17/19U Open USSSA State Tournament * date & site TBD
Keep checking the USSSA Baseball State Tournament web page for updates to this schedule or for more information on USSSA baseball in Minnesota.
2010 Youth Baseball Tournaments
Attention all Youth Baseball Tournament Directors:
If you have not done so already, you may now add your 2010 tournaments to the MYAS Youth Baseball Tournament Listings (some directors already have).
An email was sent a few weeks ago explaining the qualifier process and the qualifier fee structure for the GSTC in 2010. If you are a baseball tournament director and did not receive the email, please send your contact information to tony@myas.org and we will add you to our distribution list.
MYAS Latest News (as of 12/3/09)
Winter Basketball League Secondary Deadline - we can still get you in!
Did you get cut and still want a traveling basketball experience? Contact the MDB.
Donate a Toy - Save big at the Water Park of America!
2010 Rec State Basketball Championships
Baseball Winter Camp Dates Are Set!
Basketball Tournament Openings
MYAS Day with the Gopher Women's Basketball Team
MYAS Winter Basketball Events
Are you looking for a basketball team to play on?
Insurance - USSSA Basketball
MYAS Calendar (as of 12/3/09)
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Gopher State Winter Basketball League play date
Saturday-Sunday, December 5-6, 2009
Gopher State / St. Paul Central Invitational Basketball Tournament
Monday, December 7, 2009
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournament entry deadline (Dec. 19 event)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournament - Armstrong
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Gopher State / Armstrong Invitational Basketball Tournament entry deadline (Jan. 2-3 event)
Friday, December 18, 2009
Gopher State Winter Basketball League secondary deadline (play dates Jan. 9 & after)
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Gopher State Winter Basketball League play date
Saturday, December 19, 2009
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournament - Bethel University
Monday, December 28, 2009
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournament entry deadline (Jan. 9 & 10 events)
Monday-Tuesday, December 28-29, 2009
MYAS / Twins Holiday Baseball Training Camp
Saturday-Sunday, January 2-3, 2010
Gopher State / Armstrong Invitational Basketball Tournament
Monday, January 4, 2010
MYAS Super Saver Basketball Tournament entry deadline (Jan. 16 & 17 events)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
MYAS Basketball Officials' Video Clinic - Columbia Heights
Answers to Football Rules of the Month
The answers below are derived from the National Federation of State High School Associations Football Rules Book and/or Football Case Book.
1. The ball remains live in (a), (b) and (d). In (c), the ball is dead when Player K2's knee touches the ground, because he did not go back down immediately after catching or recovering the errant snap. In (d), the advance by K1 or K2 is legal (Case Book 4.2.2 Situation C page 31).
2. The try is successful. Touching a kick is ignored if the touching is in the neutral zone expanded, or on Team K's side of it. It is important to remember the neutral zone does not expand into the end zone. If the same touching occurs beyond the plane of the goal line, the ball becomes dead and the try is ended (Case Book 4.2.2 Situation I page 32).
3. In both cases, Team A will have a choice of taking the play at the spot of the fumble or replaying the down. If Team A takes the play, it is Team B's ball at the 5-yard line in (a), or at the 3-yard line in (b) (Case Book 4.2.3 Situation C page 33).
Answers to Basketball Rules of the Month
The answers below are derived from the National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Rule Book, Basketball Case Book and/or Rules by Topic publication.
1. In (a), the official should sound the whistle to prevent any violation and then start the throw-in procedure again. No throw-in violation should be called in this situation. In (b), a throw-in violation shall be called on Player A1 for leaving the designated spot (Case Book 9.2.1 Situation B page 70).
2. This is legal. A player may bounce the ball on the out-of-bounds area prior to making a throw-in (Case Book 9.2.2 Situation D page 71).
3. It is a violation in both (a) and (b). Comment: Whether or not there was defensive pressure or whether or not stepping on the court was inadvertent, it is a violation and no judgment is required in making the call (Case Book 9.2.5 Situation page 71).
If you have questions about these or other basketball playing rules, please contact Buddy Hemric at 763-746-1717 or buddy@myas.org.
Important Association Services That Work!
The Minnesota Youth Athletic Services offers three important services:
1. Association and Player Sports Accident Insurance Coverage
Association liability and player accident insurance are always concerns for youth sports organizations in our increasingly litigious society. Some associations spend a lot of money and others go into denial and “run naked” without even minimal liability coverage for their members. Yet if insurance is not obtained, the personal assets of the individuals running the association may be at risk. Many sports facility managers, especially municipalities and schools, will not permit the use of their property or facilities unless it can be demonstrated that youth sports associations are covered under an insurance policy. Without insurance, the opportunity for young athletes to compete in organized sports programs may be substantially limited.
The MYAS has partnered with J.A. Price Agency, an insurance company which has access to dozens of other insurance companies and can handle any type of business or personal insurance needs that your association/board of directors may require. The insurance provides options for all types of needs within your association/community. This coverage is an advantage no amateur sports organization should be without!
Examples of coverage include but are not limited to:
- General Liability
- Sexual Misconduct
- Participant Accident
- Directors & Officers Liability
- Crime/Embezzlement
- Automobile
- Umbrella
- Workers' Compensation
General insurance questions should be directed to Bob Blomster at 952-253-4311 or bob.blomster@japrice.com.
2. Criminal Background Checks
How do we protect our children? Reports of sexual predators and child abuse involving the clergy, day care workers and youth volunteers are all too familiar. Unfortunately, this includes a disturbing number of youth sport coaches who have a history of incidents of sexual misconduct and/or violence. This is a complex issue and many youth sports organizations are unclear about what to do or how to approach this threat, yet they must take proactive steps to prevent their children from becoming innocent victims. Don’t put your children at risk!
In addition, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that $50 billion is lost annually due to employee theft and fraud. Youth sports associations must protect themselves from this threat as well. Don’t put your association at risk!
Fortunately, youth sports associations now have a simple and inexpensive tool to avoid some of society’s worst fears. The MYAS, with its partner Trusted Employees, has designed a criminal background check system that offers three affordable options to youth sports associations. Trusted Employees, a local Twin Cities company, incorporates a “user-friendly” process combined with flexible information delivery to make this system easy and inexpensive for your organization. For more information, please contact Mike DeWane at 952-393-1929 or mike@myas.org.
3. Coaching Education Program
The MYAS has partnered with the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) to offer youth sport associations and their coaches the Coaching Youth Sport education program designed specifically for youth coaches. It provides coaches with a solid foundation in coaching principles, sport first aid and sport-specific techniques and tactics. These courses are available for baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball and wrestling and can be delivered in the classroom or online. For more information, please contact Mike DeWane at 952-393-1929 or mike@myas.org.
MYAS Sponsors
MYAS Membership Meetings
MYAS membership meetings are held at our offices (4111 Central Avenue NE; Columbia Heights, MN 55421) on the last Tuesday of each month at 9:00am (unless notified otherwise). All MYAS members are welcome to attend.
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