BYBA Program Changes
BYBA’s primary goal is to provide our athletes with a fun, competitive, and rewarding athletic experience, as well as to prepare them for high school sports. We also believe in the many life lessons that children can learn through their involvement in youth sports, and aim to create an environment where these lessons can be learned, and where the players can grow and develop not only as athletes, but also as people. This past spring BYBA implemented a program review process, and solicited some feedback from parents of our players. Based on this feedback, and after much discussion, we are implementing several changes to our program with the aforementioned goals in mind.
1- BYBA has implemented a free fall skills program for all grades to help our athletes for the coming season. If there is interest, we will implement an in-season program. The in-season program may be a paid program, with outside coaches brought in to run the sessions, or it may be run by a combination of our current coaches with help from high school players.
2- BYBA will be implementing new communication policies designed to improve parent-coach communications and relationships. We want everyone, coaches and parents alike, to feel comfortable giving and receiving feedback. These policies will be sent out ahead of the season start date.
3- BYBA will be decreasing rosters sizes in middle school. Starting with our 6th grade teams, we are going to be limiting roster sizes to 10 players on A teams, and 11 players on B teams. We believe this will provide a better experience and playing opportunity for all players involved. 4th and 5th grade teams will remain at 12 each.
4- Playing time minimums are being updated. 4th and 5th grade teams are expected to get a near even split on playing time. 6th through 8th grades will get an increase to 10 minutes per game. Playing time is earned not only with in-game play, but with attendance at practice and by being an active and attentive participant in practice. Deviations below the minimum can be allowed if there is an issue with a player’s attendance or behavior at practice. Parents and players will be given opportunities to discuss and correct any issues that may be encountered.
4- Our 4th grade girls teams will no longer be level-loaded. In past years, BYBA has level-loaded our 4th grade girls teams, but this year we spearheaded a change in the River Valley League that we believe will provide a better experience for all players involved.
5- BYBA will be trying to partner more closely with the high school teams by getting more teams out to scrimmage at half time, or participating in some other way, and possibly having the varsity players take a role in helping out at youth practices.
6- The BYBA board is working on developing a curriculum to distribute to coaches to provide a more streamlined and predictable approach to preparing our students for playing in high school.
7- BYBA is purchasing a camera for purposes of streaming games and recording games which can be used by coaches and players alike to review film. Film review is a valuable development tool and we encourage all players to watch their games after it has been played.
~~ BYBA Board of directors