What's the differences between In-House and Travel leagues?
Elk River Boys Youth Basketball Association (ERBYB) traveling program focuses on the more competitive fourth through eighth grade student athletes, who make a larger commitment of time and effort. Traveling teams are formed through a tryout process that creates a minimum of two teams, which are tiered to form an “A” and “B” team. If there are both a sufficient number of interested players and talent, a third tier, or “C” team may be added. The ERBYB traveling season begins in mid October, and runs through mid-March. Traveling teams typically practice twice weekly, and will play in approximately 10 weekend tournaments over the course of the season.
Inherent to the success of the ERBYB traveling program is the level of dedication and commitment of the participants. Participation in the ERBYB traveling program DOES REQUIRE A GREATER LEVEL OF COMMITMENT than ERBYB house league basketball. We strongly recommend both parents and potential players consider their schedules and conflicts before trying out for traveling basketball. If players and parents have a clear idea of the level of obligation the traveling program demands, and are able to plan ahead to meet those obligations, it alleviates the stress caused to both the player and the team when a player misses practices, games or even tournaments. Please keep in mind that attendance at practice is as important as tournament games. Participation in another non-school traveling program during the season should be secondary to travel basketball.
All travel families are required to volunteer some time during the classic tournament to avoid the travel check deposit.
House and Travel Schedules
House games are played Saturday mornings at a local Elk River school. Practices are also local and are generally consistent, but this also depends on your team's discretion and gym availability.
Travel tournaments are played weekends, with only the Elk River Classic tournament held locally. Other tournaments are determined by the travel director in coordination with the travel coaching staff.
The schedules for current and prior travel tournament involvement can be found here and used as a guideline of the commitment.
| Travel Program | House Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Expenses | Warm-ups, tournament gate fees and one out of town tournament. | Registration is all inclusive |
| Competition Level | Competitive level - play to win while continuing to develop team and player skills. | Emphasis is on skill development. |
| Game Locations | Most tournaments entered are located in the north metro area. There might be one or two out of metro tournaments. | All games held at a School District 728 school (e.g., Salk, Vandenberg, Lincoln Elementary, etc.) |
| Games/Tournaments | 10 weekend tournaments (generally Saturday and Sunday) | 8 regular season games played on Saturdays. 2 tournament weekends (mid and end of season) played on Saturday and Sunday at ISD 728 gyms. |
| Parent Volunteer Requirements | Mandatory Volunteer Requirements at the Classic Tournement - $300 refundable deposit.There is now an option to pay $300 online and opt out of your volunteer obligations. | Volunteer time required to score games, set up chairs in gyms, and run clocks. |
| Play time | Play time may NOT be equal | Grades 1 thru 6 equal playing time |
| Practice Time | Practice 2 to 3 hours per week | Practice 1 to 1.5 hours per week |
| Practice night/time | Varies-Determined after registration is closed and teams are selected | Vaires-Determined after registration is closed and teams are selected |
| Practice locatoin | Any school within Elk River | Any school within Elk River |
| Season Length | 5 month season (mid-October through mid-March) | 3 month season (December - February or early March) |
| Uniforms | Uniform expense is approximately $145 | Included in registration fee. |
| ERBYB Summer Skills and Camps | Included in registration fee | Included in registration fee. |
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