Frequently Asked Questions
We are currently working on getting online registration operational. In the meantime, you can visit the signup tables (listed on the home page).
For new players: Rookies (1st & 2nd graders) pay $165; Divisional/All-Net pay $175; Siblings of a player already registered pay $155. The fee includes a new uniform.
For returning players: Rookies (1st & 2nd graders) pay ; Divisional/All-Net pays $145; Siblings of a player already registered pay $125. The fee does not include uniform as returning players will use uniform from previous year.
The sign-up fees include a picture package and trophy at the end of the season.
The remainder of the fees cover the costs of insurance, gym rentals, certified referees, dues to national headquarters, and other overhead.
In addition to the application, we will need the following to complete a player's registration:
- Health insurance information
Additionally, for All-Net:
- Proof of age - a copy of the birth certificate or passport
- Proof of residence - a copy of the family's utility bill. Players must live within Vallejo boundaries or else obtain a Residency Waiver
- Proof of grade - a copy of the most recent report card or a school letter. Players must comply with grade requirements and maintain a 2.0 GPA with acceptable verification.
You may sign up your child at the registration tables if you are missing the above documents, but you will have to furnish them before he/she is fully registered.
Not at all! The specific purpose of NJB is to acquaint the players with the fundamentals of the game -- teaching proper shooting, passing, dribbling, and defense -- and to teach good sportsmanship and teamwork during the season.
Every child, regardless of talent, makes a team. In the regular Division, the game rules are structured so that everybody plays at least two quarters of each game, and the player draft is designed to make each team equal in talent and size.
Practices begin in November and the regular season games run on Sundays from December through February. No games are scheduled on Christmas weekend nor on Superbowl Sunday. Postseason games (for All-Star and All-Net teams) can last from March through April depending on how well the teams do.
Regular season games are at the local high school gyms -- at the moment, Jesse Bethel High School and Hogan High School. Sometimes a small turnout requires us to combine games with a neighboring chapter. In the past, for example, Vallejo and Fairfield girls' divisions played against one another so there would be enough teacms to play, so some cgames would be in Fairfield.
All-Net teams play against teams in other chapters, and will have to travel farther: Fairfield, Vacaville, Petaluma, etc.
Postseason championship games for All-Star and All-Net teams, if they advance far enough, will take place in Southern California.
Practices start the third week of November. The first games are on the first Sunday in December.
The regular Division league has separate Boys and Girls Divisions, each divided by grade level:
- Division 1: Grades 7-8 combined
- Division 2: Grades 5-6 combined
- Division 3: Grades 3-4 combined
- Rookies: Grades 1-2; teams are co-ed
The All-Net teams are by individual grades: Boys 5th Grade, Boys 6th Grade, Boys 7th Grade, and Boys 8th Grade. There will be Girls All-Net teams if the response is good.
Here is a table summarizing the divisions at Vallejo NJB:
| School Grade |
Divisional
(developmental - everyone makes team)
NJB rules
Teams play teams within the chapter* |
All-Net
(competitive - must try out)
High school rules
Teams play teams from other chapters |
| 1st |
Boys Rookie
27.5" ball |
Girls Rookie
27.5" ball |
(none) |
| 2nd |
2nd
(with parents'
permission) |
Boys Division 3
27.5" ball |
Girls Division 3
27.5" ball |
| 3rd |
| 4th |
| 5th |
Boys Division 2
28.5" ball |
Girls Division 2
28.5" ball |
Boys 5th grade
28.5" ball |
Girls 5th grade
28.5" ball |
| 6th |
Boys 6th grade
29.5" ball |
Girls 6th grade
28.5" ball |
| 7th |
Boys Division 1
29.5" ball |
Girls Division 1
28.5" ball |
Boys 7th grade
29.5" ball |
Girls 7th grade
28.5" ball |
| 8th |
Boys 8th grade
29.5" ball |
Girls 8th grade
28.5" ball |
|
| Summary of Divisions at the Vallejo NJB Chapter |
| * - If fewer than four teams can be formed, a division will also play teams from neighboring chapters. |
The regular Divisional program is a recreational/development league, open to all boys and girls, whose goal is to develop beginning and intermediate players. Everyone makes a team, and everyone gets playing time. Divisional coaches train players on the fundamentals of the game. Division teams play against teams within their division in the chapter.
The All-Net Program is a competition league for advanced players in the 5th through 8th grades. It is designed primarily to prepare motivated players to compete at the high school level. Players must try out for All-Net, and there is no guarantee to make an All-Net team. Coaches teach higher-level skills and games follow high school rules. All-Net teams play against other All-Net teams from other chapters in the area, and usually travel farther distances to play some of their games.
Yes, both in Divisional and All-Net, if his/her skill is up to it, and with parents' permission.
Have him/her attend the player evaluation. If he/she cannot attend on the date listed, tchere is a make-up evaluation at a later date (also listed). About a week after that, your coach will call to notify you of the first practice.
There is no need to worry. We simply have your child demonstrate (or attempt to demonstrate, if they are new to the game) basic basketball skills like shooting, dribbling, layups, and defense. The evaluations are anonymous: each child is identified only by an ID number pinned to his/her back rather than by name.
All players are evaluated for the Division teams to determine their skill levels and to create balanced teams containing all skill levels. This is not a tryout; no one is "cut" and everyone will be placed on a team. NJB conducts a draft so that teams are equally balanced, and coaches are only given the player ID numbers so that there is no bias.
After the teams have been drafted, the coaches and the Player Agent can arrange trades but they cannot guarantee to satisfy all requests, as they have to make sure the teams stay balanced. The only certainty is for the Head Coach's child to be on the coach's team.
In the draft, the coaches select the players, not the other way around.
There are three ways:
- An All-Net coach observing the player evaluations can nominate a player to All-Net.
- All players interested in playing for an All-Net team may attend the open All-Net tryout. See the calendar for the exact date.
- A coach with at least 7 eligible players may form an All-Net team by applying to the Board in writing and receiving approval.
Yes! The point is to encourage kids to play, whatever the skill level.
Yes.
First-year players should sign up for NJB Divisional league. All players are welcome to try out for an All-Net team; on rare occasions a first-year player will make an All-Net team after trying out.
Toward the end of the season, Divisional coaches and the players themselves vote to select the best players in their grade divisions. These players will form Vallejo Chapter All-Star teams which will compete against other All-Star teams from other chapters in postseason play.
In short, All-Net teams form at the start of the season; All-Star teams form at the end of the season. All-Net players come from the All-Net tryouts; All-Star players come from the regular Division League.
Divisonal teams may not practice more than two times per week and practices may not last longer than two hours per session. All-Net teams may practice a maximum of 3 times per week and practices should not last longer than two hours per session. However, practice time is largely limited by gym availability.
Yes, all NJB head coaches must attend an annual coaches clinic.
Yes. All of the coaches and board members are fingerprinted by US Fingerprinting. No one convicted of any crime that causes them to register under Calif Penal Code section 290 is allowed to coach.
Coaches will have a first aid kit and their players' medical release forms at games and practices, and all girls' teams must have an adult female in attendance at games and practices as well.
Rookie and Division 3 boys and girls use a 27.5" ball, Division 2 boys and girls use a 28.5" ball, Division 1 girls use a 28.5" ball, and the Division 1 boys use a 29.5" ball.
In the All-Net Division, 5th grade boys and 5th - 8th grade girls use a 28.5" ball; 6th - 8th grade boys use a 29.5" ball.
Refer to this sizing page for the uniform measurements.
NJB encourages parent participation. All families are expected to donate four hours of time volunteering for the league.
Volunteering can be fun! It takes a lot of work to run a league, and the success of the NJB program depends on the efforts of everyone who pitches in. NJB needs coaches, assistant coaches, team mothers, registration help, tryout help, concession stand help, publicity, timekeepers, and more.
Q: "Form an All-Net team"? Can there be more than one All-Net team for the same grade level?