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Each year, a new team is formed. Sometimes, players are as young as eight or nine. Each year, players from established teams make decisions to move on. They choose to focus on others sports, music or their academic endeavors. Regardless, new opportunities frequently arise for athletes wanting to wear the blue and white of Maryland Sure Shots.

Some Sure Shot teams, especially the younger ones, organize about the same time school starts, so they can compete against travel teams in fall and winter leagues. Other Sure Shot teams prefer to get together in the late winter, right before AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) activities pick up.

The process begins with public announcements of try outs, here, on this Web site, on flyers posted at Leadership Gym and elsewhere, or in local newspapers. At the try outs, players should come prepared to exhibit fundamental skills, a good understanding of the game and a spirited attitude that suggests a readiness to play and be coached. Players or parents will often begin by completing forms that give the organization contact information. Parents may be asked verbally or in writing to consider the risks associated with strenuous physical activities such as basketball, and to sign a document that confirms their understanding.

Every coach has a different routine that he/she will use to observe players. If there is a large number of players, then the coaches will request more try outs and begin the elimination of some who need more skill development or show an unacceptable attitude.

The first step in the try-out process is filling out the paperwork. Download the try-out application at this Web site and answer all the questions. Make a copy of your birth certificate to turn in, because proof of age is important.

Always know your height and weight, because you will be asked. For high school students especially, know your grade-point average. You will be asked.

Your AAU coach, like your high school coach, is an important ambassador for you. College coaches will locate your AAU coach to ask questions. If you hope to play basketball in college, or any sport, your AAU coach needs to know more about you than whether you can dribble with your left hand. AAU coaches are asked personal questions: What kind of kid is this player? What kind of student?

Prepare a short biography and give it to your coach. Describe very briefly the sports you've played, the programs you've been involved with, the awards and honors you've won, the community service you've performed, the part-time jobs you've had, your family, your course work at school, your grades, your school honors, and your plans for the future. All of these facts paint a picture of you in the minds of coaches, who want mature players to work with. If your AAU coach knows these facts, college coaches will learn them, too, before they ever talk to you.

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