In youth basketball, teams don’t have to wait for March for it to be tourney time. Youth basketball tournaments take place all season long. Often these tournaments are weekend-long whirlwinds that can be chaotic for parents if they are not prepared. With the uncertainty that comes with tournaments, it is a good idea for parents to plan for a few different scenarios. Here are some things to expect as you cheer on your child’s team.

Early is On-Time

With so many young athletes in one place – and the chaos that entails – it is best if you arrive at the tournament site early. This allows your child’s coaches time to make sure players are focused and ready to take on their first opponent. The less scrambling that coaches and players have to do leading up to tipoff, the better. Helping your coaches keep their team organized is a great way to get a tournament off on the right foot.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Each tournament will bring with it a different host site. For parents, that means a new parking lot to figure out, a new building to navigate and many other details that likely won’t come to mind until you arrive on-site. Event organizers and coaches will always do their best to make arrival as easy as possible but with so many people coming from all over the state, it’s best to stay calm and remain flexible so that games can be played without a hitch.

Healthy Snacks Fuel Performance

There is little downtime in between games at youth basketball tournaments. After one game is completed, it can be only a matter of minutes before the next game begins. With such a small window of time to refuel, having healthy snacks on hand is a great way to give your young athletes a boost so that they are ready for the next round of the tournament. 

Model a Positive Attitude

Young athletes are impressionable and parents have a duty to lead by example. Regardless of how well your player or their team is performing, it is important to cheer on participants in a positive, uplifting manner. By maintaining a positive environment, all participants will leave the tournament confident in their efforts and abilities no matter what the final score was.

Leagues and Tournaments for Ballers Across Minnesota

MYAS is Minnesota’s trusted home for youth basketball. We offer leagues that cater to a wide range of ages and abilities so that any child who wants to play can find a team. With affiliated organizations statewide, there is a team waiting for your child to join. Find your team and we’ll see you out on the court!