Videos

	Are you coming back next year??? YES! August 8, 2010 Well - after a tough, but fun, four days of camp here are some reflections on the experience by Corey,...
	Camp is over....but the fun isn't! August 8, 2010 Corey Johnson, Destinee McDonald, Kendall Johnson, Murray Hill, Immanuel Wells and Rece D'Alessandro...
	Steve Brown talks about his son's experience at camp! August 8, 2010 Steve & Debra Brown brought their son to the Advanced Skills Youth Camp in August of 2010 not knowing...
	Captains rally their troops for the final Skills Test... August 8, 2010 Allowing the young campers the room to lead and motivate themselves brings these teams together and...
	Energy & Desire - the themes of a Coach Rock huddle August 8, 2010 Kids having fun with their team huddle - "Nothing great has ever been accomplished without enthusiasm."...
	"Stance!" Drill Sequence has been a camp tradition... August 8, 2010 ...it gets interesting when led by a camper!
	Jacoby Jackson gets the camp pumped for the Defensive Practices! August 8, 2010 Throughout camp, coaches step back to allow leaders to come forward - the ultimate goal is not only...
	Murray Hill, Corey Johnson and Rece D'Alessandro jokin' around in the morning before camp. August 8, 2010 At camp you make new friends - and there's lots of fun before the day starts!
	Immanuel Wells gives a defensive lecture... August 8, 2010 At the Advanced Skills Youth Camp teams work on their Team Defensive Drills - and a special young man,...
	Coach Skinner talks and talks and talks...about VABA! July 31, 2010 The BEST coaches in America - together talking about the Total Skills Camp experience.

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Developmental League

League Mission:
The Mission of the VDBL is to prepare young players for life through the game of basketball. Organized and run by the Virginia Basketball Academy this program is set on VABA’s two main goals: SKILL & CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. The VDBL is designed to help young basketball players prepare for life and the relevant possibility of playing high school basketball. As a program of VABA, a recognized 501c3/non-profit organization, the VDBL maintains the same mission and purpose, aiming to serve the extended Charlottesville-Albemarle community by funding scholarships for all interested participants. Donations and sponsorships are vitally important to sustaining our costs and are always welcome! (Apply for a Scholarship)

Teams/Divisions:
There are four “divisions” within the VDBL: 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade. All teams, comprised of 10 players each (chosen through try-outs), are divided based on the high school the players would (eventually) be attending. The VDBL (“D-League”) is not run directly by the schools, the high schools, or their athletic directors and coaches. It has been designed with their knowledge, input, consent and support. Local high schools stand to benefit from the development of their future athletes therefore they are very supportive and excited about the VDBL and its approach! All games and practices will be taking place at the projected high school. Participating schools include Albemarle HS, Charlottesville HS, Monticello HS, Western Albemarle HS, Covenant, Charlottesville Catholic, St. Anne's-Belfield and Tandem (other private schools). Students will participate as the “Patriots,” “Black Knights,” “Mustangs,” “Warriors,” “Eagles,” “Saints," "Flucos," and "Dragons."

*All other local private school or home-schooled students interested in participating have the choice of trying-out for either the “Eagles” or “Saints.”
*Only those affiliated with the designated schools listed above may participate in this, the inaugural year of the VDBL.

Trained Coaches/”Coaches Clinics:” All VDBL Head Coaches are trained, through a series of “Coaches’ Clinics,” on a specific basketball curriculum of Coaching Ethics, Defensive & Offensive play. High School coaches will also have the opportunity to help “train” coaches and their potential future players through these clinics. There is no charge to VDBL Coaches for Coaches Clinics.

Two “Team/Player Clinics:” All student-athletes are required to attend both “Team/Player Clinics.” Founding Director, Ben D’Alessandro, will be conducting these teaching sessions. This is the first time VDBL Head coaches will get a chance to meet and work with their teams. “Team/Player Clinic I” is on the fundamentals of proper man-to-man defensive play, and “Team/Player Clinic II” covers the individual and team skills, concepts and schemes of proper offensive play. All clinics are included in the price of the league.

Mesh Uniforms, Shooting Shirt & T-shirt: All student-athletes are outfitted in full uniform, including a reversible mesh jersey and shorts, shooting shirt & league t-shirt in the respective colors of their future high school (student-athletes keep all apparel).

Full-court, Reserved, Gym-space @ HS: FULL-COURT gym space has been reserved for each team practice (90-minutes in length) in order to ensure the optimum environment for teaching and learning. All practices take place at the program’s respective high school gymnasium. Game locations rotate each week so each team receives, in most cases, two home games during the season.

Three, Certified, High School Officials for Games: All games are officiated by certified high school officials, usually three-man crews. All VHSL rules are applied and enforced, including 6-minute quarters, using stop-time (Freshmen rules).

Skill & Character Development Binder: All student-athletes are given a binder for on-going skill & character development including handouts, learning tools, etc. Each S-A is held to Academic and Conduct standards. Academic achievement, school and home conduct, and team participation will be reported and assessed weekly by VDBL team coaches and league directors.