Those who tryout and make our travel teams will compete in local, regional and national games and tournaments to gain competitive experience to further develop their skills and cognizance of the game. This also helps them understand teamwork, build character and boost self-esteem so they are prepared for the next level as student athletes.To learn more about Tryout Dates, click the button below.
OUR PROGRAM
We are keen on cultivating Fierce athletes and Fearless competitors. Beyond the game, we focus on instilling values, bolstering self-esteem, building confidence and shaping good work ethic on and off the court. My job is to make sure our Fierce Athletes reap all the benefits of my years of experience as a professional athlete & coach at every level of the game.
Key Program Takeaways
CAMPS & PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
We offer Camps & Player Development Programs as a way for youth and student athletes to stay physically active and work on their game during and in between seasons. It’s a fun and exciting introduction to basketball for beginner participants and a way for recreational and competitive players to strengthen their fundamental skills, athleticism and broaden their cognizance to play confidently at the next level of the game. To learn more about our events, click the button below.
FIERCE ELITE
We collaborate with our partner program, Great Gain Athletics Inc to provide community outreach events and activities as well as mentoring through sports. Our Fierce Elite extension program is composed of Fierce high school age student athletes as well as those from around the city who desire to continue to hone their skills during the spring and summer months and compete in local and regional tournaments and events outside of, or as an alternative to, school sports.
COACHING PHILOSOPHY
SCF’s teaching philosophy derives from 3 important facets of coaching that help cultivate a complete and sound player. MINDFULNESS, which focuses on INDIVIDUAL PLAYER NEEDS and EXPERIENCES to obtain OPTIMAL TEAM RESULTS. VALUES which focuses on PERFORMANCE PRINCIPLES to build success characteristics on and off the court. PLAYER DEVELOPMENT, which focuses on progressively assessing and evaluating players’ untapped potential to help them reach short and long term improvement goals.
MVP
MINDFULNESS
Players-first coaching is a concept adaptation from the well-renowned Coach John Calipari’s teaching philosophy. He focuses a lot of his attention on what a player needs to get the best results.
Over the years of my experience as an international pro player and now coach, taking a mindfulness approach became a recurring theme in not only my success as a player but also the success of the players I now coach.
– Coach Mike
Mindfulness coaching helps cultivate awareness to encourage moving with intention. It helps us focus our attention on what is happening in the moment (usually in a game setting or when learning a new skill or play). It also helps us acknowledge what attitude we will take when we experience challenges as well. Mindfulness is helpful in how we relate to things and experiences happening around us; especially in basketball when players need to recover quickly to keep their heads in the game. The end result will usually produce more positive outcomes for players and their teammates.
(FIERCE)VALUES
(Performance Principles)
We value what it means to be a complete player as a teammate and student athlete. That is why it is important to instill principles that guide a player’s overall performance. We hold each player to these standards because we feel it brings the best out of each and every athlete.
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Our player development pathway ensures each player in their respective age group gains the right experience over time to be successful on the court. On average, 35% of the kids who enter our program have little to no basketball skills. However, after only one season, 10% of those kids show improvement. Similarly, the 10% who enter our program with little to no competitive edge improve by 50% after one season. It’s the same with Game Cognizance & IQ. Of the 5% who enter our program with little to no comprehension, 3% show significant improvement after one season. That’s more than 50%. Over the next 3 seasons, these percentages naturally increase over time with improved fine motor skills, athletic performance and game situational play.
In summary, based on our evaluations and Fierce curriculum we have seen significant improvement from all players in all areas of the game whether they enter the program with experience or not. This is a great starting point to lay out pathways to reach individual and team short and long term improvement goals.
Participating in clinic-style training sessions and camps also gives players an opportunity to work on individual goals like shooting and ball handling.
FAQS
Have a few questions before joining our program or participating in So Cal Fierce activities and events?
Check out the most common questions we receive below.
When does SCF basketball seasons start?
Fall season starts early September and runs for 10 weeks.
Winter season begins early December and runs for 10 weeks.
Spring season starts late March and runs for 10 weeks.
What is the minimum age to participate in So Cal Fierce?
Athletes must fall within the following development pathway age groups to participate in the SCF program.
| 7.5 – 9u | DEVELOPMENT TRAINING | Lil Tikes/ Co-ed | Players will learn the ABCs of basketball, participate in (2) development training practices per week, beach workouts on Sundays when scheduled and team building activities & events. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10u & UP | DEVELOPMENT TRAINING | Practice Players (Boys + Girls) | Players will develop their game play & learn defensive schemes, participate in (2) development training practices per week, beach workouts on Sundays when scheduled and team building activities & events. |
| 9 & UP | TEAM PRACTICE |
Group A Travel Teams | Players will continue to develop their game play and defensive schemes, as well as learn game strategies. They will participate in (3) practices per week, compete in shootouts and tournaments as well as beach workouts on scheduled Sundays, and team-building activities and events. |
| 13u & UP | TEAM PRACTICE | Group B Travel Teams | Players will continue to develop their game play and defensive schemes, as well as learn game strategies. They will participate in (3) practices per week, compete in shootouts and tournaments as well as beach workouts on scheduled Sundays, and team-building activities and events. |
| 15u & UP | AAU TEAM PRACTICE | Fierce Elite AAU (High School) | Players will continue to develop their game play and defensive schemes, as well as learn game strategies. They will participate in (2-3) practices per week, as well as compete in AAU-sanctioned events. |
What days are practices and games?
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for Travel Teams with scheduled beach workouts on Sundays.
Tuesdays & Thursdays for the Player Development Program. They are also invited to beach workouts on Sundays when scheduled.
Games are typically on the weekends either Saturday and/or Sunday.
What time are practices and games?
Practices are usually in the afternoon or early evening after school between 4pm and 8pm.
Where are practices and games held?
Practices are held indoors in Pacific Palisades. Games however are dependent upon event host and are usually held in the valley, South Bay and surrounding cities.
Does my child need to have basketball experience?
Generally speaking, kids do not need extensive basketball experience or training to participate in our program but should demonstrate basic fundamentals. If they wish to join a travel ball team, they should show their ability to execute defensive schemes, game strategies and satisfactory skill level during the tryout. We are a dedicated development program focused on both short and long-term basketball improvement goals, ensuring your child benefits regardless of their entry level.
How does my child participate or sign up for So Cal Fierce Basktball Program.
- Fill out a program inquiry.
- Register for your child to try out for a travel team
- If you are unsure if your child is ready for a competitive or elite team, the head coach may determine a development pathway during your child’s evaluation tryout.
- Send a follow up email if you wish to move forward with signing after you receive feedback from the head coach.
Can both of my kids play on the same team?
Team roster determination is based on two criteria:
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- Age group will be the primary factor in determining which team a player is placed on. We group players by their birth year to ensure fair competition and developmentally appropriate challenges.
- Skill level is the secondary factor considered when forming teams. This allows us to create balanced teams and provide the right level of competition for each player’s development.
While we understand the desire for siblings to play together, it’s not always possible or beneficial for their individual growth or team dynamic. We assess each case individually, considering both age and skill level, to make the best decision for all players involved.
My child is involved in multiple sports so he can't fully commit. Can we receive a discount or be refunded if he misses practices?
As a policy, we do not offer discounts or refunds for missed participation days due to scheduling or commitment conflicts. Before you sign your student athlete up for So Cal Fierce Basketball and accept a spot on a team roster, please ensure your student athlete can commit to at least 80% participation. If your child’s participation declines, we may ask that your child sign up only for development training sessions to free up a spot for another player.
If you are starting our program later in the current season, we can offer to prorate fees when requested in advance.
How do I cancel my Travel Team Membership, request a refund or apply a credit for an activity or event?
Have a question that you don’t see an answer for here? No problem. We will be happy to answer your questions here
