FAQ

Tryouts and team formation

How do Tryouts work and when are they?

There are typically two tryouts, and your child must attend at least one session if they have not previously worked with Coach Raydo. At the tryout, they can showcase their skills and commitment to basketball. RBL looks at physical ability, attitude, and demeanor. Not having the proper attitude will negatively impact the team's ability to succeed and reduce enjoyment for not only the player but teammates, coaches, and parents. A negative attitude or not being "coachable" will limit how much RBL coaches can help players improve. Tryouts for Fall are typically in early September and Winter are the first week of January.

Is there a cost to attend tryouts?

Yes, $10 which covers the cost of the gym.

How many teams does RBL have? What ages?

RBL continues to grow and will ultimately have 12-14 teams with 1-3 teams per age group. Our capacity is limited until our new facility is built (expected to be in Spring 2026).

How many players are on a team?

We expect to have no less than 7 and no more than 8. If players are going to miss a tournament, we pull from other teams to make sure we have enough to compete. The exception to this is if we only have one team for that age group.

Do you allow players to join a team Mid-season?

No, unless a rare situation such as injuries or kids leaving them team presents itself. If someone is added, a discussion with the existing parents would happen but this has yet to happen since RBL was founded.

Do you allow extra players to “fill-in” even if they aren’t part of the team?

No. You must be part of the RBL family in order to play in any RBL tournaments. An exception could be made if we don’t have enough to field a team, but this is not expected.

season expectations

What is the duration and cost of a season?

Currently, we have three seasons:
Fall - early September to early November (2 months)
Winter - mid-January to early April
Spring - early April to early June

There are tryouts for fall and winter with spring being an extension of the winter season. Winter season players can “opt-out” of spring to accommodate other sports.

The cost is determined by the season and can run $400-$1000 to help cover costs of gym time, coaches, and administration costs. We facilitate and encourage families to fundraise. Uniforms and gear can be used from season to season but those are separate costs.

Does RBL have its own gym? where do you practice?

RBL uses various gyms around Raleigh and Wake Forest to accommodate practices. In Spring of 2026, RBL will have its own facility.

How many tournaments does RBL Play?

We expect to play 1-2 tournaments each month, but it depends on the season. We emphasize practice over games and believe games are fun, but practice is where you really get better.

Does RBL Travel for tournaments?

In most cases, we stay within a 2-hour radius of Raleigh. Our top teams may travel a little further for more competitive play. Teams may be determined by interest level in traveling which will be asked during registration.

Are tournaments one-day or multi-day?

We will play both, but most tournaments are one-day tournaments. RBL is a Christian organization and we do want to avoid playing on Sundays.

How does Playing Time Work in Games?

RBL teams should only have 8 players max on a team for a tournament to allow for reasonable playing time. All kids will play; however, increased playing time can be earned based on attitude and work ethic. Because RBL is a Select Team, we will not adhere to "equal playing time for all." Work ethic, attitude and ability will play major factors.

What if my child has conflicts during practices or games?

We understand there are both prior commitments and last-minute emergencies. In order to improve both individually and as a team, committing to and attending practices and games are very important. Communication is key, so please let us know as far in advance as possible (via PlayMetrics) when a practice or game will be missed.

Can my child play on another select team at the same time as RBL?

We ask if you are, that you share it with us. It is possible if practices/tournaments don't conflict. We would still like RBL to be the priority, because you would be taking a spot from somebody else. Please note, playing on multiple teams can be challenging for kids, because they may be learning different terminology, plays, and overall concepts which could impact their learning ability.

Does RBL run plays, and how challenging will they be for my child to remember?

RBL does have plays and we focus early in the season on both plays and terminology. We want to put players in a position to read and react versus being robots running through plays, but we feel building plays and sets help spacing to get kids in a position to read and react. This is also why playing on multiple teams is challenging for kids because “motion” may mean something completely different at RBL than it does on another team.

COMMUNITY SERVICE and CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION

What if my family does not practice Christianity?

RBL is a Christian organization, and it is embedded in our values and practices. There will be times when we have discussions about Christian values and Bible verses. We don't intend to overwhelm anyone, but we hope welcome the opportunity to grow in faith together. If you strongly object to the idea of Christianity, we would love the opportunity to discuss program to see if it is a good fit everyone.

Does RBL get involved in Community Service?

Yes. Community service is a major theme of RBL and every team and season will have the opportunity to take part in community service projects primarily with other Christian organizations. Our efforts will significantly increase in 2026 when our new RBL facility opens.

RBL DIFFERENCE, PARENTS, and GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

What Separates RBL from Other Select Teams?

We truly care about the kids and improvement both as a basketball player and teammates. It's not just about scoring a basket or winning a game, but is it being done the right way so it is repeatable. We care about both offense and defense equally and will take time with each player to make sure they know where they can improve. RBL will provide "report cards" to parents at the end of the season identifying strengths and weaknesses. RBL also welcomes feedback and suggestions from parents during one-on-one meetings. We appreciate others' perspectives and experiences and have incorporated recommendations on drills, plays, and motivations into RBL. The bottom line is we want to do things the right way, and we want you to be proud to be part of RBL.

What is the Parent’s Involvement?

We encourage all parents to be their kid's biggest supporter! Cheering from the sidelines and watching practices is great; however, we do please ask that you refrain from coaching them during events. RBL coaches are always open to feedback off the court and are happy to set up a time to talk. RBL coaches will proactively share individual performance improvements with parents so you can work on them at home. Continued practice outside of RBL events is very important to reinforce the skills they learn at practice and during games.

Is Matt Raydo going to try to convert my child into a Maryland fan?

I am a Maryland fan first and Kansas fan second (I grew up in Kansas City so Kansas fan growing up). My wife went to NC State. While being a Maryland fan, we are supposed to hate Duke... I don't. I also don't hate UNC. I enjoy college basketball and don't get caught up in hating teams although I may prefer some over others. I do love that kids have a favorite team versus player as I think it promotes being a team player.

Does RBL provide group or individual training?

Currently we embed skills training within RBL practices. Gym space is always a challenge both financially and logistically. There may be opportunities to get some training in 2025, but it is expected to have significantly more training opportunities in 2026 with the new gym.

Does RBL use other people outside of the coaching staff to instruct players?

Coach Raydo believes building a network of people to help instruct is the best way to go. Hearing one or two voices always during practice does not help the team grow. Matt is networking with various coaches and trainers around the Triangle to help bring different voices to the program. Matt makes sure they align to the RBL way.

Will my Child get better at basketball?

This is our goal. And while basketball is fun, RBL is a competitive team, and we will teach the skills necessary to become better players. We know becoming a great athlete isn't just about physical abilities, so we will put as much effort into developing mental toughness, teamwork, discipline, and leadership as we do basketball. We will stress fundamentals and even though the game of basketball has evolved over the years, it is still important to have key fundamentals for both success at the team and individual level.

FAQ