In general, CAA will follow policy set by the appropriate governing bodies.  This starts with the CDC, then the MN Dept. of Health, then School District 112, and finally the Community Education office, through which we rent our gyms.  Each of those bodies may set a tighter set of guidelines and restrictions than the bodies above it, and we will follow the most restrictive set.

When we travel to other communities, we will respect their policies, and expect the same in return.

While these procedures were crafted at the height of the pandemic, the following guidelines still stand:

1. The school district has published a decision chart here.  We will refer to this for any participation questions that arise.

2. If your athlete has been instructed to quarantine by your school, this quarantine extends to CAA activities.

3. If your athlete is experiencing symptoms and/or waiting for the results of a test due to symptoms or close contact, the athlete should not attend CAA activities.

4. If an athlete tests positive, we will presume all practices and games attended by that athlete will constitute "close contact" with teammates and opponents, unless:
    a) All athletes wore masks, or 
    b) The coach had specifically structured a "no contact" practice, keeping the athletes out of direct competition and enforcing distancing throughout.

5. When in doubt, err on the side of caution for attending practices, and consult CAA for clarification regarding games.  Please inform your coach as soon as possible any time your athlete will miss an event.  Our coaches understand the current world we are living in and will understand COVID-related absence, but they plan practices and games based on assumed attendance and will appreciate the time to make adjustments.

These and all other guidelines are subject to change as the situation and responses remain fluid.  Questions should be addressed by the appropriate Director for your program (Travel, Community, Developmental).

Revised July, 2023

CAA Basketball believes in an equitable playing time philosophy, striving for growth in skill development, having fun and establishing a winning culture.  Playing time is determined by many factors, including: attendance, work ethic, attitude in games and at practice, foul trouble, and in-game match-ups.

Our expectation for players: Travel basketball is a voluntary, competitive activity requiring commitment to the team, desire for improvement, regular attendance, focused practice and coachability. These expectations increase at each level (A, B, C) and each grade.  We encourage any player seeking advancement or a larger role to first respectfully ask their coach for guidance.

Our expectation for families: Your athlete's success, development and enjoyment of the sport depends on their own desire to participate. We request honest communication with your athlete between seasons to confirm their own desire to advance to the next grade's expectations. Roster spots, level increases and clutch situation minutes are earned by the athlete. 

Please remember we are a volunteer based association.  Coaches, team managers and board members are donating their time to help the kids play the game.  We will expect our coaches to follow the policies listed here, but we do not ask our coaches to manage playing time with stopwatches during the game.

While we strive to create a great experience for every athlete, CAA cannot tailor the program to each of the hundreds of families participating.  We believe youth sports teaches athletes to face adversity, find paths to success and handle occasional disappointment, both on and off the court.

Our expectation for coaches: CAA is committed to player development and prioritizes the experience of all players above team record. Coaches should find opportunities for each player on the roster to start games, finish games and play in clutch situations throughout the season.  Additionally, each player should expect to play approximately 40% or more of the total game minutes over the course of a tournament, with exceptions for specific situations such as injuries, absences, and foul trouble.  Any pre-planned reduction below 40% (for reasons other than in-game developments such as foul trouble or injury) should be communicated with the player and family.  

CAA's suggested approach is to plan every game for equal time, barring any planned disciplinary reductions.  During the game, the head coach should focus on the game while an assistant coach executes the planned substitutions.

Our commitment: CAA provides these guidelines to ensure everyone understands our priorities, while giving the coaches flexibility to coach the games as they are played. We encourage open, respectful and early communication between coaches, athletes and families to resolve any concerns before escalation to the board.

Revised July 2023

CAA Basketball programs are organized by grade. All participants must register within the program or league intended for their current grade in school. No playing up allowed in the Community League program. No player accepted into travel program via waiver from outside CAA Basketball boundary is eligible to play up. For travel program, all players must participate in first tryout session for their grade. If a 6th or 7th grade player exhibits in first tryout that they are clearly the best player in their grade, and CNHS coaches believe the player is potentially a top A player in a higher grade, CNHS coaches can choose to extend an invitation to that player to evaluate in the second session with the higher grade. The player can either accept or decline the invitation to evaluate in a higher grade. The player would then need to evaluate as a top A player in the higher grade during the second session, in order to be placed on the A team in the higher grade. Players invited to try out at a higher level will not be required to attend the second session for their own grade. Players invited to try out at a higher grade are eligible to be placed only on the A team. If they do not make the A team, they will be placed on the A team in their own grade.
 

CAA Policy for Transfers / Waiver (Travel Program Only)

CAA recognizes MYAS as our governing body for the travel basketball programs.  MYAS maintains the standard for roster eligibility, including player residency and transfers.  That policy, at the time of writing, is found here.  The policy continues to evolve and readers should ensure they are looking at the latest text, regardless of the specific link on this page.

CAA intention is to comply with MYAS policy first and foremost.  MYAS policy leaves some gaps and some details to the discretion of participating associations.  Therefore, CAA states the following policies and directional statements regarding our implementation of MYAS policy.

All transfers will be voted on before the season by the CAA Board of Directors.  The Board will vote in May on any requests received to date so the athlete can attend summer activities with their planned program.  Another vote will be held before the registration deadlines for requests received since the May vote.

While each request will be considered individually, CAA will apply the following criteria when deciding the merits of each request. 

The following scenarios are examples of acceptable transfer requests:

1. The athlete is enrolled in the school district of the accepting organization, either coming from or going to a district outside 112.
2. The athlete has limited transportation options to weeknight practices in their home association.
3. The athlete moved to the territory of a new home association, but strongly desires to finish their playing with their original association.
4. Athletes receiving waivers prior to the 2023/24 season will be grandfathered for their remaining seasons.

The following scenarios will not qualify for transfers:

1. Transfers between Chanhassen and Chaska except for situations matching one of the above.
2. Transfers requested in pursuit of alternate association policies, team placement or coaching.
3. Transfers requested as a form of conflict resolution with teammates or CAA.
4. Transfers which would exceed set MYAS limits or create an unfavorable numbers situation for CAA.
5. Transfers not desired by the receiving association