BASKETBALL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL DETAILS & LOGISTICS
How long has Global Squad been around?
Since 2011, our womenâs program first launched in 2018.
How long is the Summer Academy (dates)?
This year players will arrive on June 27th and leave on July 28th
How should players arrive?
Most players will fly into Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). A lot of parents drop off their players by vehicle. We do NOT provide transportation from any airports besides Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
How do you handle airport pickups?
We have a shuttle system in place that has worked extremely well for 9 years. Students will be met at baggage claim by one of our coaches. You will receive that personâs name, contact, and description before arrival. That coach will escort your son/daughter to the shuttle. You will get the contact info and details of the driver as well. Your son/daughter will be under our close supervision for the duration of camp.
How do you handle airport drop-offs?
Similar to the pickup procedure. Your son/daughter will be taken in the shuttle to the airport. Once they arrive a coach will provide an escort to check-in and security. Youâll know the details of who is driving and escorting them to security before they depart.
Can we fly into/out of another airport?
You can, but you are responsible for providing transportation for your son/daughter to the GS campus if you do this. We will NOT provide transportation to or from any other airports.
What ages can attend the Summer Academy?
We have players from rising 8th grade through upcoming high school graduates. Every once in a while, weâve accepted highly developed 6th and 7th graders.
Where is the Summer Academy located?
We use two campuses in Pennsylvania and one in Maryland. Mercersburg Academy is about an hour north of Washington DC. The Hill School is about an hour west of Philadelphia. These campuses are about 2 hours from each other. Saint James School, our location for our women’s basketball players is in Hagerstown, Maryland. This school is about 30 minutes away from Mercersburg Academy.
Tell me about the locations?
Our younger group of players (8th â 10th graders) will be at Mercersburg Academy. The upperclassmen will be at The Hill School. Our women’s athletes of all grades will be at Saint James School.
Why do you have three locations?
The reason is because the two groups of players have two very different objectives. The older players are at camp to get exposure and train. The younger group is focused on development since they are not yet a finished product. The women are separate for safety and security purposes as well as to ensure court space.
BASKETBALL & ACTIVITIES
Do the players have any days off?
We have one day off scheduled, but we usually end up having 3-4 days off throughout the month. If we see players need a day to rest or if temperatures in the area become extreme, then we make the call. Weâll take them to the movies, bowling, or do some other fun activity to keep them busy, but off their feet.
How do players/teams get around?
We have team vans that are driven by our coaches. Players are only allowed to leave campus in these vans with the rest of the team or in a vehicle driven by our resident life directors in case of an injury or illness.
What about college/prep school tours?
We have several school tours every summer. This gives the players a chance to ask questions, see facilities, and get comfortable going through the recruiting process.
Do the players have downtime?
The players will have about 3 hours between practice and dinner. They also have about an hour and a half after the evening training and bedtime. There is around an hour of downtime between the morning session and lunch too. We also can provide a classroom and study hall time for players who need to spend some time on their studies.
Should we wait to develop one more year before attending the Summer Academy?
While we understand that line of thinking, we always recommend players join Global Squad as soon as possible. The sooner a player sees the training techniques and drills the sooner they can implement them into their routine. If you wait a year and do what youâve already been doing then youâll fall behind. Development is one of our main objectives and itâs what weâre very good at. Developing your game with us is the best thing you can do.
Can my son/daughter play up for the Gold team?
We almost never move a player up to the Gold team if they are not a rising senior. The Gold teams are at camp to get recruited and that is 90% of what they do. It isnât realistic and is unfair for a younger player to worry about recruiting or which college coaches are watching. Younger players need to focus on getting better and learning from our amazing coaching staff. We will set them on a path to help them reach their potential. Also, the red teams will be playing elite players their own age. They will be challenged every step of the way. Many of our campers return to our camp allowing them to experience both the red and gold programs.
How are the teams divided?
The teams are divided by age. We hold a skill testing and athletic testing session on day 1 to see where the players stand. This will help if we need to make any adjustments.
What is a typical weekend like?
On the weekend we play in very challenging tournaments against elite teams and players at large sports facilities. They will also get to do some sight seeing and college visits in the US.
What morning stations do you have?
The morning stations include a shooting station, skill development, weight training, and a classroom session.
What is a typical week like?
Training, weight training, and practice are Monday thru Friday. We have four 45-minute stations every morning from 8:45 â 12:00. After lunch they have team practice for about an hour and a half. After dinner we have a variety of activities that change from day-to-day. Sometimes we have another skill session, focusing on a specific skill. Other days weâll have a contest like 3-on-3, 21, or 1-on-1. We also have guest speakers visit camp.
RECRUITING
Will you help the kids with recruiting once the Summer Academy concludes?
Yes. This is probably the most valuable part of our recruiting program. Weâre about relationships and we want to make sure players go to the right school. Our staff spends the next 9-10 months contacting coaches, sending film, and maximizing the recruiting opportunities for Global Squad players.
Do you only place players on the east coast?
No. We have players playing college basketball all over the U.S. From Maine to Florida and from New Jersey to Hawaii. The reason weâre able to do this is because our network has grown. College coaches trust our program and college coaches attend these events on the east coast. The east coast has the best high school basketball in the world (ESPN).
Will there be university & high school recruiting exposure?
Yes. Players get seen by close to 1500 coaches each summer. That is not an exaggeration. We play against some the best teams in the U.S. in some of the biggest and best events.
Do you guarantee scholarships/college ball?
No. The only thing we guarantee is the players will get elite training and a lot of exposure. Itâs up to the player to play well and display Global Squad qualities while coaches are watching.
Do you place kids at U.S. high schools?
Yes, every year we have several players that attend high schools and private boarding schools in the U.S. We have a great network of high academic and good basketball schools where we send players. Weâve placed players at high academic prep schools like New Hampton Prep, Cheshire Academy, Mercersburg Academy, Blair Academy and Andover. We generally place players in high schools on the east coast, specifically the mid-Atlantic and northeast. These regions have the best high school basketball in the world (ESPN).
FACILITY & LIVING
Does the dining hall cater to special diets?
Yes. Weâve dealt with everything including food allergies, vegans, vegetarians, and those with religious restrictions.
Where do the players eat?
Players eat in the dining hall: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is a concession stand open in the evenings where they can buy pizza, snacks, and Gatorade to hold them over if needed. They are allowed to have snacks in their room too.
Who cleans rooms? Does laundry?
Players are responsible for keeping their rooms clean, picking up trash, doing and folding laundry. We take this seriously and hold kids accountable. Weâre trying to build life skills and responsible young people. Some of the best compliments we get are from parents who have a son/daughter returning home who cleans up and does his/her own laundry.
How many players are assigned to each room?
Depending on the room size there will be 2-4 players per room.
Where do the players stay?
Players stay in the dorms. Theyâre very comfortable with A/C and a common room where they can relax.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Do the players get overworked?
Our athletic performance team, headed up by Chris Gorres, specializes in injury prevention. They do a great job of monitoring the workload. These trainers work with the best athletes in the world and will take very good care of our Global Squad players.
Do you provide insurance?
We are not able to provide insurance, players are required to have travel and medical insurance.
How close is the hospital?
There is a hospital 10 minutes from The Hill School, 20 minutes from Mercersburg Academy, and 15 minutes from Saint James School.
How are injuries handled?
We have a tremendous athletic performance team that helps with injury prevention and rehab. We have an athletic trainer that deals with minor injuries like ankle sprains. We take players to the hospital when it is needed.
SAFETY & SECURITY
How safe is the campus?
All campuses are gated with 24/7 security. Also, our 3 to 1 player to coach ratio allows for constant supervision.
Do your coaches go through background checks?
NCAA coaches and coaches that work Global Squad are required to get USA Basketball Gold Certified. This certification comes with a full criminal background check. Additionally, coaches are required to comply with Mercersburg Academyâs background safety procedures which include them getting an extensive background check.
How is the staff hired?
Our coaches have been in the college basketball world for many years and must come highly recommended. Many of our coaches have been with us for years.
REGISTRATION & COST
Should we send players with cash or cc?
Cash is more widely accepted and easier for the concessions on campus and at tournaments, but they will be able to use a Credit Card as well.
How much money should players bring?
Players will need to pay for laundry, concession stand, 8 meals, and team activities. Some activities include movies, shopping malls, and bowling. $10 – $20 per day should be enough. This depends on your child’s shopping and eating habits.
How do you handle visaâs?
We write everyone an official invitation letter upon request. This can be taken to the U.S. Consulate or Embassy. We have never had anyone rejected when using one of these letters.
What does the Summer Academy include?
Food, housing, training, games, recruiting, etc. We do not cover lunch and dinner on the weekends. With different game schedules, itâs too difficult to plan. Essentially players cover 8 meals all month as well as any team excursions including shopping, bowling, movies, etc..
Does the cost include plane tickets?
No. We leave this up to the families so they can meet any special accommodations necessary for their child’s transportation.
How much does the Summer Academy cost?
The summer academy costs $5,925. That comes out to about $185 per day. The food and housing alone is about $100 per day. So the other $85 pays for games, recruiting, training with an NBA trainer, and learning from 40+ NCAA coaches. Itâs a tremendous bargain.
OTHER CONCERNS
Can players observe religious customs?
Yes. Weâve yet to be in a situation where we havenât been able to meet a request. Global Squad truly is a melting pot with players coming from over 60 countries and many different backgrounds. This will not be an issue.
Can a coach come watch the Summer Academy?
Absolutely. We love when coaches come see what weâre doing. The program is great on paper, but itâs even better in person. In fact, youâre invited to come check it out. Come shadow one of our college coaches.
What if my player gets homesick?
We have Directors of Residence Life at each of our campuses to help when players get homesick. Sometimes we see players get homesick in the first week or two. Camp is challenging and getting homesick is normal. By the time camp ends these players donât want to leave.
Are parents allowed to visit?
Absolutely, we love when parents come see what weâre doing. Many parents attend our tournaments on the weekends. The only request that we have is that you do not interrupt our training sessions during the week.
How do you handle curfew? Bedtime?
Players must be in their rooms by 10PM with lights out by 10:30PM. The internet is cut off at 11. We believe in the scientific evidence that suggests screen time late at night is not productive for a good nights rest. Itâs vital for these players to get rest with the physical demands they face at camp. We have staff that go around and check to make sure the athletes are in bed and sleeping by lights out.
How do you handle discipline?
Fortunately we have not experienced many behaviorally issues. The main reason is these players and their families are making a huge sacrifice to be at camp. They also are usually very determined to get the most out of camp. Players will run for minor issues like messy rooms and being late to practice. Major problems like fighting or leaving campus will result in being sent home. We have zero tolerance for players leaving campus. Players will be briefed when arriving to camp of all of our rules and the consequences they will face if they break them.
OVERSEAS CAMPS FAQ
