Frequently Asked Questions:
1. When does the season start?
Upper Divisions = Saturday, November 14, 2026
Lower Divisions = Saturday, December 5, 2026
2. When does the season end?
Upper Divisions = Sunday, February 7, 2027
Lower Divisions = Sunday, February 14, 2027
3. When are the games?
Games will be on the following Saturdays or Sundays, depending on gender and age group. There are no games on December 26 or 27, 2026. Detailed game schedule(s) will be available in mid-November.
November 14 or 15, 2026 (Upper Divisions only)
November 21 or 22, 2026 (Upper Divisions only)
December 5 or 6, 2026
December 12 or 13, 2026
December 19 or 20, 2026
January 2 or 3, 2027
January 9 or 10, 2027
January 16 or 17, 2027
January 23 or 24, 2027
January 30 or 31, 2027
February 6 or 7, 2027
February 13 or 14, 2027 (Lower Divisions only)
4. What age groups are in the Lower Divisions and Upper Divisions?
Lower Divisions consists of Pre-Kindergarten to 2nd grade boys and girls.
Upper Divisions consists of 4th grade to 8th grade boys and girls.
3rd grade boys and girls have the choice to play in either the Lower or Upper Divisions. Click here for more information about the differences.
5. Will there be separate divisions for boys and girls? Are the teams co-ed?
There are separate divisions for boys and girls. Teams are NOT co-ed.
6. Will there be separate divisions for every grade level?
It depends on actual enrollment numbers. If there are enough players in a grade level to form sufficient teams, there will be a separate division. If there are NOT enough players in a grade level to form sufficient teams, multiple grades will be combined into a division.
7. Where will the games be played?
All games will be played indoors at facilities in Palos Verdes. The current indoor venues for the upper divisions are Peninsula High School Main Gym, Peninsula High School Field House Gym, Palos Verdes High School Gym, Miraleste Intermediate School Gym, and the Christ Lutheran School Gym. The lower divisions will play at The Lab at the Promenade Mall.
8. Will there be makeups if games are cancelled due to weather?
Unfortunately, we are unable to reschedule any games that are canceled due to weather. For games played indoors we do not anticipate any cancellation due to weather conditions.
9. What will be the game format?
In the Lower Divisions, players will practice with coaches for 25 minutes then be split up into smaller squads for 25 minutes of 3-on-3 half-court games against the opposing team.
Upper Divisions will play 4-on-4 or 5-on-5 full court games.
10. When and where are the practices?
For Lower Divisions, practice will occur during the first 25 minutes of each week’s game.
For Upper Divisions, the head coach will set the weekly practice day, time, and location.
11. Why is there mandatory player assessment?
Lower Division players do NOT need to attend the assessment, unless the player intends to "play up" in the Upper Division.
Upper Division players must attend the assessment in order for coaches to properly evaluate their abilities. This enables the teams to be formed fairly and prevent "stacked" teams.
12. When is the mandatory player assessment?
Upper Division Boys will be assessed on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Upper Division Girls will be assessed on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
More details on assessments will be sent closer to the date. Unassessed players will NOT be placed on a team!
13. My child has other activities (plays other sports) (plays in another league) during the season, is it okay to miss practices or games?
Our Lower Division program is non-competitive and designed to develop fundamental skills as well as promote continual interest in the game. Missing a few games during the season is okay.
Upper Division games are competitive with standings and playoffs. Teams are formed by draft after assessment to ensure balance and fairness. Players are expected to attend all team activities. Missing practices or games is detrimental and unfair to the rest of the team. Repeatedly missing practices may result in league-sanctioned reduction in playing time during games.
14. When will the coach contact me?
Teams will be formed in late-October. You should hear from your child's coach in early-November.
15. What does the Registration Fee cover?
Personalized, reversible jersey and shorts (reusable in future season), court time, CIF-qualified referees, photo package, commemorative pin, trophies for top teams in the Upper Divisions.
16. Do you offer sibling discounts?
While we do not offer sibling discounts, we do offer discounts for reusing uniforms.
17. Do you provide participation trophies?
We do not provide trophies for participation. Instead, every player will receive a limited-edition, commemorative pin.
18. What is your refund policy?
Monday, August 31, 2026 is the last day to request refunds. All requests must be emailed to Registrar@PVYBL.com.
19. How can I personalize my child's jersey and shorts?
You will be able to request the name on the jersey and the top 3 choices of numbers during registration. The PVYBL Board reserves the right to deny any inappropriate requests.
20. Can I buy a jersey for myself?
Coaches and assistant coaches have the option to purchase a personalized league jersey during enrollment. Anyone can purchase a jersey on our website store at PVYBL.com/store.
21. What size basketball will be used?
Size 4 (25.5") for Pre-Kindergarten to 1st grade boys and girls
Size 5 (27.5") for 2nd grade & 3rd grade boys and girls
Size 6 (28.5") for 4th to 5th grade boys and 4th to 12th grade girls
Size 7 (29.5") for 6th to 12th grade boys
22. What basket height will be used?
7 feet for Pre-Kindergarten to 1st grade.
8 feet for 2nd grade and 3rd grade in the Lower Division.
10 feet for 3rd grade in the Upper Division and 4th grade to 12th grade.
23. Is my child too young to play?
While we do not have a minimum age requirement, it will be a more enjoyable experience if your child is physically able to shoot a Size 4 (25.5") basketball into an 7-foot basket.
24. My family does not live in Palos Verdes, can my child still play?
Yes. Everyone is welcome to enroll.
25. Can I request that my child play for a particular coach or with specific player(s)?
For Lower Divisions, you may make requests during registration and we will do our best to accommodate.
For Upper Divisions, no requests will be honored. In order to form fair and competitive teams, all players are assessed and drafted.
26. Can I ask my child to be transferred to another team after the teams are formed?
Unfortunately no. Upper Divisions teams are formed by draft after assessment to ensure balance and fairness.
Lower Divisions teams are formed by requests and schools. Our Division Coordinators spend a lot of time honoring all the received requests. Changing teams after they are formed will cause a lot of extra work for the DCs.
27. Can I request that my child play up/down a division because he is very talented/inexperienced?
Yes. You may make the request during registration. The PVYBL Board and coaches will review on a case-by-case basis.
28. Does the league ever suggest or encourage playing down?
The coaches and Board will occasionally suggest that certain players play down a division so that they may have a better opportunity to learn and improve. We find that such players benefit greatly from playing down and are usually ready to fully participate with their own age group the following year.
29. Can I coach my child's team?
Yes! Please register as a Volunteer. You will be asked some background information to initiate the automated background check process with Protect Youth Sports. Please be assured that this form is encrypted for security and PVYBL does not retain any information in this section.
Please attend a Coaches Clinic on either Sunday, October 25, 2026 from 1PM to 2PM or Sunday, November 1, 2026 from 10AM to 11AM.
30. Can an older sibling coach my child's team?
Yes! We welcome youth volunteers. This is a great community service opportunity for high school students. Please see pvybl.com/youthcoaches more details.
Please attend the mandatory Youth Volunteers Meeting on Sunday, October 25, 2026 from 2PM to 3PM.
31. What is the time commitment to be a coach?
In the Lower Divisions, the commitment is only 1 hour a week, always on a weekend.
In the Upper Divisions, you will run one 1-hour practice per week and coach one 1-hour game each weekend. You choose the practice day, time, and location that is convenient for you and your family.
32. Can I or another family member be the Scorekeeper?
Yes! Adults and youths are both welcome to be Scorekeepers at the Upper Division games. Please see pvybl.com/scorekeepers for more details.
Please attend the mandatory Scorekeepers Training on Sunday, October 25, 2026 from 3PM to 4PM.
33. Are there other opportunities to volunteer?
Yes! PVYBL is 100% run by volunteers and we welcome the help of like-minded parents. Some of the opportunities include Division Coordinator, Coach, Assistant Coach, Team Parent, Court Manager, Scorekeeper, and Photographer. Please indicate your interest during registration.
34. My child has been placed on the WAITLIST. How does it work?
If you child is placed on the waitlist, it means the division is currently full. We will add more teams if there are enough players and coaches. If they are not placed on a team before the season starts, you will receive a full refund.
35. Can players wear earrings during games?
For safety reasons (to self and others), players in the Upper Divisions are NOT allowed to wear earrings (even if covered with a bandage) during the games. Please have your child remove them prior to playing.
In the Lower Divisions games, studs intended solely to keep a new piercing from closing are acceptable if properly and completely covered with a bandage.
36. Are pets allowed at games?
No. Pets are NOT allowed inside the gyms
37. I have other questions that have not been answered above?
Please e-mail Support@PVYBL.com.