what is black club?
The Black Club program houses Team Esface’s most competitive teams and requires the most dedication from our families. This program is try-out-based and requires an invitation to join. Athletes that are invited to join the Black Club are normally in the top 10-15% of their grade in both skill and basketball IQ (decision making and knowing when and why to use specific skills).
Depending on the number of athletes qualified for the Black Club will dictate how many Black Club teams a grade has on any given season. Traditionally, we have at least one Black Club team per grade.
season structure:
Normally, we house Black Club teams in the Winter season (November - February) for 3rd - 8th-grade athletes and in the Spring-Summer (March / April - June / July), for 3rd - High School athletes).
TEAM ACTIVITIES:
Black Club meets at least twice a week for practices and has tournaments on weekends (some tournaments are single days, some are two days). On non-tournament weekends, Black Club teams will have team practices (normally on Saturdays). The tournament schedule will be revealed when athletes are invited to the team.
Traditionally, Black Club teams participate in one travel tournament per season and will be revealed when athletes are invited to sign up for packages. Travel and accommodation costs for athletes and their families are not included in the package fees.
ATTENDANCE FOR PRACTICE AND GAMES IS MANDATORY
Black Club teams also have off the court events (normally put on by the parents or coaches) for team bonding, these events are scheduled during the season.
black club features
COMPETE AGAINST THE BEST COMPETITION
Black Club players will compete against the highest competition in the Bay Area. They will travel locally to tournaments on select weekends and on non-tournament weekends there will typically be opportunities to compete and/or train in Team Esface gyms locally.
Black Club teams will also be entered into one regional travel tournament (health and safety protocols permitting). This travel tournament will require staying overnight (families are responsible for travel accommodations).
ATHLETIC ASSESSMENT
Every Black Club athlete will be given the opportunity to participate in an athletic assessment during the season. This athletic assessment will tell athletes more about their body and how they can improve their athletic performance while reducing risk for injury.
MENTAL TRAINING
Team Esface Players will be exposed to a curriculum that will help build confidence and mental fortitude on and off the court. We have partnered with Graham Betchart and a team of world-class mental skills coaches that have trained hundreds of professional athletes around the world with their curriculum. The exclusive content will bring your mental game to a new level.
ELITE COACHING & SKILL ASSESSMENT
Our professional coaching staff have coached and mentored hundreds of all athletes from all backgrounds. Our staff is professionally trained and undergoes year-round professional development to continue embarking on the relentless path to greatness.
At the end of every season, our coaches will provide a complete player evaluation for every player to help them improve during the off-season. These player evaluations include feedback re: tangible skills as well as intangibles based on our four elements of an athlete: Mind Body Heart Skill(™) paradigm.
how to JOIN
Black Club is by evaluation only. Every year during January and February, ALL current Team Esface players and ALL new interests must attend one of our Spring/Summer team evaluations in order to join a team. Please click the button below for details.
Most Black Club athletes join the Black Club through team evaluations.
Evaluation Schedule
We have an Academy-wide Evaluation at the beginning of the year (January or February), where all athletes evaluate to join a team.
After these main evaluations, players can attempt to join a team through our weekly “rolling” skill assessments, assuming there are roster spots available for their respective grade.
MORE ABOUT BLACK CLUB
LOOKING FOR PRIVATE TRAINING?
Our Transformation program gives players the opportunity to work with a Team Esface professional trainer to receive tailored in-person workouts coupled with an at-home digital “homework” training plan that will help your athlete accelerate growth and achieve their goals. Interested in transforming your athlete?