Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The Foxhole Court blends the high stakes of a sports story with the tension of a crime thriller. Did you find this fusion of genres effective? Which element of the story pulled you in the most?

2. The Foxes aren’t just underdogs fighting for a championship; they’re survivors fighting for their lives. How does this subvert the expectations of a traditional sports story, like those seen in works like Friday Night Lights or Hoosiers? Does this focus on trauma make their potential athletic victories feel more or less important?

3. What was your initial reaction to the book’s intense atmosphere and the constant threat of violence?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Neil’s decision to sign with the Foxes pits his lifelong survival instinct against his desire to truly live. If you were in his position, do you think the chance to pursue your greatest passion would be worth risking your life for?

2. What makes the Foxes’ bond as a “found family” so compelling, even with all its volatility? Have you ever been part of a group where the bonds felt stronger because of shared challenges? What do you think makes these chosen families so powerful?

3. How did you feel about Andrew’s methods of “testing” Neil, such as orchestrating the drugging incident in Columbia? Would you have responded the same way Neil did? Why or why not?

4. The sport of Exy is the one thing that makes Neil feel real, as it gives him a sense of purpose that outweighs immense danger. Can you think of a passion or goal in your own life that has given you a similar sense of identity or drive?

5. Neil’s secrecy dictates his every move and isolates him from the team. Did you find yourself sympathizing with his need for deception, or were you frustrated by the wall it created between him and others? What was it like to be inside the head of a character with so much to hide?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Coach Wymack intentionally recruits players from “broken homes,” creating a team that functions as a sanctuary for abuse survivors. This model mirrors real-world support systems for youth who have experienced significant trauma. How does the novel’s depiction of the Foxes as a collective survival mechanism reflect or challenge our understanding of how people build support networks when traditional family structures fail?

2. How does the book contribute to the ongoing conversation about mental health and the immense psychological pressure placed on elite athletes?

3. What does the hostile television interview with Kathy Ferdinand and Riko suggest about the media’s role in exploiting personal trauma for public consumption?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How do Neil and Andrew use performed identities and deception as tools for survival and control?

2. The narrative emphasizes the symbolism of keys, from the one to Wymack’s apartment to the one Andrew finally gives Neil for the house in Columbia. How do these keys trace Neil’s journey from being an isolated runaway to a member of a chosen family?

3. The motif of running is central to Neil’s character. How does the meaning of running transform for Neil as he moves from a life of pure survival to becoming a committed member of the Foxes?

4. Does Andrew Minyard function primarily as an antagonist or a protector in this book? How does the author use his volatile and unpredictable nature to drive Neil’s character development and escalate the plot’s tension?

5. What is the effect of the author withholding the full truth about the Moriyamas being a yakuza clan until after Neil is already entangled with the team?

6. How does the found family of the Foxes compare to other famous literary found families, such as the greasers in S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The Palmetto State Foxes are a team of outcasts and survivors. If you were tasked with creating a new team logo or motto that truly captures their fierce, dysfunctional, and protective spirit, what would it look like or say?

2. Imagine you are Coach Wymack reviewing potential new recruits. What questions would you ask a candidate to determine if they truly belong with the Foxes?

3. If you were a new player joining the team at the same time as Neil, which of the main factions, the upperclassmen or Andrew’s group, would you try to align yourself with for survival?