NEW TO THE PROGRAM? Start Here for most common Q&A
Posted by Lee Spooner on 4/11/2017
If you have a question that isn't listed here please email it to me.
Lee.Spooner@ymcasenc.org
Welcome to the YMCA Itty Bitty Basketball Program!
Below are the common questions we receive from the families in our program. As a parent myself, I welcome you to the world of organized sports, for many of you this will become a part of your weekly life for many years to come. The Wilmington Family YMCA started providing youth sports back in 1975, in that time our biggest take away is that kids play sports to have fun....that's it. Therefore our #1 goal is that the player has fun in our programs.
Itty Bitty Introduction Program Q&A
3 to 5 Year-Olds
Q: What time are practice and games?
A: Our Itty Bitty group meets on Wednesdays at 5 PM and do not play games on Saturdays. We meet at the YMCA Gymnasium at 2710 Market Street, Wilmington NC 28403.
Q: What is our goal with 3, 4 & 5 year olds?
A: We will show the kids how to play with a basketball, but our goal is for them to have fun. By the end of the 8 sessions we would like the group to be able to conduct a scrimmage successfully.
Q: My kid already plays with a ball. What's so different?
A: We're using a basketball, and so we want to play with specific goals in mind. You'll learn to recognize when your child is performing a maneuver versus a directionless throw.
Q: What equipment does my child need?
A: None at all! For players ages 3, 4 & 5. A ball should be purchased for practice at home but The YMCA provides a ball for every player, we even ask you NOT to bring a ball to your clinic as this helps with the "that's my ball" for our coaches.
Q: Sounds like work. How do you measure progress?
A: With the smiles that we see each week, it can hardly be called work! If each player has a smile and is having fun with their coach, that's success. We also want each player to strive to perform passes and dribbling correctly, but we'll gladly accept big throws and theatrical falling if the player really wants to show off those skills.
Q: But my kid just might stand there and not participate. What do we do then?
A: They are 3, 4 & 5 year olds, and as long as we keep that in mind, they are doing exactly what they should be doing. Some players are daredevils, the first to volunteer, the first to fall down and get dirty. Others need to watch a little bit in order to feel comfortable. We'll certainly help you coax your player out of his or her shell, but it's really up to them. Your job is to get them to the court and give it a try. Don't worry - nearly every child out there has a player in them and will start participating within the first couple weeks.
Q: How can you expect to control a group of kids at one time?
A: We play basketball related games that are fun. We involve parents as the next age group up our league uses volunteer coaches, majority of them being parents of 5 & 6. We offer free on-line training and hands on training with kids prior to the season.
Q: Will my child learn real basketball?
A: Of course they won't learn real basketball! Very few children have the "big picture" skills necessary to play sports. We consider the kids to be playing "at" basketball until they turn 6. Here are some examples of activities participants will do during their season: 1) warming up activities and fun exercises without the ball, 2) some basics soccer activities such as kicking and stopping the ball, and 3) dribbling with the ball to a goal. Each player will have their own ball - trying to score on MOM or DAD. At this age passing and playing together is not what the young player wants to do. They also play ball games like green light/red light, sharks and minnows, and others. Many brief water breaks will give the participants plenty of opportunities to rest and socialize with their parents/guardians or fellow new friends.
A: Of course they won't learn real basketball! Very few children have the "big picture" skills necessary to play sports. We consider the kids to be playing "at" basketball until they turn 6. Here are some examples of activities participants will do during their season: 1) warming up activities and fun exercises without the ball, 2) some basics soccer activities such as kicking and stopping the ball, and 3) dribbling with the ball to a goal. Each player will have their own ball - trying to score on MOM or DAD. At this age passing and playing together is not what the young player wants to do. They also play ball games like green light/red light, sharks and minnows, and others. Many brief water breaks will give the participants plenty of opportunities to rest and socialize with their parents/guardians or fellow new friends.
Q: My child is 5 should we enroll them in Itty Bitty Clinics or as a Halo League (Program of YMCA) player?
A: Every child is different and you know them better than us. You know if your child is shy, does well with direction, sharing and ability level. The average player only plays one or two seasons as an Itty Bitty player. Kids (and parents) are always nervous about moving up. This does not go away. It is normal for a child to play up but not play down. Our concern is that your child enjoys coming to basketball.
Itty Bitty Introduction Program
3, 4 & 5 years old new to basketball. First or second time playing. This is an introduction program with 10 kids per team. They only meet on day a week, in their uniform and on a basketball court just like the big kids. The difference is they do not play against another team but have enough kids to scrimmage. Young players must adapt to a sport. Most common things I see and hear "they took my ball", "they kicked me", "they pushed me". This can all be an intimidating experience. We feel scrimmages are better than games. Example: You are four years old and it is the 3rd day you have ever played basketball. Coach yells go and you have the ball, look up and 5 kids are running at you to take that ball away. Our Itty Bitty program helps players adjust to interacting with others, sharing, working as a group, shooting the ball....but most of all having fun. Scrimmaging with your teammates is a lot less abrasive.
U6 Divisions - Halo Hoops (A Y Program)
5 & 6 year olds new or returning to soccer. Some experience playing any sport as a group. Ample playground time would also count as group experience. U6 Division meet one day a week for practice. 30 min to 45 min depending on your coach and then play a game on Saturday mornings.
A: Every child is different and you know them better than us. You know if your child is shy, does well with direction, sharing and ability level. The average player only plays one or two seasons as an Itty Bitty player. Kids (and parents) are always nervous about moving up. This does not go away. It is normal for a child to play up but not play down. Our concern is that your child enjoys coming to basketball.
Itty Bitty Introduction Program
3, 4 & 5 years old new to basketball. First or second time playing. This is an introduction program with 10 kids per team. They only meet on day a week, in their uniform and on a basketball court just like the big kids. The difference is they do not play against another team but have enough kids to scrimmage. Young players must adapt to a sport. Most common things I see and hear "they took my ball", "they kicked me", "they pushed me". This can all be an intimidating experience. We feel scrimmages are better than games. Example: You are four years old and it is the 3rd day you have ever played basketball. Coach yells go and you have the ball, look up and 5 kids are running at you to take that ball away. Our Itty Bitty program helps players adjust to interacting with others, sharing, working as a group, shooting the ball....but most of all having fun. Scrimmaging with your teammates is a lot less abrasive.
U6 Divisions - Halo Hoops (A Y Program)
5 & 6 year olds new or returning to soccer. Some experience playing any sport as a group. Ample playground time would also count as group experience. U6 Division meet one day a week for practice. 30 min to 45 min depending on your coach and then play a game on Saturday mornings.