-- Objectives --

            The Gold Bar Mini-Mites Girls and Boys basketball program will be run based on the following objectives. Everything we do at practices or any other activity involving the group will be designed to conform with these objectives.

Safety:

            Your kids’ safety is the highest priority. It’s not always easy to get kids in this age group to act in the interest of their own safety, but I will certainly endeavor to do so. Last year we’ve had two rather minor incidents and no real injuries, which is good. I have some first aid training and a lot of experience with the sprains and bruises that are common in basketball. I also have all parents’ phone numbers in case of emergency when you are not in the gym with us. Any suggestions you may have to increase the safety of the program would be welcome.

Fitness:

            One of the main reasons parents start their kids in activities is to promote a healthy lifestyle. This basketball program should be part of that. Obviously, a once-a-week activity cannot be the sole source of fitness for our kids, but participation in the mini-mite program will go a long way to starting our kids on the right path toward a fit lifestyle. Our program will dedicate at least fifteen minutes each week to movement drills and games aimed at developing running, jumping and other basketball related movements that will elevate the fitness level of the players as well as increase their readiness to play basketball. In addition, we will strive to keep the kids moving the whole time they are there. This is sometimes not easy as the kids’ skills will not always be at the level of their energy. Sometimes we have to slow them down to teach them something, which is an unfortunate reality of beginning anything. As much as possible, though we will keep them moving.

Teamwork:

            Basketball is a team game. I’m one of those people who think it’s important to learn team skills such as cooperation, mutual support and working together toward a common goal through team sports. As a result I tend to focus on these things in coaching basketball. Players should learn to support their team-mates, work together in game situations and to subjugate individual needs to the needs of the group. We saw significant development in this area last year.

Sportsmanship/Fairplay:

            Basketball is an excellent vehicle through which to develop sportsmanship. In my experience, the “win at all cost” attitude does not pervade this sport as it does some others. There is a line we do not cross in striving for victory and a win that compromises sportsmanship in some way is not viewed as honorable. At levels I have coached (up to 16 year olds) there is no significant trash talking or cheap shots. This is the main element I find preferable about basketball as compared to hockey. As a coach I have always tried to role model sportsmanship for players and parents and encouraged and enforced the practice of sportsmanship in athletes.

Skills:

            This program, which currently includes players from five to eight years of age, can be a huge springboard for them into the world of more competitive basketball. I have been told that it’s pointless to start kids in basketball before age seven. I think that’s silly, particularly having seen how well some of the younger kids have done in this program last year. The games and drills we do in these practices are designed to bring skills along slowly for all the kids. I have split the under eight (mini-mite) age group into two sub groups this year based on age and experience so that we can target skill development drills more appropriately than we could last year when we had such a wide range of ages and abilities in the gym each week. By grouping the players for certain drills and games we can always ensure that our little athletes can work at their own level and not feel out of place.

            Personally I would encourage players to start young and stick with the program year after year. I think we can turn out players who are in the mini-mite program for three or more years (mine will be in it for at least four) with very high skill levels at age eight. One advantage of this is that higher skill levels lead to greater perceived success and enhanced enjoyment of the game. This creates a cycle that leads to a lifestyle conducive to fitness, health and teamwork.

FUN!:

            Let’s face it, it’s not worth it if it’s not fun. There’s no boot camp mentality. If the kids aren’t having fun, someone had better tell the coach so changes can be made and the players enjoy being there. That’s not to say every player will be having the time of their life every moment of every practice, but at this level in particular having fun is an objective in and of itself. There is a real need to develop a LOVE OF THE GAME in the kids that will translate into enthusiasm and enthusiastic participation in what will hopefully be a lifetime of sports.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
E MAIL JEFF CHAMBERLIN
Jeff.chamberlin@pearsoned.com