
Basketball Skill Classes
We have years of experience helping players from all around become better all-around players. No matter the age group or skill level, our sessions are as fun as they are informative. We offer seven levels of classes, all with progressive skill challenges in basketball development, for players ranging from kindergarten to high school seniors. Our basketball sessions are offered at a variety of days and times. These classes run in consecutive 5-week sessions and are 60 minutes in length. The cost for the entire 5-week session runs $110.
Players are grouped by ability (rather than age) as determined by a variety of measurable skill sets. Players that reach a defined skill level will advance to the next level. The curriculum is customized for the experience level of the players. Our goal is to help each player with his/her overall basketball improvement, but more importantly, we want each participant to develop a clear understanding of what it takes to get better.
Level 1: Just Starting
Approximately Grades K, 1. Must be at least 5 years old.
In this level, the basketball hoops will be lowered to 8 feet and players will use a smaller basketball. The goal is for them to start developing a joy for basketball while interacting with other children their age in a fun, friendly atmosphere. The activities at this level are more play oriented such as group relay races, shooting games, cone dribbling and group passing games. The main objective here is to work on hand-eye coordination and to have a ball in the children's hands so that they are dribbling, passing, catching or shooting as much as possible.
Level 2: Hoops for Fun
Approximately Grades 1, 2, 3
In this level the basketball hoops will be lowered to 9 feet for this level to allow for players to learn and maintain proper shooting form. This level is geared towards younger players with limited experience. We will introduce the basic lines on the court as well as basic basketball rules such as traveling, double dribble, and fouls. The curriculum will focus on stationary ball handling (learning to get comfortable with the ball), dribbling, passing and catching techniques, jump stops and pivots, and basic defensive stance. Most importantly, players will develop proper shooting form to set them up with good habits from a young age. Games such as dribble tag or basketball relays will be played to make the class fun while we build towards playing in a real game situation.
Level 3: Basketball Basics I (Beginner)
Geared towards tween players new to basketball (or with limited game experience) in addition to younger players that have advanced through our program and have been identified by coaches as a player ready to play on a 10-foot hoop. This session is designed to help players solidify proper shooting mechanics. In addition, they will continue work on both a dominant and weak hand layup. When we do the layup maze, we encourage them to shoot with the right hand on the right side of the basket and the left hand on the left side of the basket. The curriculum will focus on stationary dribbling skills, change of direction and combination dribble moves, strong and weak handed one-foot lay-ups, passing on the move, zig-zag defensive slides and spot up shooting.
Level 4: Basketball Basics II (Advanced)
This level is designed for players with an abundance of competitive game experience on a 10-foot hoop. This session is designed to help experienced players maintain proper shooting mechanics using both hands and both directions. Advanced players in this level must already have the ability to shoot a dominant hand layup with proper footwork as well as a jump shot with proper mechanics on a 10-foot hoop. We will continue work on the weak hand layup and the mechanics of maintaining a balanced shot. When we do the layup maze, we expect them to shoot with the right hand on the right side of the basket and the left hand on the left side of the basket. The curriculum will focus on stationary dribbling skills, advanced change of direction and combination dribble moves, weak handed one-foot layups, jab step and swing through moves, passing on the move, zig-zag defensive slides and shooting on the move.
Level 5: Individual Skills and Fundamentals
This session is designed for experienced players preparing to enter middle school basketball. All athletes in this level should be able to demonstrate proper footwork while shooting both right and left hand layups using their proper hand to shoot. They should have no problem doing the layup maze using both hands. Solid ball handling skills with both the right and left hand are also a pre-requisite for this course. The curriculum will focus on advanced, in-place dribbling skills with both hands, dribble moves to score on both sides of the court, reading screens, post moves, rebounding, getting open on the wing, wing denial, conditioning and advanced offensive and defensive footwork. Controlled scrimmaging will be used to display skills in a real game environment.
Level 6: Advanced Strategy Concepts
This session is designed for players preparing for high school basketball. The curriculum will focus on ball handling and scoring at game speeds. We'll also focus on advanced drill work in all aspects of the game including detailed offensive, defensive footwork and shooting consistency. Offensive one-on-one drills will improve player ability to both move and score efficiently. Defensive work will focus on defending the dribble-drive in addition to working together to play team defense.
Level 7: Varsity Enhancement
This session is designed for advanced players, generally with high school basketball experience. These high intensity training sessions are conducted in a small group setting, designed to help each athlete perform to his or her highest level. Players will work on fine-tuning the offensive details including post moves, multiple dribble-drive moves to the hoop, as well as the ability to shoot from both the dribble and the pass. On the defensive end, players will develop strategies to guard every position on the court, from point guard to center.