Basketball Modifications

Kindergarten-Second Grade

		Use a play group style of organization for this group
		Use balls that are 28.5 cm in circumference or smaller
		Baskets should not be higher than 6'
		Limit practices/games to one session per week total
		Sessions should not last longer than one hour
		Limit the season to 6 weeks
		The majority of the focus should be on dribbling; most other instruction will
		be too advanced
		If "games" are desired, limit play to 3 v 3; use the subs as sideline players to
		inbound balls (1)

Third-Fifth Grade

		Games should be no more than 30 stopped minutes; play no more than one
		game per week
		Limit practice to 60 minutes per week
		Game and practice can be combined to one 90-minute weekly session
		Baskets should be 8' high for 3rd and 4th grades; 9' high for 5th grade
		Use smaller balls
		NO CUTS
		Limit roster to 8 players
		During games play 3 v 3 so that every player gets many touches of the ball
		Limit the season to 12 weeks
		Let the kids keep the scorebook
		Do not have playoffs or keep league standings (1)

Sixth-Eighth Grade

		Limit roster to 10 players max; 8 is ideal
		Play 5 v 5 basketball with all players getting equal playing time at all positions
		The basket should be 10' high for the first time
		6th graders should be practicing twice a week for 90 minutes max
		7th and 8th graders can practice three times a week
		Do not use complicated plays
		Use man-to-man defense
		Limit the ration of practice to games to 2:1
		Limit the season to 12 games
		Playoffs are OK but all teams should be involved (1)

Organized basketball should begin only in 3rd grade or later (1)

Example of an Alternative Basketball Program

A great example of an alternative basketball league can be found in Woburn, Massachusetts. The name of the league is the Ninth and Tenth Grade Intermediate
League. What is special about this league is the lack of adults that are involved. The
freshmen and sophomore players who are involved act as coach, captain and
everything in between. The only adults involved, besides the league director, are
the paid officials. The league director reported not only positive feedback from the
sophomores who were trying to convince him to let them continue playing as
juniors, but also from the officials who enjoyed the silence from the sidelines and
stands (1).

References

(1) Bigelow, B., Moroney, T. & Hall, L. (2001). Just Let the Kids Play: How to Stop
Other Adults from Ruining Your Child’s Fun and Success in Youth Sports. Deerfield
Beach, FL: Health Communications, Inc.