Little Ballers League is the next step for kids ages 4-8 that have participated in at least one of little BALLERS 45 minute 8 week or 10 week semesters. Little Ballers League end goal is to equip kids with the tools they need to be able to play confidently in 5 on 5 basketball games. Little Ballers League classes are 1 hour long and are divided into two age categories; ages 4 to 5 and 6 to 8. Each class is divided up into two parts:
Part 1:
45 minutes of stretching, warmups, and focused skill development activities. During this window of time participants are led through a series of movement drills, basic strength patterns, speed and agility drills (running, sprinting, cutting, BlazePod activities), jumping drills (box jumps, quick feet step ups, agility ladder drills, agility hurdle drills, broad jumps, lateral hops, single leg jumps, lunges, squats), throwing exercises to develop upper body strength & coordination (med ball tossing, bean bag tossing, tennis ball tossing), and drills that develop fundamental basketball skills such as passing, shooting, dribbling, rebounding, and defence.
Part 2:
15 minutes of playing against each other. During this time participants are divided up into teams of 2, 3, or 4 (depending on the total number of participants in each class) and are given Little Ballers League numbered practice pinnies so they can easily identify the other players on their team. Participants play on a half court and use adjustable little BALLERS hoops which are set at a height that is comfortable for players to shoot on. Unlike a traditional 5 on 5 basketball game where there are coaches on the sidelines and refs on the court, the basketball coach is also the referee (referee/coach) and is right on the court with the players. The referee/coach guides both teams. Coaching and reffing is done while kids are actually in the midst of their games. Stoppages in play happen sporadically throughout the game so participants are taught as they play. The ref’s/coach’s role is to gently introduce the rules of the game, inform participants when violations are made, ensure that the fundamentals that are taught in part 1 are being performed, introduce participants to basketball IQ concepts such as knowing when to pass the ball at appropriate times, how to play efficiently, developing court awareness, make decisions with the ball, and to move without the ball. Referee/coaches also ensure that substitutions are made so each player plays equally, and that players are playing safely and respectfully.
Our plan is to run LB League as often as we can. We hope that you will sign your children up at least the week prior to the 1st of each month so that we know how many kids will be coming in each monthly session. Those who register midway through various months can register at prorated rates. We thank you for your support of this program and look forward to the opportunity to coach your child. To see the classes that are available, click on the blue box entitled “Click Here To Register For LB League” below and then click on the tab that says “Little Ballers League”! From this screen you can then choose your desired class. Please note that some classes that are offered outside of Winnipeg are in term sessions only. For more information email us at info@littleballersbasketball.com or call or text us at 204-298-2925