RECENT PARENT COMMUNICATION VIA EMAIL!
11/21/19:
Dear Parents, Players + Coaches!
Read below for a few All Star Travel reminders and pro tips. Please connect with me ASAP if you have any questions.
REMINDERS:
• Travel Date: Saturday, November 23rd 2019
• Breakaway to/from WRG/PSG
• Stikine Bus Services from/to Banana Point
• Players bring your jersey, gym shoes, gym clothes and water bottle
• Be at Reliance Dock at 7:00am for a head count and boat load
• EVERYONE – bring boots for the return trip as there is a minus tide
• The bus leaves PSG Gym at 2:45pm. Do not miss it!
PRO TIPS:
• Players – pack up your gym gear TONIGHT – remember your JERSEY!
• Get plenty of rest
• Adults prepare by adding extra coffee to your coffee
• Dress for the weather – current forecast: rain, then more rain
• Pack a few favorite snacks
• Bring along a reusable water bottle for excellent hydration
• Be great guests – on the boat, the bus and at the PSG gym. Pick up after yourself, remember to say thank you to the referees, coaches and coordinators. Good sportsmanship is crucial and expected.
11/20/19:
Dear Parents + Players!
The last home scrimmage of the season is TOMORROW (11/21)!
Community Center Gym
Warm-Up: 4:45pm
Game Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Players will keep their jerseys and take them to Petersburg for the All Star trip!
*Note: If we already spoke about your player's status, and they will not be traveling to PSG, please disregard the info below.
ALL STAR REGISTRATION REMINDER:
There are just a few players + parents that still need to register for this Saturday's Breakaway trip to Petersburg. Please do this ASAP as I'm still attempting to get a head count for the boat and bus transport. There is a max capacity, so the immediate registration is crucial before we can open up more seats for additional parents or siblings.
TENTATIVE TRAVEL SCHEDULE (11/23):
All travel fees must be paid prior to the trip
Meet at Reliance Harbor on Saturday (11/23) at 7:00am for head count and boat load
Depart Wrangell by 7:30am (the boat will not wait for you)
Transport to PSG Gym via Stikine Bus Services @ approx. 8:15am from Banana Point
Arrive at PSG Gym between 9-9:15am
Game schedule will be emailed by Friday
Depart PSG Gym via Stikine Bus Services @2:45pm
Depart Banana Point via Breakaway between 3:30-3:45pm
All Star Registration Link: All Star Registration
Please contact the pool office at 874-2444 if you have questions.
11/2/19:
Players + Parents!
Please check out the November practice and scrimmage schedule, attached. Read below for more specific details about scrimmages, All Star teams, travel and more. Connect with our team by calling 907-874-2444 or send along an email to recreation@wrangell.com.
2-3 grade practice + scrimmage info
This age group will continue with Tuesday practices (4-5pm) and Thursday 3 0n 3 scrimmage games (5:30-6:15).
Last practice: 11/12/19
Last scrimmage: 11/14/19
4-5/6 grade practice + scrimmage info
Practice Schedule (with additional practices on Wednesdays)
Tuesdays + Wednesdays 5:00-6:15pm
Last practice on 11/20/19
Last scrimmage on 11/21/19
The age group will begin 5 on 5 scrimmages on 11/7!
All Star Information
Tournament Dates: Wrangell 11/16/19, Petersburg 11/23/19
Due to low player turn out, we have decided that the entire 4-5/6 grade group will play in both Wrangell and Petersburg Tournaments.
In order to participate in the tournaments, all players must meet the All Star Criteria, as well players must attend practices and scrimmage games throughout the next three weeks. The attitude and behavior of the individual player is crucial within this program.
All Star Criteria:
Sportsmanship
Teamwork
Effort
Attendance
Participation
Attitude
Parents can register for players and parent/guardian travel on our website: Youth Basketball
All travel fees must be paid prior to travel
Register only players + 1 parent/guardian in order to remain within the maximum passenger load – for both the boat and the bus!! If we have extra room – we’ll let you know!
If a parent can’t make the trip, we do have a guardian approval form for participant travel, which you can find on our website. Parents must coordinate these arrangements: Youth Basketball
PARENT REMINDERS:
Please ensure that your player attends practices. Players will not participate in the scrimmages if they do not attend practice!
Players that are not attending practice should not be at the gym. For example, 2-3 grade players should not be at the 4-5/6 grade practice, just as 4-5/6 grade players should not be at the 2-3 grade practice - UNLESS a parent or guardian is present, This will help to reduce the amount of behaviors that our volunteer coaches must manage.
Let me now if you have any questions!
Lucy
10/23/19:
Dear Parents + Players!
Several of our Volunteer Coaches were able to commit to coaching the All Star teams, making it possible for our crew to host home games and travel to Petersburg!!
DATES:
Wrangell Tournament: Saturday, November 16th 2019
Petersburg Tournament: Saturday, November 23rd 2019
TRAVEL DETAILS:
Transport to and from Wrangell/Banana Point via Breakaway Adventures
Transport to and from Banana Point/Petersburg Gym via Stikine Bus Services
Parent or guardian must travel with participant
All travel fees must be paid prior to travel
Details regarding specific travel times and fees will be available ASAP!
Stay tuned, as we will add a few more practices to the November schedule. As well, the coaching team will review the All Star Criteria in order to determine which players are meeting the standard. The coaching team will vote by ballot.
ALL STAR CRITERIA:
Sportsmanship
Teamwork
Effort
Attendance
Participation
Attitude
Throughout the home tournament, we will need volunteers to referee, keep score and run the clock. Please be prepared to help support!
Connect with our team by calling 907-874-2444, or send along an email to recreation@wrangell.com.
I'll be in touch with further details!
Lucy Robinson
10/16/19:
Coaches, Parents + Players: (2-3 + 4-5/6 Grade)
Scrimmage Games will take place this Thursday (10/17) at the Community Center Gym.
TEAM 1 (2-3 grade) Scrimmage Time: 5:30-6:15pm
TEAM 2 (4-5/6 grade) Scrimmage Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Please have players at the gym at least 15 minutes prior to game time for warm up. They should have a reusable water bottle and basketball/gym shoes.
Both age groups will begin the regular season by playing half court, 3 on 3 basketball. As the skills progress, for the players in TEAM 2 (4-5/6 grade), we will begin to transition from 3 on 3 to 5 on 5 basketball.
The purpose of introducing 3 on 3 half-court play is to improve our youth players’ long-term development, increase individual playing time and cultivate a team atmosphere where players work together to build basic basketball fundamentals.
More touches, shots, handling the ball, passes, rebounds, etc. for players: On average players will touch
the ball 1/6 of the time as opposed to 1/10 of the time in 5 on 5.
All players need to learn to dribble with their head up and look to advance the ball.
Harder to defend: 3 on 3 is harder to defend than 5 on 5, it is more difficult to get away with poor
defense so players naturally have to have better help side (A basketball defense fundamental in which a defensive player who is two passes away from the ball adjusts his defense to help another teammate defend the ball handler) and ball containment.
Great way to build your motion offense: You can still teach almost all the screens and cuts that you would utilize in your 5 on 5 offense: pass and cut, screen aways, hard curls, ball screens, dribble drive action etc...
Fast Game: Due to the shorter floor, players get into the front court faster which provides more shots, passes, rebounds, times defending etc...
With the heavy player rotation, we avoid “loading” a team, which reduces “blow-out” games. It allows all kids the opportunity to build their skills and make noticeable improvements.
FUN!! Most important part of the program!
Please note, the initial scrimmage games will be a bit bumpy, as referees, players and coaches work to settle into the rules and rhythm of the games. During this time, we ask that parents and guardians re-enforce the basic gym rules: kiddos who are not playing in the games should refrain from running around the gym, playing on the stage or in the hallway. This will help to reduce unnecessary chaos, and allow for coaches, referees, volunteer parents and players to work out any kinks.
Important Reminders: do not bring food or drink (aside from water) into the gym. We realize your kids might need a snack, so we’ll have a few tables and chairs set up in the hallway. Feel free to utilize that space for snack time and clean up the area once you finish. Anyone that has food, sports drinks or pop in the gym will be asked to leave the gym area.
Finally, we have all been working hard to improve and grow this program, which has brought about a few changes. We ask that you work with us, help to support our team throughout the implementation of said changes, step in and volunteer when you can and remember that we’re all humans doing what we can to keep Wrangell’s youth active, learning and succeeding.
Thank you,
Lucy Robinson
10/10/19:
Please note: if you have feedback that is critical of this season's changes, contact me or Kate Thomas directly, versus delivering it to our volunteers. Prior to doing so keep in mind, the volunteer coaches are the reason we have a YBB Season. They are helping to foster the fundamental basketball skills and grow our program. Not to mention, this year's lack of volunteers has dictated many of our decisions to make said changes, along with our dedication to focus on fundamentals. If you are willing to coach, let us know! Then you can be a part of the process. Attached you will find the Parent Code of Conduct for your reference.
3on3 BASKETBALL BENEFITS FOR YOUNG PLAYERS:
Players touch the ball more often:
In the 5 on 5 game, players can go almost the whole game without touching the ball. In 3 on 3, you could touch the ball EVERY possession. When the player gets more experience handling the ball during game situations, the player is going to improve much more than the players who hardly touch the ball in 5 on 5. It doesn’t matter if you are the point guard or the star post player, you’re still going to get more touches in 3 on 3.
More room to operate:
A lot of younger players, especially under the age of 12 don’t have the skill, strength, or experience to utilize their basketball skills with 10 players on the court. 3 on 3 gives them more room to operate and practice their skills.
Players learn the game:
When there are only six (3 on 3) players on the court, players are more inclined to run the pick-and-roll, screen away, and screen the ball without a coach even telling them to do so, because there are fewer options out there. After awhile, they will start to figure things out for themselves which is FANTASTIC and exactly what you want the players to do. With ten (5 on 5) players on the court, a lot of those options aren’t there, because they lack the skill, strength, and experience. Now, with fewer players on the court, it gives them a split second longer to recognize a situation.
No pressing and zones:
Now, instead of spending time on breaking full court pressure, breaking half-court pressure, playing against a 1-3-1, playing against 3-2, playing against a 2-3, playing against a triangle-and-two, playing against a box-and-one, coaches can focus on the FUNDAMENTALS.
10/9/19:
Practice + Scrimmage
2019 Schedule
Dear Parents and Players,
We’re bouncing our way through this year’s YBB Program, thanks to the volunteers that stepped up to coach!
Please read below for information regarding the practice and scrimmage schedule. This can also be found on our website in calendar form:
TEAM 1 (2-3 grade)
• 10/15 – 11/14
• Practice Days/Times: Tuesdays 4:00-5:00pm
• Scrimmage Days/Times: Thursdays 5:30-6:15pm
• Keep in mind, we will need parents to run the clock
• 3 on 3 scrimmage games will be played throughout the 45 minute time period
• 2-3 grade players will utilize the adjustable baskets
• Please go into the gym with your child for drop-off and pick-up, which allows for better communication
regarding schedule changes, behaviors, etc.
TEAM 2 (4-5/6 grade)
• 10/15 – 11/14
• Practice Days/Times: Tuesdays 5:00-6:15pm
• Scrimmage Days/Times: Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm
• Keep in mind, we will need parents to run the clock and track the score
• Depending on the number of players that show up to the scrimmages (things happen, homework, illness, etc.), this age group will play half or full court games in order to maximize the space and increase the amount of time players get to play.
This season, we have had to adapt the program based on the number of volunteers available. That said, we are doing our best to ensure that our participants are receiving a solid base of fundamental basketball skills, and they get a chance to present those skills in the form of scrimmage games.
If you have any questions regarding the schedule, or if you’d like to know how you can help to positively support the program, please connect with us by calling 907-874-2444 or shoot us an email: recreation@wrangell.com