Development Teams

Grade 3/4 to Grade 5/6 Development Teams

Grade 3/4 Divisions - 3 x 3 Program

Tri-City Youth Basketball has adjusted its Grade 3/4 Boys and Girls programming to a 3 X 3 format replacing the 5 on 5 model used in the rest of the league’s competition. This initiative is consistent with Canada Basketball’s 3 X 3 Mini-Basket program which has at its core, a philosophy to allow children to play a game that is better suited to the development of their physical, mental and basketball skills by instituting long term athlete development (LTAD) modifications to the adult game. With high repetitions and touches, 3 X 3 is novice player oriented and places an emphasis on skill development in combination with the teaching and age-appropriate competition relative to the ability of the participants.
 
With greater time on task (more touches and playing time for everyone) Tri-City Youth Basketball feels that the adjustment to programming at this development level will provide a high-quality experience for youth basketball players creating a positive experience which will help foster their passion as they grow with the sport.
 
This initiative has received unanimous support from the TCYBA Board and from our National Sports Organization. “Canada Basketball is in support of younger athletes playing 3x3 instead of 5 on 5 in the early stages of development. The opportunity to touch the ball and have more meaningful participation in the competition makes the activity more fun for the children and more likely to keep them active while learning to play basketball. Congratulations on this initiative. I’m sure it will be very successful.” - Michele O’Keefe, President and CEO, Canada Basketball.
 
Why 3x3

While these adjustments are similar to those adopted by other youth sports such as hockey and soccer to name two, they do have their own basketball specific modifications and development benefits.

Benefit 1: Increased Handling of the Ball 
 
When youth play traditional 5 on 5 games, it is common for 1-2 players to rarely touch the ball. This is especially true when a team has 1-2 dominant players who are the best ball handlers or are early developers. Teammates tend to pass the ball to those players and those players tend to take the ball to the basket and sometimes coast to coast, failing to work on team and decision-making skills. This results in other players not developing their skills. The dominant player is only working on a few skills, and the team isn’t developing as a whole. In 3 X 3, everyone must be involved for a team to have success. All players get to handle the ball almost every possession allowing for more skill repetition in competition environments and therefore, providing the best opportunity for skill development to occur.
 
Benefit 2: Better Spacing 
 
Even with the smaller bodies of young players, 5 on 5 games are crowded. Youth basketball is not the right environment for players to practice dribbling or passing through multiple types of coverage - their skill package is underdeveloped to be successful in those areas. 3 X 3 opens the court up and provides players with more room to operate. Youth can play in open space, allowing them the opportunity better practice and load their skills without multiple defenders crowding the ball. This spacing also allows for players to practice individual and team decision-making skills (advantages, when to shoot/pass/drive).
 
Benefit 3: Focus on Basketball Skills & Actions 
 
3 X 3 emphasizes individual skills as well as 1, 2 and 3 player actions that are the foundation for successful 5 on 5 play. The focus is on concept development as opposed to being system oriented. Defense for 3 X 3 is player-to-player, creating opportunities at the offensive end for freedom, decision-making and creativity to develop. Benefit 4: More Directed Competition Games in 3 X 3 competitions are shorter in duration but more frequent, allowing players to face multiple opponents in one competition night. The number of players is reduced, allowing for maximal competition experience, and playing time during this developmental stage.

 So, what does the Tri-City 3x3 program look like?

Players will take part on the two main hoops of each gym allowing 12 players instead of 10 to play at one time. Games will be approximately 4 minutes in duration. An official will be assigned to each basket. Floor spots will be placed at five positions on the court, one at the point, one at each wing, one at each corner, etc. at approximately the high school 3-point line. Each possession will begin under the basket with an uncontested pass or dribble to one of the spots. The offense may start as soon as the player dribbles or passes the ball to a teammate at a spot.

The defense may not impede the offensive players from cutting to the floor spots but may guard their checks as soon as the ball becomes live. If a steal occurs, that player may dribble or pass the ball to a teammate at a spot and they may immediately initiate offensive play.

The game is played with alternating possession. If a basket is scored the defensive team is not required to take the ball out of bounds. They may take the ball immediate after the basket is scored, pass or dribble the ball to a spot, run to the spot closest to them and begin offensive play.

Emphasis of play for this program includes taking/catching the ball and attacking, cut, pass and fill principles, ball cuts and backdoor cuts. Screening on the ball at this development phase is not permitted. A coach from each team will be assigned at one of the two baskets but in is imperative that principles of guided discovery are utilized and that each coach accept that they are part of a coaching collective that assist in the development and provide feedback to all players regardless of whether that individual player practices with them or not.

Grade 4/5 & Grade 5/6 Divisions

This league focuses on increasing a player’s skill level in a fun and recreational environment. All teams practice once per week (one hour) and have one game per week (Friday nights).

Players may register to any team by selecting their preference of Location, Day, time and Coach by appropriate grade level in accordance to TCYBA Registration policies that prioritizes returning players.

Players interested in playing at the Development level are not required to attend any evaluation sessions.

Please note New players must play at their grade level and may not play up. ie New grade 4 players must play in the 3/4 level and may not play up at 4/5 level.

Parent Coaches

The TCYBA relies on parent volunteers to coach teams in the league. Each team in the grade 2/3 division will need at least 2 parents that are able to assist with the academy sessions and then take over the team coaching responsibilities in the new year. Please contact the League Coordinator if you are able to volunteer in this role.

WE ALWAYS NEED WILLING COACHES - experienced or not. If you bring the enthusiasm we'll provide the guidance and tools to help you have a successful season.

We understand that coaching a team can be an intimidating experience for newcomers and the TCYBA works hard to help you succeed with your team. In addition to providing you with weekly practice plans, TCYBA endeavours to have a solid system for developing coaches, which in turn will help develop our players on a more even level. We understand everyone has busy schedules and can’t always attend coaching clinics, so we’ll be bringing the clinics to you. Online resources are also available to help all of our coaches (new and seasoned) enhance your coaching skills. 

Grade 6/7 Development & Grade 7/8 Prep Division

Players may register to any team by selecting their preference of location, day, time and coach by appropriate grade level in accordance to TCYBA registration policies that prioritizes returning players.

Players interested in playing at the Development level are not required to attend any evaluation sessions.

Please note: New players must play at their grade level and may not play up.ie. New grade 7 player must play 6/7 level may not play up at 7/8 level.

Grade 6/7 Division

Stepping up to a full sized court with a three point line and foul shots being awarded, this league focuses on increasing a player’s skill level in a fun and recreational environment. This is a Development league — players interested in a highly competitive league can opt to try out for our Elite Team program — tryouts for the Elite teams generally take place in May. All 6/7 development teams practice once per week (one hour) and have one game per week (Friday nights). Players may register to any team by selecting their preference of location, day, time and coach by appropriate grade level in accordance with  TCYBA registration policies that prioritize returning players. Players interested in playing at the Development level are not required to attend any evaluation sessions.

Please note: New players must play at their grade level and may not play up.ie New grade 7 players must play in the 6/7 level and may not play up at 7/8 level.

Grade 7/8 Prep Division

Purpose

To provide players participating in the TCYBA with a comparable development opportunity to other athletes taking part in high school grade 8 programming across BC that isn’t currently provided by SD43 and thereby better preparing them for high school participation in their grade 9 year.

Partnerships

While partnerships with the various senior secondary schools would be preferable and welcome, these institutions are resource challenged (coaches, gym access) and would struggle to provide the TCYBA with the consistent access to resources that would be required to establish and maintain this program.

The TCYBA welcomes the possibility of any resources that may be directed to them by individual schools or the School District in establishing and operating this undertaking.

Methodology

• The Grade 7/8 division is now a High School Prep Division.
• The Grade 7/8 division has an adjusted structure that includes an additional 30 minutes of practice time, offering players at this level a 1.5 hour practice and a one hour game per week.
• We will be providing a minimum of four Academy Sessions per season with a group of performance based coaches. Team coaches may and would be encouraged to participate but they would not be mandated to be there. Read more about our Prep Division Academy Sessions.
• We are fully subscribing an offensive style of play for all teams.
• Two officials and a scorer / timer will be assigned to each game.
• We will be keeping score and standings and making the Prep division competitive in nature.
• Additional training will occur weeknight evenings and on Saturdays and Sundays in the Tri-Cities in groups of 30 – 36.

This model would keep intact all the basic elements of our current league while enhancing several development and competitive components.

Registration

Registration to this division will not require adjustments to the standard registration process.

Costs

While the overall cost to participate in this program is slightly higher than in the past, this program still falls within the parameters of Tri-City Youth Basketball’s mandate to provide cost recovery based programming while providing additional development opportunities, competitive games with division standings and assigned officials and a scorer / timer.

* Please note participation in extra Academy Sessions, in addition to those provided as part of the 7/8 Prep Division, is possible at an additional cost.

High School Recreational Teams (Grade 9 - 12)

TCYBA does not have a Gr 8/9 division. After players complete Gr 7/8 Prep division, they move onto a high school recreational team.

Players may register to any high school recreational team selecting their preference of location, day, time and coach by appropriate grade level.

Players interested in playing at the High School Recreational level are not required to attend any evaluation sessions.

Division will be structured as follows and players may only play at their current grade level:

• Girls: Grade 9 — 12
• Boys: Grade 9/10 & Grade 11/12

For any queries, please contact the League Coordinator.

Grade 9–12 Girls Division

This is a recreational league for players who want to continue playing basketball in a fun and recreational environment. All 9 — 12 girls teams practice once per week (one hour) and have one game per week (Friday nights). Players may register to any team by selecting their preference of location, day, time and coach by appropriate grade level.

Players interested in playing at this Recreational level are not required to attend any evaluation sessions.

Grade 9/10 Boys Division

This is a Recreational league for players who want to continue playing basketball in a fun and recreational environment. All 9/10 boys teams practice once per week (one hour) and have one game per week (Saturday Morning or Afternoon). Players may register to any team by selecting their preference of location, day, time and coach by appropriate grade level. Players interested in playing at this Recreational level are not required to attend any evaluation sessions.

Grade 11/12 Boys Division

This is a recreational league for players who want to continue playing basketball in a fun and recreational environment. All 11/12 boys teams practice once per week (one hour) and have one game per week (Saturday Morning or Afternoon). Players may register to any team by selecting their preference of location, day, time and coach by appropriate grade level. Players interested in playing at this Recreational level are not required to attend any evaluation sessions.