Will youth basketball be a hoop dream for your child? This indoor/outdoor, co-ed, pick-up at the park or high-stakes game in the gym can be fun for kids of all ages and abilities—whether they are tall, short, or somewhere in between.
The basics: Teams of five players face off on a 50-foot long indoor or outdoor court, earning points by throwing a round ball into a raised goal (the hoop). Players can move the ball around the court by passing it to each other or by dribbling (bouncing the ball on the ground as they run). They may not carry the ball from place to place.
Age kids can start: Some teams will accept kids as young as 4.
Skills needed/used: Ball handling, endurance, teamwork.
Best for kids who are: Agile, with good hand-eye coordination.
Season/when played: Winter for schools; spring and summer for non-school leagues such as the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Skills camps and tournaments are often held in the summer. Pick-up games can happen indoors or out, year-round.
Team or individual? Team.
Levels: Tournaments sanctioned by the AAU and by Youth Basketball of America have levels determined by age. For example, the AAU breakdown is: 7 and under/1st grade (competes at district level only), 8 and under/2nd grade, 9 and under/3rd grade, 10 and under/4th grade, 11 and under/5th grade, 12 and under/6th grade, 13 and under/7th grade, 14 and under/8th grade, 15 and under/9th grade, 16 and under/10th grade, juniors, and seniors.
College and university teams are regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and pro basketball teams play in the U.S. and in Europe. Both boys and girls can play basketball at all levels.
Appropriate for kids with special needs: Yes; basketball is a Special Olympics sport and can also be played in wheelchairs. Be on the lookout for community-based clinics and camps designed for kids with special needs.
Fitness factor: High, with players almost constantly in motion during a game or practice.
Equipment: Your child will need high-top athletic shoes that provide ankle support, a team shirt or uniform, and a mouthguard. You may also want to buy a basketball so she can practice at home or at a nearby court, or even install your own outdoor basketball hoop at home. Ball sizes differ depending on kids’ age and sex. Teams of 8- to 12-year-olds, as well as high school girls, use a ball that weighs 18 to 20 ounces and is 28.5 to 29 inches in circumference. High school boys use a ball that weighs 20 to 22 ounces and is 29 to 30 inches in circumference.
Costs: Equipment costs are low (although you may go through a lot of shoes). School team fees are also low, but your family may be expected to participate in team fundraisers. In private leagues, costs vary considerably depending on how many tournaments the team enters, how much travel is required, and so on. For a travel team, plan on spending at least $200 per season on team and uniform fees.
Time commitment required: One to two hours per week of practices and games for beginners; requirements escalate as kids rise through the ranks of school and travel teams. If your child plays with an elite team, expect to travel to tournaments several times per season (4-5 events, more if the team advances to higher-level play).
Potential for injury: Medium. Although most coaches, schools, and leagues have a strong commitment to safety, basketball is a fast-moving game with potential for contact (with other players, the ball, or the floor). It also demands a lot of lateral movement, which can stress the ankles, knees, and lower back—and is why good shoes are essential.
How to find a program:
- Amateur Athletic Union: Boys
- Amateur Athletic Union: Girls
- Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA
- YMCA (search for your local Y, then check to see if it has a program)
- USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association)
Governing bodies:
If your child likes basketball, also try: Soccer, volleyball, water polo
