Tots

What are the differences between the 11:30AM (competitive) and the 12:15PM (novice) session?

In our experience, we've encountered many children who are very shy and find it difficult to jump into a strict, structured setting. The expectation to accomplish a specific task creates anxiety and causes them to retract, which then creates extra attention that further causes them more discomfort. To better ease these children into the program we created a dynamic session that takes place at 12:15-1PM that is a Hybrid of casual freeplay and structure.

The session starts off light. The children come in, grab a basketball and jump in however they'd like. We will have 4 basketball courts spread throughout the gym. They can shoot around with their parents, play with other children and jump in and out of activities as they see fit. Coach Wil Will be walking around instructing the children in a casual fashion. Making it easier on the children to find comfort in his presence. Depending on how comfortable the children are as a whole, structured drills will then be sprinkled into the session.

The overall goal is to get them comfortable enough to join the competitive session. But it's completely fine if the casual session satisfies them. We understand parents want their children to be taught the game of basketball in a structured disciplined setting, but we’ve realized that without them being comfortable, instruction becomes difficult not only for the child but for everyone participating. At the moment, the dynamic casual session is our best attempt at finding a solution without turning any children away.

The children registered to the 11:30-12:15PM competitive session are invited free of charge to both sessions. They can stay for as short or as long as they would like. In their case the casual session allows them to release excess energy caused by the disciplined structure of their previous session. They also help inspire the children with anxiety to join in and find comfort in their comfort. We find that the casual session allows for children to develop their own politics which in itself creates comfort for all.

We understand that even though we are a basketball facility, there is something more important happening outside of basketball when these children come together in large groups. Let’s continue to help the next generation stay socially healthy and keep a smile on their face. Thank you for participating in the ithacabball tots program.