Resources for Basketball Coaches
Sign Up as a Coach or Volunteer
LSYS is fully run by volunteers. Whether you can pitch in as a coach, referee, or board member, your help is needed! Sign up on our Volunteer Opportunities page or reach out to us via email at [email protected] for information or questions. Anyone working directly with the kids must pass a background check in order to volunteer.
LSYS Basketball Divisions
The LSYS basketball divisions are determined by the player's grade level in school. The teams are co-ed and play is non-competitive. For each grade level, LSYS recommends focusing on the following basketball skills. Our first priority is for all kids to get equal playing time while having fun.
PreK/TK/Kindergarten Rules and Helpful Tips:
This is the fundamental level of basketball. The goal at this level is to learn the basics by encouraging dribbling and passing.
All games should be played at an 8 foot basket height. In our program, we split a full size basketball court in half and use sideline to sideline with a basket on each end for a shorter court. Coaches will act as the referees (both should be out helping their teams) during the game.
Play 2 halves (each 15 minute running clock). Please designate one coach (or parent to keep time). You may pause the clock during all substitutions.
All kids should be awarded equal playing time (as best of your ability) and should have the opportunity to have equal touches on the ball (point guard/bring ball up).
The game should begin by designating one team to inbound the ball from the baseline. The opposing team will have the inbound at the start of the second half.
Games should be played 4 v 4 at this stage, but can be played 5 v 5 if there is a large roster. All defense should be MAN TO MAN. You should have a set of wrist bands provided to you that can help kids to know that they guard their same color wrist band.
No stealing off the dribble and often (at coaches/refs discretion) not off a pass either. We want all kids to be able to have many touches on the ball and the ability to dribble, shoot and pass.
Please work on teaching the basic rules of basketball to all the kids!
First/Second Grade Rules and Helpful Tips:
At this level we are still working on the fundamentals of basketball. Please encourage your players to dribble with the ball and work on preventing the double dribble. Some kids may need to be called out on these offenses. It may not be necessary to turn the ball over but restart the play focusing on these fundamentals.
All games should be played at 8 foot hoops. In our program, we split a full size basketball court in half and use sideline to sideline with a basket on each end for a shorter court.
Coaches will act as referees at this level. You can choose to designate one coach to referee each half of the court OR referee each half of the game.
The game should be played as two 15 minute halves - running clock (with the clock stopped for all substitutions and injuries).
The game should start with a center court jump ball. The team which does not gain possession of the ball at tip off will start with the ball at the second half.
Defense should be played using a man to man defense. No full court press. Each team should have wrist bands included in their kit to help the kids to know who they are to guard (same colors).
There should be no stealing off the dribble HOWEVER stealing off the pass should be allowed.
Please begin to start calling fouls. Kids love to try and shoot free throws so give them the chance when it’s appropriate. In the case of non-shooting fouls, restart the ball from the baseline or sideline (wherever appropriate).
At the coaches discretion the score can be kept (score cards will be provided in the gym).
All players should get equal playing time (as best you can). Kids should also get the chance to play at all positions (dribbling the ball down).
Remember that there are kids of all levels playing. Please use discretion when refereeing these games……some kids need to be called out on most fouls, traveling, etc, and others may need a little more flexibility.
Communicate with other coaches and really help these kids to learn the rules of basketball to the best of their ability.
Third/Fourth Grade Rules and Helpful Tips:
At this level we are working on really solidifying the rules of basketball. Players need to be enforced to dribble and not foul.
All games should be played at 10 foot hoops on a full court at this age level.
Games should be played at 4 quarters, each quarter being 10 minutes (clock should only be stopped during substitutions and injury time). Each team should be allowed 3 timeouts per game.
Each game should be provided with a referee (please remember in many cases these are kids). The referee call stands - ALWAYS. IF your game has no referee provided then coaches must split the game each refereeing one half of the game.
The score of the game should be kept.
The game will start with a jump ball (the team who does not gain possession at the beginning will start with the ball the second half).
Defense will begin at half court (NO FULL COURT PRESS). Defense will be man to man coverage - NO zone defense allowed.
NO stealing of the dribble. Stealing off the passes will be allowed.
All three point shots made will be awarded 3 points.
Please ensure that every player gets equal playing time (as best you can)!
Please call fouls! Kids don’t learn if they never get called on it. In the event of a shooting foul let them shoot. Kids love to shoot free throws - LET THEM!! All fouls should always be a turnover.
Kids should not foul out of the game. You do not need to keep a running total of all fouls.
Please keep in mind that we have a wide range of skill so at the discretion of the refs/coaches other infractions such as traveling/double dribbles should be called. Kids DO NOT LEARN if they aren’t called on it!
FIFTH/SIXTH Game Rules and Helpful Hints:
At this level we are working on enforcing the rules of basketball. Players need to be enforced to dribble and not foul.
All games should be played at 10 foot hoops on a full court at this age level.
Games should be played at 4 quarters, each quarter being 10 minutes (clock should be stopped during substitutions, injuries and shooting fouls).
Each team should be allowed 3 timeouts per game. Each game should be provided with a referee (please remember in many cases these are kids). The referee call stands - ALWAYS. IF your game has no referee provided then coaches must split the game each refereeing one half of the game.
The score of the game should be kept.
The game will start with a jump ball (the team who does not gain possession at the beginning will start with the ball the second half).
Defense will begin at half court (NO FULL COURT PRESS). Defense will be man to man coverage - NO zone defense allowed.
All steals will be allowed - both off the dribble and the pass,
All three point shots made will be awarded 3 points.
Please ensure that every player gets equal playing time (as best you can)!
Please call fouls! Kids don’t learn if they never get called on it. In the event of a shooting foul let them shoot. All fouls should always be a turnover.
Kids should not foul out of the game. You do not need to keep a running total of all fouls.
Please keep in mind that we have a wide range of skill BUT we are preparing these kids for middle school/high school ball so ALL infractions such as traveling/double dribbles should be called. Kids DO NOT LEARN if they aren’t called on it!
Equipment Provided to Teams
LSYS provides each team with basketballs, jerseys, and cones. The registration fee covers basketballs for each registered player to keep, jerseys will be turned in at the end of the season. Players provide shorts, socks, and athletic sneakers. If children would like to bring their own ball, that's great! LSYS will have a basketball pump and first aid kit at each game, but you should also add these items to your personal coach's bag. If you need assistance with gear and or have an equipment suggestion, reach out to us at [email protected].
Basketball Sizing Chart:
- 28.5” (size 6) ball is provided for kids in grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
- 27.5” (size 5) ball is provided for kids in PreK/TK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd grades
Practices and Games
The LSYS 2024/25 basketball season will run November through March, depending on the age of the participant. Due to limited gym space in the community, teams will be assigned a date, time, and location by the LSYS Basketball Committee. Practices are held on a weekday evening for typically 45 minutes or one hour. We work closely with Lake Spokane Elementary, Nine Mile Falls Elementary, and Lakeside Middle School to secure gym space, but due to changing and limited availability, practice schedules may change throughout the season.
Games are held on Saturdays with the youngest teams starting first. The kindergarten through 3/4 divisions play at LSE while the 5/6 division plays at LMS. Depending on the number of registered players, each division may have 4-8 teams. Only the 3/4 and 5/6 divisions will have youth referees. Coaches at the younger divisions are responsible for officiating, keeping the time, and tracking the score. You can recruit parents to help with these tasks.
Team Communication
The LSYS Basketball Committee will reach out to you after registration closes with more details about the upcoming season. The Team Central tab on this website, which will go live once teams are formed, is a great way for registered families to access team information and schedules for practices and games.
The Team Manager app has proven to be a terrific way for coaches and families to communicate with one another and stay updated on changing schedules. Coaches can import the team's roster and schedule from their connected account. The Downloading the Team Manager App user guide will assist you with this process so that your LSYS and DSG accounts sync. If schedule changes are made during the season by LSYS administrators, coaches will need the user guide, How To Re-Import the Schedule, for parents to see the revisions in the app.
Court Locations
The Nine Mile School District has given permission for the league to use their gyms for practices and games.
- Nine Mile Falls Elementary: 10102 W Charles Rd, Nine Mile Falls, WA
- Lake Spokane Elementary: 6015 WA-291, Nine Mile Falls, WA
- Lakeside Middle School: 6169 WA-291, Nine Mile Falls, WA
Missed or Cancelled Practices
Life happens. There are parents on each team who will gladly step in to the role of coach if both the head coach and assistant coach will miss the same practice or game date. The Team Manager app is a great way to reach out to the parents and stay in contact about changes or cancellations. Use your own judgment to determine if the weather is bad enough to cancel. School closures will result in mandatory practice cancellations. Due to limited gym availability, makeup practices and games will be difficult to schedule.
Risk Assessment Policies and Procedures
Lake Spokane Youth Sports (LSYS) wants all coaches to feel prepared for any situation that may arise. We have created a guide to help you avoid and handle risk. Please review our Risk Assessment Policies and Procedures guide. Also, please review the CDC Concussion Information guide.