Beginner In-House Basketball League

Sharpen your skills and build confidence

Schedule

Join us for a nine-week Beginner In-House Basketball League designed to introduce athletes in kindergarten through grade 3 to organized basketball in a positive, instructional, and fun environment.

Throughout the season, athletes will learn and practice:

• Dribbling and ball control
• Passing and catching
• Shooting and finishing
• Basic offensive and defensive positioning
• Court awareness and basketball rules
• Teamwork and communication
• Sportsmanship and respect
• How to respond to mistakes, challenges, winning, and losing

No previous league experience is required.

Divisions and Player Placement

Our planned divisions are:

• Kindergarten–Grade 1
• Grades 2–3

Placement goes beyond grade alone. Coaches prioritize basketball skills and readiness while also considering age, grade, physical development, confidence, and safety.

Based on evaluations, CAL Sports Academy may recommend a higher or lower division to provide an appropriate level of instruction and competition. Any recommended division change will be discussed with the athlete’s parent or guardian.

Our goal is to create balanced teams where athletes can experience success, work through challenges, and enjoy developing their game. We use what we learn each season to improve placement and the league experience.

Week 1: Skills Evaluation and Introduction to the Game

Athletes will participate in fundamental skill stations, basketball drills, and controlled gameplay.

Coaches will observe each athlete’s experience, fundamentals, effort, movement, basketball awareness, and comfort level.

This is not a tryout. Every registered athlete will be placed on a team. Evaluations help coaches create balanced teams and identify where athletes need additional instruction and support.

Week 2: Team Selection and Practice

Athletes will begin practicing in team groups while coaches continue evaluating placement and competitive balance.

Coaches will introduce:

• Team spacing and court positioning
• Which basket to defend and which basket to attack
• How to inbound the basketball
• How to transition between offense and defense
• Basic man-to-man defensive positioning
• Substitutions and bench expectations
• Communication, teamwork, and sportsmanship

Initial team assignments may be adjusted as coaches learn more about each athlete’s readiness and the overall balance of the teams.

Week 3: Team Practice and Controlled Scrimmages

Athletes will continue developing fundamental skills and team concepts through practice and controlled scrimmages.

Coaches may stop play to explain rules, correct positioning, and help athletes understand their responsibilities during an organized game. This instruction helps athletes build confidence before regular season games begin.

Team assignments are developed throughout Weeks 1–3 and finalized before regular season games begin in Week 4.

Weeks 4–8: Regular Season Games

Athletes will participate in five weeks of regular season games.

Each game day will include:

• Team warmups
• Pregame instruction
• Organized league play
• Coaching and instruction during the game
• A short postgame team discussion

The number of teams and game schedule for each division will depend on total registration and player evaluations. Teams may face some opponents more than once during the regular season.

Regular season records will determine league standings. Scheduling details and tiebreaker procedures will be shared before regular season games begin.

Week 9: Championship and Final Placement Games

Every team plays in the final week.

• The top two teams in each division, based on regular season standings, will compete in the championship game.
• All remaining teams will participate in final placement games, with matchups determined by standings and the number of teams.
• The season will conclude with end-of-season recognition.

The final week gives every athlete another opportunity to compete, demonstrate progress, and finish the season with their teammates.

Scheduling and League Format

Session times, duration, division sizes, and team counts will depend on total registration. Families will receive evaluation details before the league begins and team game schedules after team assignments are finalized.

Divisions, schedules, and game formats may be adjusted based on registration, athlete readiness, competitive balance, and facility availability.

Game Format

Games will be played on half courts. Game length and clock procedures will be shared with families before regular season games begin.

Game rules may be modified when necessary to support safety, instruction, balanced competition, and the developmental needs of beginner athletes.

Coaches and officials will help athletes learn the rules during gameplay. Mistakes are expected and will be treated as opportunities to teach the game.

Our Developmental Approach

This league introduces young athletes to more than dribbling, passing, and shooting. Players will also begin learning how to:

• Listen and respond to coaching
• Work with teammates
• Encourage others
• Handle mistakes without giving up
• Manage excitement and disappointment
• Win with humility
• Lose with respect
• Continue competing when the game becomes challenging

Our goal is to create a positive experience where athletes can learn, compete, build confidence, and enjoy being part of a team.

Team Shirts

Every athlete will receive an official CAL Sports Academy team shirt to wear during league games. Team shirts help create team identity, pride, and unity.

• Please select the correct shirt size during registration.
• Athletes must wear their assigned team shirt during league games.
• Replacement shirts are available for $35 if a shirt is lost, damaged, or ordered in the wrong size.
• If an athlete arrives without the assigned team shirt, a temporary pinnie may be provided when available.

Athletes may wear any color athletic shorts or pants. Basketball or athletic sneakers are required.

Thank you for helping CAL Sports Academy provide a positive, organized, and enjoyable experience for every athlete and family.