Your child will have fun, stay fit, and learn new skills in the YMCA’s youth basketball program.
Kids who play basketball and engage in healthy competition discover so much more than their athletic abilities. The Y encourages kids to challenge themselves as players and people.
Benefits of youth basketball
Basketball has many benefits for your child's physical, mental, and social health. Playing basketball...
- Improves cardiovascular health: Basketball is a high-intensity sport that requires constant movement, jumping, and running. It can increase your child's heart rate, blood circulation, and oxygen delivery.
- Strengthens muscles and bones: Basketball works your child's whole body, especially their upper body, core, and legs. It can improve their balance, coordination and flexibility. It can also develop and maintain their muscle tone and bone density.
- Boosts mental health: Basketball is mental as well as physical. It challenges your child to think strategically, react quickly, and focus on the game. It also releases endorphins, the feel-good hormones that improve their mood and reduce stress.
- Enhances social wellness: Basketball is a social sport that allows your child to interact with other players, make new friends, and enjoy a sense of community. It’s a friendly and inclusive sport that welcomes people of all backgrounds and skill levels.
- Develops skills and values: Basketball teaches your child valuable skills and values that they can use in other aspects of life. They can learn how to communicate effectively, work as a team, respect others, cope with failure, handle pressure, and be a leader.
Youth basketball clinics
Our clinics for ages 8-13 focus on developing key fundamentals like ball handling, passing, shooting, and defense in preparation for future school team participation and school tryouts.
Youth basketball leagues
Our leagues for kids ages 5-13 include drills and games designed to develop the fundamental skills of ball handling, dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense.
Youth Basketball FAQ
The youth basketball fall season starts in early September and concludes in mid-October.
Programs are divided into two age groups:
- 8-10 for boys
- 8-10 for girls
- 11-13 for boys
- 11-13 for girls
Boys' and girls' leagues are divided by the child's preferred gender.
Your program director will determine whether your child can play in a different age group. Contact them directly to see if we can accommodate your request. If you don't have their contact information, email us or call 828-251-5910.
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Team assignment will determine practice day and time. Practices and games will be at the YMCA location where you registered – either the Asheville YMCA or the Reuter Family YMCA.
Practice times:
Asheville YMCA
- Ages 8-10 for girls: once a week on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, 45 minutes between 6-6:45 p.m.
- Ages 11-13 for boys: once a week on Tuesdays, 60 minutes between 7-8 p.m.
- Ages 11-13 for girls: once a week on Thursdays, 60 minutes between 7-8 p.m.
Reuter Family YMCA
- Ages 8-10 for girls: once a week on either Tuesdays or Thursdays, 45 minutes between 6-6:45 p.m.
- Ages 11-13 for girls: once a week on Tuesdays, 60 minutes between 7-8 p.m.
- Ages 11-13 for boys: once a week on Thursdays, 60 minutes between 7-8 p.m.
Games for ages 8-10 happen on Friday at the same YMCA center that you register for between the times of 6-6:45 p.m.
Games for ages 11-13 happen on Friday from 6-8 p.m. and will rotate between the Asheville YMCA and Reuter Family YMCA.
Teams will be based on age, preferred gender, playing experience, coach availability, and practice time availability. We’ll honor as many requests as we can, but requests are not guaranteed. If your request isn’t granted, we’ll work with you to try to come up with a solution that fits your needs and the fairness of the program.
Please contact the program director/manager at your location if you haven’t heard from a coach by Dec. 27. If you don't have their contact information, email us or call 828-251-5910.
- Ages 8-10 use a women’s size ball (28.5 inches) and a 9-foot hoop
- Ages 11-13 use a standard size ball (29.5 inches) and a 10-foot hoop
Yes, financial assistance is available to qualified households thanks to generous donors to our annual campaign. Fill out this form to apply. And remember, Y members get early registration and discounted rates for youth sports.
Financial assistance for basketball
Please click here to read our policy on program registration, credits, refunds, and closings related to inclement weather.
For most locations, parents will be automatically enrolled in our weather alert system. You will be notified by phone and email any time a game or practice is canceled due to weather.
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Check out our other youth sports programs too!
Lead by coaching
Coaching youth sports is a rewarding way to spend your free time while shaping the future.
Members save big on Y programs
All YMCA membership types get discounts on programs such as group swim lessons and youth sports. Members also receive early access when program registration opens.