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 winter clinics will prepare your child to participate and play at the league level. Clinics are on Mon., Tues., Wed., or Thurs. for 60 minutes and are available at Reuter and Asheville.
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. Practice one night a week and play games on Saturday from Jan.-Feb.
Youth Basketball FAQ
The youth basketball season starts in late November or early December and concludes in early February.
Programs are divided into five age groups:
- 3-4, coed
- 5-7, coed
- 8-10, coed
- 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, Corpening Memorial YMCA, Hendersonville Family YMCA, or Reuter Family YMCA.
Practice times:
- Ages 3-4: 30 minutes on Saturday mornings
- Ages 5-7: one weekday, 30 minutes between 5:30 and 7:30pm
- Ages 8-13: one weekday, 45 minutes between 5:30 and 7:30pm
All games are on Saturdays between 9 am and 3 pm.
Players ages 3-4 at the Corpening Memorial YMCA will participate in clinics.
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 3-4 use a junior-size ball (27.5 inches) and a 6-foot hoop
- Ages 5-7 use a junior-size ball (27.5 inches) and an 8-foot hoop
- 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.