Little Hoopers

Coaches Guide

Our Mission

The Little Hoopers Program introduces kindergarten through 2nd grade players to the game of basketball in a fun, supportive, and instructional environment. As a coach, your role is to help build confidence, teach fundamentals, and create a positive first experience with the game.

Time Commitment

Expectations For Coaches

Session & Game Play Structure

One Day Per Week – Practices and gameplay take place on the same day, keeping things simple and family-friendly.
Sessions are designed to be efficient, fun, and development-focused.

One Day Per Week – Practices and gameplay take place on the same day, keeping things simple and family-friendly.
Sessions are designed to be efficient, fun, and development-focused.

Your leadership sets the tone for players, parents, and volunteers. We ask all coaches to:

Model Positive Behavior: Encourage players, show respect for referees, parents, and opponents.
Be Organized: Review practice plans before sessions to ensure smooth instruction.
Focus on Fundamentals: Reinforce skills each week through repetition and fun challenges.
Keep It Fun: Celebrate effort, improvement, and teamwork over wins and losses.
Communicate Clearly: Give simple instructions and demonstrate drills whenever possible.

Warm-Up: Fun activities to get players moving.
Skills Stations: Drills focused on dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense.
Group Competitions: Relay races, partner passing challenges, and shooting games.
Game Play:
- Kindergarten: Skills-based activities and small-sided games.
- 1st & 2nd Grade: Begin with 3-on-3 games starting Week 4, with a focus on teamwork and learning.

Role During Games

Support from the League

Key Reminders

Teach players how to space the floor and move without the ball.
Encourage sharing the ball and making good decisions.
Reinforce sportsmanship after every game — shaking hands, saying “good game,” and showing respect.

League staff will help set up and manage sessions.
Equipment (balls, cones, pinnies, etc.) will be provided.
Coaches will have access to drills, tips, and teaching resources.

One day a week commitment — make the most of it!
Keep instructions simple and positive.
Focus on development, not the score.
Have fun! Your energy and encouragement create lasting memories for players.

PHASE I 2024

THE GEM CITY LITTLE HOOPERS PROGRAM, PREMIER BASKETBALL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR MARIETTA STUDENTS K-2.

PHASE II 2025-26

GEM CITY ATHLETIC LEAGUE PROSPECTS PROGRAM IS LAUNCHING THIS YEAR. THE PROSPECTS PROGRAM IS A SMALL 36-MAN LEAGUE, WITH FOUR TEAMS, FOCUSED ON PLAYER DEVELOPMENT THAT PRACTICES TWICE A WEEK AND PLAYS ONE GAME ON SATURDAYS.

PHASE III IN 2026

THE THIRD PHASE INVOLVES CREATING A STRUCTURED LEAGUE FORMAT FOR EACH OF MARIETTA CITY'S EIGHT ELEMENTARY SCOOLS. EACH SCHOOL WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A TEAM FOR EACH GRADE LEVEL, 3RD THRU 5TH, FOR BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS. GEM CITY ATHLETIC LEAGUE IS SOLICITING COMMUNITY SUPPORT THRU SPONSORSHIPS THAT WILL PROVIDE EACH OF THE SCHOOLS AND EACH OF THEIR 6 TEAMS WITH EQUIPMENT AND FACILTY IMPROVEMENTS.

YOUR SUPPORT IS IMPACTFUL

WE ARE SEEKING FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS AT ALL LEVELS FROM LEAGUE SPONSORS, SCHOOL SPONSORS, TEAM SPONSORS, STARTING 5 SPONSORS, AND TEAMMATE SPONSORS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THIS MUCH NEEDED EXPERIENCE TO ALL OF MARIETTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. OUR GOAL IN YEAR ONE IS TO RAISE $335,000 TO HELP KEEP REGISTRATION COSTS FOR EACH PARTICIPANT AT A MINIMAL LEVEL SO ALL FAMILIES OF ANY ECONOMIC SITUATION ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE.