Dec. 2024 Entry
We had an elementary conference for grades 4-6.  Each grade practiced once or twice a week and typically played games on Saturday vs other schools 4-6th graders..  In our Saturday Morning Fever program, we might have our 3rd graders play some 3 on 3 games.  We did NOT play games with our 1st, 2nd, or 3rd graders.  We believed our younger players needed to work on developing basic skills rather than playing 5 on 5 games they were not ready for.

Nov. 2024 Entry
We ran our "Saturday Morning Fever" program for 6-8 Saturdays.  We used an elementary school gym that had multiple baskets.  We purchased several baskets that we could attach to the existing baskets so the baskets were lowered to around six feet. We also purchased a number of small basketballs.

We tried to keep the lowest level players in groups of 4-6 players in a group. We had a "coach" for each group.  Used high school players and members of the high school coaching staff to teach.  Drills were very simple and never more than 5 minutes. Be creative and make sure the players are having fun.

Our schedule for most Saturdays was:
1st Grade 9:00-9:45
2nd Grade 10:00-11:00
3rd Grade 11:00-12:00     


Oct. 2024 Entry
A new menu item I have added this season is called "The Feeder Program."
Each month I will share some insights in what I believe a feeder program
should focus on.  These are my thoughts, and in some instances, experiences
I will share of what our program did when I was actively coaching.  

One of the first decisions you need to make is at what level are you going to
start your program?  We ran a program called "Saturday Morning Fever" for
about 6-8 Saturdays.  Our program started at 1st grade.  We used smaller sized basketballs & lowered baskets.  I used some of our Junior Varsity & varsity players to help teach.  1st grade level met for 45 minutes.  Then, depending on numbers, we had a 2nd grade level that met for an hour & then a 3rd grade level that also met for an hour.  

We did have an elementary league grades 4-6 that practiced once a week &
played other schools on Saturdays.

My rational was that 1st-3rd graders did not need to play organized 5 on 5 games.  Our sessions on Saturday mornings were about skill development.  I have witnessed enough competitive games at this level to convince me they
are unnecessary.  Young children, in my opinion, do not need the pressure of
playing games way before they have the skills to enjoy the game.