The Courtside Connection

[Jason]

What is Basketball?
By Fred Braun, Youth Director
Basketball is a very popular sport all around the world, particularly in the United States. There are ten to twelve players on each basketball team and maximum five of the players are on the court at the same time.
The object of the game is to score the most points by throwing the basketball through the hoop, also called a basket, scoring two points for each basket shot from the field. Boys and girls of all ages and levels play the sport. Some levels where basketball is played may include YMCAs, schools, colleges, professional and other groups.
Basketball is a ball game between two teams of five players, played on both indoor and outdoor courts. Players move the ball by passing it or by dribbling it (bouncing it on the floor) while running.
In the US the standard court is 94-ft long and 54-ft wide, with a backboard at the center of each end of the court, with a metal hoop 10-ft from the floor attached to each backboard.

Being Involved in Bitty Sports…
By Phoenix Gaj, Bitty Sports Coordinator
As the coordinator in the Bitty Basketball program, my job has many aspects. I facilitate both the Itty Bitty and Bitty Basketball classes. I also get to hear all the amazing stories that these kids have to tell. Every Saturday morning, one of the little girls in my Itty Bitty Basketball class tells me that she is going to be a runner and she runs all over the court. This is how I spend my Saturday mornings, coaching kids. These children may or may not decide to become pro basketball players but they defiantly brighten my mornings. My job is to be there and teach them some lessons in basketball, while being perky and energetic. Being perky and energetic is easy for me and, it is the best part of my job description. The parts that aren’t mentioned are the many smiles that you as a coach put on the kids’ faces. I love my job and to me each child is just as special and just as amazing as all the others and that is the best part about my job aside from seeing the smile on all the kids’ faces every Saturday morning.