Get in the Game with Youth Sports!
Through youth sports at the Y, kids can be active, build confidence, learn new skills and make friends. Our youth sports focus on building healthy habits for life and teaching children to support each other, both on and off the field. Centered on the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, you can be confident that your child’s team will embrace positive competition and fair play. Our teams value effort given more than games won, fostering positive self-image and respect for others.
Osage Prairie YMCA Youth Basketball
The Osage Prairie YMCA is your home for 3v3 basketball! Players learn better communication, court spacing, and grow in their confidence in a 3v3 setting. We’re offering three options so there is a place for everyone no matter their skill level.
Bitty Basketball
Our Bitty Basketball program is designed to introduce boys and girls of pre-school to kindergarten age (minimum 4 years old) to the basic fundamental skills of basketball and get a basic understanding of the game.
DATES: Dec. 30-Jan. 18
TIME: Mondays 6:00-7:00 pm, Saturdays 9-10 am
- Sessions 1-3 – Practice only
- Sessions 4-6 – Games
COST: Free for OPY Members; $30 for community members
REGISTRATION: Closes Dec. 27 – Click the link below to register online, or visit the Welcome Center to register in-person.
Developmental 3v3 Basketball
Our Developmental League offers a unique opportunity for players to enhance their communication skills, improve court spacing, and build confidence in a dynamic half-court setting. Designed with growth and learning in mind, the league includes a weekly practice and game to help players refine their skills. Every Saturday, participants are grouped into new teams, ensuring everyone gets the chance to play alongside different teammates each week. Join us to grow your game in a supportive and engaging environment!
DATES: Jan. 18-March 1
PRACTICE TIME: Mondays 6:00-7:00 pm (1st-2nd Grade), 7:00-8:00 pm (3rd-6th Grade). First practice will be Saturday, Jan. 18 at 10 am.
GAME TIME: Games begin at 9 am on Saturdays (beginning January 25)
AGE DIVISIONS:
- 1st-2nd Grade (Co-ed)
- 3rd-4th Grade (Boys and Girls)
- 5th-6th Grade (Boys and Girls)
COST: $50 for members; $75 for community members (Financial assistance scholarships and sibling discounts available.)
REGISTRATION: Closes Jan. 15 – Click the appropriate link below to register online, or visit the Welcome Center to register in-person.
Register for 1st-2nd Grade Youth Basketball
Register for 3rd-4th Grade Boys Youth Basketball
Register for 3rd-4th Grade Girls Youth Basketball
Register for 5th-6th Grade Boys Youth Basketball
Register for 5th-6th Grade Girls Youth Basketball
Competitive 3v3 Basketball
Our Competitive League is designed for players ready to elevate their game in an intense half-court environment. Teams will manage their own practices and face off on Wednesday evenings during a 6-week regular season, culminating in an exciting single-elimination championship tournament. There may also be opportunities to travel and compete against teams from other area YMCAs. Register your team today and experience skill development and teamwork in a fast-paced, competitive atmosphere!
DATES: Jan. 20-March 8
PRACTICE TIME: Teams will practice on their own
GAME TIME: Wednesdays beginning at 6 pm starting Jan. 22
CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT: March 8 – Tournament will be a single-elimination tournament. Tournament seeding will be based on W/L record from the regular season games.
AGE DIVISIONS
- 3rd-4th Grade (Boys and Girls)
- 5th-6th Grade (Boys and Girls)
COST: $350 per team. All teams must register with a coach. All coaches must complete volunteer requirements before their team is allowed to compete.
REGISTRATION: Closes Jan. 20– Click the appropriate link below to register online, or visit the Welcome Center to register in-person.
Register team for 3rd-4th Grade Boys Youth Basketball
After registration is received, you will be contacted to provide a roster.
Why 3v3 Basketball?
Playing 3v3 basketball is an exciting, fast-paced, and extremely beneficial experience for youth basketball development. It’s different from 5v5 full court because it emphasizes skill development, footwork, and fast decision-making.
For those responsible for training up-and-coming athletes, 3v3 provides several platforms to help develop their skills without overwhelming them. Playing 3v3 is the best way to develop youth basketball players, it helps players become smarter, improves their fundamentals, builds team chemistry, and allows coaches to focus on individual player development.
Benefits of 3v3 Basketball
Increased Involvement
In 3 on 3 basketball, each player has more chances to touch the ball and participate in the game. With fewer players on the court, everyone gets more game time and more opportunities to contribute to the team’s success.
More Touches on the Ball
In 3 on 3 basketball, there are fewer players in the game, so each player gets more of an opportunity to touch the ball, which ensures that they gain valuable experience and improve their skills.
Better Decision-Making
3 on 3 basketball games help players develop and improve their decision-making skills. With fewer players on the court, the speed of the game is increased, which makes for quicker decision-making, and improves players’ ability to react to certain situations.
Improved Teamwork
Excellent teamwork is essential and crucial in any team sport. With only three players on the court, 3 on 3 basketball provides players with more chances to hone their teamwork skills, as there are no more “big stars” that can shoulder the burden.
Quick Mental Processing
3 on 3 basketball is a faster game than 5 on 5 basketball, which means that in a 3 on 3 game, players need to think quickly and make decisions promptly. It helps young players improve their mental processing and become more alert in their lives.
Increased Shooting Opportunities
With fewer players on the court, there are more opportunities for players to shoot, which helps them in building an accurate shot and developing a better feel for the basket.
Enhances Communication Skills
In 3 on 3 basketball, communication is essential for the team’s success. It provides players with a perfect setting to develop their communication skills by practicing their verbal and non-verbal communication.
Develops Leadership Qualities
With fewer players on the court, players need to take on more responsibility and take on leadership roles. It provides a perfect setting to develop those leadership qualities and become a leader on and off the court.
Provides Opportunity to Play
3 on 3 basketball is an exceptional game that allows young people that may not have previously played the traditional 5-on-5 basketball game to get involved in the sport.
Allows for Flexibility
The 3 on 3 basketball game in its design allows for a higher level of flexibility compared to a 5 on 5 basketball game. It provides young players with the chance to be creative in their game, improve their handling skills, and develop their dribbling techniques.
Enhances Individual Creativity
In 3 on 3 basketball, players get a chance to experiment with individual creativity, which can lead to more exciting and fun games.
Competitive Youth Sports Clubs and Teams
Club sports at Osage Prairie YMCA give young athletes the opportunity to compete regionally and develop their skills under the direction of our highly qualified coaching staff. We offer year-round competitive swim options with our Neptunes and Tridents swim teams OPY Club Swim, and we also offer competitive volleyball through OPY Club Volleyball.
Learn Healthy Habits
Youth Sports at the Y teach a love of the game and moving your body, helping your kids build a strong foundation to stay healthy for life.
Build Character
It’s not whether you win or lose – it’s how you play the game! Youth sports at the Y teach good sportsmanship and resilience – skills that will benefit your child both on and off the field.
Support Development
Moving your body in youth sports helps strengthen children’s muscles and bones. It also helps children build their concentration and attention span, benefitting them in the classroom, too!
Volunteer Coaching Opportunities
Join in the fun! As a volunteer coach, you can make a lasting impact on the lives of our community’s kids. You’ll help our young athletes develop their skills, build confidence, and learn important life lessons about teamwork, sportsmanship, and perseverance.
Our coaches empower kids to the best they can be, and they also get a front row seat to the magic that happens every youth sports season. For more information, about upcoming volunteer coaching opportunities, contact mpommier@opycma.org or call 417-667-9622.
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