As a parent, you play a very important role in building the self-esteem and confidence of not only your child, but of every child in the league. Players will look to the parents and coaches as models for sportsmanship, respect for authority, and positive attitudes.

In Upward Basketball, players are divided according to ability and height to create equal teams. In this league, you won’t see one team with all the best players dominating the others. At evaluations, your child will participate in several basketball drills to obtain an evaluation score.

The agility drills are: Lane slide Right hand dribble Left hand dribble

The shooting drills are: Lane shoot Right side lay-up Left side lay-up

The results of these drills will make up an overall evaluation score. The purpose of this score is not to determine if your chld possesses enough skill to be an asset to the team. This score is used in the draft, so teams are equally skilled. The result is good basketball, healthy competition among children, and a positive experience for all involved.

Your child’s coach will contact you shortly after evaluations with practice schedules and team information. Winner’s kits will be distributed at practice before your games begin.

Your child will receive the following in the Winner’s Kit:
reversible jersey, t-shirt, Bible, car magnet, individual awards after each practice and game, end of the year award, plus much more.

Practice and Games 

Practice

One-hour practices will be held during the week. During the practice, coaches will share a short Bible story with the children. During practice, each child will have an opportunity to learn a scripture verse that corresponds with the principle or characteristic conveyed in the story. Each child participating in the scripture learning time will receive a green star award.

Games

Games consist of three 6 minute periods and a 6 minute halftime. Star awards are given to every player immediately following each game.

Each star is special because: the Blue Star represents Best Effort, the Gold Star represents Best Sportsmanship, the Gray Star represents Best Offense, the Red Star represents Best Defense, the White Star represents Christlikeness.