Coaching
Volunteer coaches are an integral part of the North Toronto Basketball Association House League program. Our athletes need coaches who will encourage them to enjoy everything that basketball has to offer – fun, friendship, fitness, competition and personal growth.
We welcome parents / guardians of all basketball and coaching abilities to volunteer as a House League coach – prior experience is not required, although is beneficial. We aim to assign two coaches per house league team so that there is a mix of skill / experience and also sufficient coverage in case of coach absence. Time commitment is approximately 1.5 – 2 hours per week, including the time spent at the weekly session.
If you are a parent / guardian of a child participating in the House League program, please indicate your desire to coach during the registration process. If you are a community member wishing to volunteer to coach a house league team, please contact the NTBA Registrar before September 30.
Coach Responsibilities
-
Communication
- Contact team at the start of the season to introduce yourself, share the team schedule, rules and other pertinent details
- Communicate with the team throughout the season as needed (e.g. schedule updates, reminders etc…) and address parent / guardian questions or concerns
- Review all correspondence sent by the House League convenors, sharing pertinent information with the team
-
Basketball Development
- Younger divisions (U9 – U12 Girls; U9 – U10 Boys): Teach basketball fundamentals (dribbling, passing, shooting) and basic game play through simple drills as part of the weekly warm-up (30 minutes)
- Older divisions: Lead a brief warm up (5 – 15 minutes) before the start of the game
- Introduce age-appropriate game strategy/plays and provide coaching tips throughout game play and at half time
- Review House League rules; ensure the team adheres to the rules and demonstrates good sportsmanship at all times
-
Organization
- Arrive on time to each session, greet players and take attendance
- Manage shifts and lineups during the game, ensuring equal playing time for all team members
- Print and complete the House League Participation & Scorecard each week and submit it to the convenor at the end of each game
-
Leadership
- Motivate and encourage players both on the court and on the bench, provide positive, constructive feedback and be a cheerleader!
- Ensure a welcoming, safe and inclusive experience for all
- Treat all players, coaches, referees and convenors with respect at all times
- Escalate concerns to the House League convenor and/or NTBA Directors
Coaching youth basketball is a rewarding and energizing experience. We hope you will consider volunteering and giving back to the NTBA community!