2024 NASHOBA LEAGUE
5TH GRADE GIRLS BRACKET A CHAMPIONS!!!
7TH GRADE BOYS BRACKET A RUNNER UPS!!!
Recreation League Program
To register for Berlin Rec Basketball
Grades 3-8 https://nashobahoops.sportngin.com/register/form/735161121
​
Grades K-2 register here:Berlin Youth Basketball Learn to Play K-2 Program - Google Forms
​
KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
​
​​ Registration opens 10/08 and closes 10/22
This 8 week program is an introductory basketball program with the main goal of having fun, while introducing the kids to two basketball skills: catching a ball (receiving a pass), making a pass, and dribbling. Program will be infused with fun games that introduce and reinforce those skills.
We will not be playing any 5x5 games at this level but will keep the kids' interest through a variety of high paced, action-packed games. We won't be using standard basketballs, instead we give the kids smaller basketballs because their hands are still small. Our aim is to get kids excited about the sport, not discouraged so we work toward achieving that goal. Kids are, of course, welcome to use a basketball if they desire. Kids will shoot on baskets that are 7 ft, rather than the standard 10 ft.
Practices: Sunday mornings; TIME tbd, starts after Thanksgiving
Fee: $40
​
If you are interested in coaching this level, please email berlinbasketball@gmail.com. This level will require several adults on the court at one time.
3RD AND 4TH GRADE PROGRAM
Registration opens 9/24 and closes 10/15
At this level of play the kids are separated, so the teams are not co-ed. The kids at this level will participate in a game against another town once a week on Sundays. Coaches at this level begin to introduce the players to spacing and movement on the coach, rebounding, playing ball defense and team defense, cutting to the basket, and movement on the court. We expand the basketball vocabulary while continuing to reinforce previously learned vocabulary. Because referees are part of the game at this level, athletes learn about fouls, travel and double dribble violations.
Depending on who we play, the coaches before the game may both decide players can't steal off the dribble to get the players used to playing defense and defensive sliding. Although this reads strange it actually benefits the development of the athlete. Off the ball steals, or interceptions, are encouraged as that teaches anticipating the next play. A lot of times at this level if you have an athlete who is very quick he/she will steal the ball off the dribble before it even gets below the three point line. And no one is learning with this scenario. Additionally, it doesn't give the ball handler a chance to practice the dribbling while being guarded. So you may see this happen during games, but you also may not. That is a prearranged agreement.
Refs at this level: They are high school basketball players. They are kids. They aren't professionals. For Berlin games our refs will be kids from our high school; for away games they will be kids from other high schools. PLEASE do not aggravate these kids. The Berlin Basketball Director will meet with all the Berlin refs prior to the start of the season to discuss how to ref a game at this level. The referees will also receive a training from the Nashoba League prior to the start of the season. At the end of the day, they are still kids. We all have a responsibility to the kids in our communities to help build them up and help them gain confidence as young people. You can disagree with a call, or a no call, but you do not reserve the right to belittle or challenge these refs. You will be asked to leave the gym if you berate these refs. in any way. Please bahve accordingly.
Practices: 2x a week at the Berlin Memorial School gym
Fee: $110.00 (sibling discount grades 3-8 $10)
Games: Sundays, either 12:15, 1:30, 2:45 . First game Dec.7th No games 12/29.
​
If you are interested in coaching this level, please email berlinbasketball@gmail.com. This level requires one head coach and one to two assistants.
​
7TH AND 8TH GRADE PROGRAM
Registration opens 9/24 and closes 10/15
This level of play is AWESOME! A lot of these players have a terrific understanding of the game of basketball and have been playing for years. If your child is now expressing a newfound interest in basketball, do not shy away from signing up. Middle school age is a perfect time to start a sport.
Kids at this level will continue to improve their shooting range, their dribbling moves, their passing with purpose, their defensive game both on and off the ball, and their movement and spacing. Coaches will focus on getting their players to understand and appreciate team basketball and how to execute team play.
Playtime at this level is fair, so all players are afforded the same number of minutes per game. However, if players are not showing up to practices the coaches can limit game time play. We want athletes to understand what it means to be on a team and how valuable they are to the team as a whole.
Refs: Refs at this level are trained adult refs. They ref many games and many different levels. The rules vary depending on the level of play, so if they make the wrong call it could be something as simple as they were following a rule from another level of play. Coaches will manage it.
PLEASE refrain from challenging a call. Leave the discourse to the coach.
Playoffs: Grades 7-8 participate in playoffs at the end of the season. The teams with the most wins plays in one bracket and the teams with the least wins plays in another bracket. Those playoff rules will be dispersed by the coaches as the playoff time nears.
​
Practices: 2x a week at the Berlin Memorial School gym
Fee: $115.00 (sibling discount grade 3-8 $10)
Games: Saturdays varied times, could be as early as 11:30 or as late as 3:30. First game Dec. 7th No games 12/28
If you are interested in coaching this level, please email berlinbasketball@gmail.com. This level requires one head coach and one assistant.
This 8 week program is an extension of the introductory program with the main goal to have fun, while introducing and strengthening several basketball skills. The program is designed with a skill teach, skill practice, skill game concept. The coaches will teach a skill, allow the kids to practice that skill in small groups, and then compete in a fun game to bring the skill to life.
We introduce several skills at this level, including passing, dribbling, shooting, defensive stance and triple threat position. We also start to introduce the language of the sport, including terms like, offense, defense, out of bounds, in bounds, double dribble, foul, backboard, baseline, sideline, etc. We believe it is important that kids understand the language of the sport, as much as they do the skill set required to play.
We do use basketballs at this level, but they are smaller and lighter than regulation balls, and the hoops are lowered to 7ft. Coaches may separate grades 1 and 2 on opposite ends of the court, but that will be their discretion.
Practices: One day during week and one Saturday morning for mini scrimmages. Starts after Thanksgiving
Fee: $75
​
f you are interested in coaching this level, please email berlinbasketball@gmail.com. We like to have many adults helping at this level.
1ST AND 2ND GRADE PROGRAM
Registration opens 10/08 and closes 10/22
5TH AND 6TH GRADE PROGRAM
Registration opens 9/24 and closes 10/15
This level of play is bit more competitive than grades 3-4. For those kids who have played basketball since the K program they will have a solid understanding of the game entering this level of play. For kids who have never played before, this level will be a great time to get started. The kids at this level play one weekly game, on Saturdays. They either play home at the Berlin Elementary School gym, or at gym in one of the towns we play against. Players at this level will start expanding the play mechanics and learn how to pass and cut rim side, how to pick, how to pass and pick away, how to pick and roll, back door cut, box out, call for an outlet pass, and how to talk on defense.
If we have enough players for two teams, the teams are fairly split. We do not tier teams, as the league isn't designed for that. Athletes are given fair play time and are expected to attend practices. Coaches do reserve the right to limit playtime at his level, if athletes are continously not coming to practice. Players at his level need to begin to understand what it means to be on a team and how important they are to the cohesiveness of the team.
Refs: Refs at this level are trained adult refs. They ref many games and many different levels. The rules vary depending on the level of play, so if they make the wrong call it could be something as simple as they were following a rule from another level of play. Coaches will manage it.
PLEASE refrain from challenging a call. Leave the discourse to the coach. You will be asked to leave the gym if you are constantly harassing or berating the refs.
Playoffs: Grades 5-6 participate in playoffs at the end of the season. The teams with the most wins plays in one bracket and the teams with the least wins plays in another bracket. The playoff rules will be dispersed by the coaches as the playoff time nears. Playoff rules differ from regular season play.
Practices: 2x a week at the Berlin Memorial School gym
Fee: $115.00 (sibling discount grade 3-8 $10)
Games: Saturdays, varied times could be as early as 11:30 or as late as 3:30. First game Dec. No games 12/28
If you are interested in coaching this level, please email berlinbasketball@gmail.com. This level requires one head coach and one assistant.
Note about school choice, alternative school, private school, homeschool players playing rec ball:
- Any player who is school choice into the BBRSD district is eligible to play rec ball for either Berlin or Boylston.
- Any player who attends a private school, alternative school, or home school is eligible to participate in rec. ball for the town the player lives in.
​