YOUTH BASKETBALL
Learn the basics of the game, fine-tune your skills, plus practice teamwork and leadership, while making new friends!
Hit the Hardwood With the Y
Play ball with the folks who invented the sport! Y youth sports encourage and promote healthy kids, families, and communities by placing a priority on family involvement, healthy competition rather than rivalry, the value of participation over winning, team-building as well as individual development, a positive self-image, and a sense of fair play and mutual respect for others.
Families are encouraged to be more than mere spectators, by contributing their time as volunteer coaches—as well as being their kid’s greatest fan.
Youth Basketball Leagues and Programs
Minis Program
Preschoolers learn rules and practice basketball fundamentals like dribbling, shooting, passing, and in most cases, going the right way down the court through fun drills and games.
Ages: 3–5, co-ed
Schedule: Practices with scrimmages are held once per week for 8 weeks. The days and times of the program vary by location.
Fall Locations: Auburn, Bellevue, Coal Creek, Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, Snoqualmie, and West Seattle Ys
Winter Locations: Auburn, Bellevue, Coal Creek, Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, and West Seattle Ys
Led By: YMCA staff
Score: Not tracked
Family Involvement: Required
Kinders Program
Kindergarteners learn rules and practice basketball fundamentals like dribbling, shooting, passing, and in most cases, going the right way down the court through fun drills and games.
Ages: 5–6, co-ed
Schedule: Practices with scrimmages are held once per week for 8 weeks. The days and times of the program vary by location.
Fall Locations: Auburn, Bellevue, Coal Creek, Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, and West Seattle Ys
Winter Locations: Auburn, Bellevue, Coal Creek, Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, and West Seattle Ys
Led By: YMCA staff
Score: Not tracked
Family Involvement: Encouraged
Grades 1-2 League
Learn the fundamentals of basketball, sportsmanship, teamwork, and healthy habits while sharpening skills, practicing drills, and having fun.
Grades: 1–2, co-ed
Schedule: We practice once per week and play games on the weekend. The days and times of the program vary by location.
Fall Locations: Auburn, Dale Turner, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, and West Seattle Ys
Winter Locations: Auburn, Bellevue, Coal Creek, Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, Snoqualmie, and West Seattle Ys
Led By: Volunteer coach
Score: Tracked
Grades 3-4, 5-6 Leagues
Take your skills to the next level and experience constructive competition. Players in this youth basketball league continue to build skills like dribbling, shooting, and passing and begin learning basketball plays through fun drills.
Grades: 3–6, single-gender
Schedule: We practice once per week and play games on the weekend, including home games and games against other Ys in the region. The days and times of the program vary by location.
Fall Locations: Auburn, Dale Turner, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, and West Seattle Ys
Winter Locations: Auburn, Bellevue, Coal Creek, Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, Snoqualmie, and West Seattle Ys
Led By: Volunteer coach
Score: Tracked
Grades 7-9 League
Celebrate the love of the game in this youth basketball league! Legends focus on learning plays, practicing teamwork, and building fundamental skills. Teams participate at a higher level of competition that helps prepare them for playing in school leagues and throughout their entire life.
Grades: 7–9, single-gender
Schedule: We practice once per week and play games on the weekend, including home games and games against other Ys in the region. The days and times of the program vary by location.
Fall Locations: Auburn, Dale Turner, Matt Griffin, and West Seattle Ys
Winter Locations: Auburn, Coal Creek, Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, and West Seattle Ys
Led By: Volunteer coach
Score: Tracked
Skills Clinics, Intro Classes, Tourneys
Get ready for the next season of basketball by fine-tuning skills in our clinics or academies, learning the basics in an introduction series, or playing in a tournament! Players focus on mastering the fundamentals of dribbling, shooting, and passing, practice drills, and have fun.
Grades: K to 8, co-ed
Schedule: Varies by program. Offered throughout the year.
Led By: Y staff
Key Information & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I register?
You can register online via the links above, over the phone by calling (206) 382-5022, or at your local Y.
When does registration open?
Registration opens seasonally. To learn more about registration, including answers to frequently asked questions, please visit our program registration website.
I cannot afford the full cost of the program. Is financial assistance available?
Yes! The Y is committed to ensuring all families have access to quality and enriching youth programs. If the fee for this program presents a challenge for your family, financial assistance is available.
For Y members, your program scholarship is already attached to your Y account and available upon registration. For community members, please fill out this form and choose 'program subsidy only' under membership type.
Do Y members receive a discount on youth sports programs or leagues?
Yes! To see your Y member discount, please click the register button for your chosen program or league and click the activity to see pricing for both Y members and Community members.
What should my child wear and bring for basketball?
Your child should wear comfortable clothes and closed toe shoes (preferably athletic shoes) and bring a non-glass water bottle.
Does my child need to be potty trained?
Yes, all participants must be potty trained.
What is your refund policy?
Please review our cancellation and refund policies here.
If internet registration is closed, can I still sign up for this program?
There may still be space available even if internet registration is closed. Please call (206) 382-5022 or visit your local Y to inquire.
Can I make a suggestion for a sport to offer?
Yes, please fill out this form to help us plan future sports programming.
Who do I contact with questions?
Contact information for the following locations:
- Auburn Valley Y – auburnsports@seattleymca.org
- Bellevue Family Y – bellevuesports@seattleymca.org
- Coal Creek Family Y – ccfysports@seattleymca.org
- Dale Turner Family Y – dtfysports@seattleymca.org
- Kent Y – kentsports@seattleymca.org
- Matt Griffin Y – youthsportsmg@seattleymca.org
- Meredith Mathews East Madison Y – mmemsports@seattleymca.org
- Northshore Y – northshoresports@seattleymca.org
- Sammamish Community Y - sammsports@seattleymca.org
- Snoqualmie Valley Y - jhopkins@seattleymca.org
- West Seattle Family Y - wssports@seattleymca.org
Key Information for Leagues
What are the key season dates?
Winter Season 2024:
- Registration opens August 15 for Y members
- Registration opens August 22 for Community members
- Registration closes November 30
- League season begins with practices the week of December 9
- Games begin the week of January 6
- Season ends the week of February 24
- Make-up games the week of March 3
Fall Season 2024:
- Registration opens June 15 for Y members
- Registration opens June 22 for Community members
- Registration closes August 28
- League season begins with practices the week of September 16
- Games begin the week of October 5
- Season ends the week of November 4
- Make-up games the week of November 11
Summer Season 2024:
- Registration opens April 15 for Y members
- Registration opens April 22 for Community members
- Registration closes June 12
- League season begins with practices the week of July 1
- Games begin the week of July 15
- Season ends the week of August 19
- Make-up games the week of August 26
When will my child practice?
- For the fall 2024 season, you will be informed of your practice day and time during the week of September 9.
- For the winter 2024 season, you will be informed of your practice day and time during the week of December 2.
What if I don't get information about practice times by the indicated date?
- For the fall 2024 season, you will be informed of your practice day and time during the week of September 9. If you have not been contacted by September 16, please reach out to your local Y.
- For the winter 2024 season, you will be informed of your practice day and time during the week of December 2. If you have not been contacted by December 5, please reach out to your local Y.
Where are games and practices?
- Practices will be held at your local Y facility or a nearby gym.
- Grades 1 and 2: Games will be held at your local Y facility, a nearby gym, or other Ys in the region.
- Grades 3 and above: Games will be held at your local Y facility or a nearby gym, and you will have games at other Ys and gyms in the region.
How often will my child practice?
Teams will practice once per week for 45 – 60 minutes, depending on age group.
When will we receive a game schedule?
Game schedules will be released a week prior to the first weekend of games.
Who will be the coach?
Our teams are led by volunteer coaches.
How do we apply to be a volunteer coach?
We are looking for volunteer coaches to lead our teams. Please visit this link to sign up or contact your local Y.
Can I request to be on a team with a buddy?
Yes, we will do our best to honor requests but can not guarantee them. During the registration process, you will have the opportunity to request ONE buddy. Your buddy must also request you on their registration.
When will we receive a uniform?
Uniforms will be distributed before the first game.
How are teams formed?
Teams are formed based on grade, school, and buddy requests.
What happens when games are postponed or canceled due to bad weather and/or power outages?
If a game has been played more than 50%, that game is considered final. If an entire game is canceled, we try to reschedule for a future weekend or weeknight. Because the weather is out of our control, sometimes games cannot be rescheduled, but we will do our best.
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Stay Engaged with the Y
Family Room
Bring the Y's education and enrichment activities home! Try intentional moments to calm the soul, STEAM projects to keep minds moving and learning, and family games to share laughs and smiles.
Swim Lessons
As the largest provider of swim lessons in the country, we strive to help all ages learn how to swim, so they can stay safe around water and learn the skills needed to make swimming a lifelong pursuit for healthy living.
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With a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, improving health and well-being, and supporting our neighbors, your membership will not just bring about meaningful change in yourself, but also in your community.
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