Cazenovia’s youth basketball association (CYAA) has announced an enhancement to its third through sixth grade model, beginning this fall with the girls’ season and continuing into 2018 with the boys’ season.
The program will now feature third, fourth, fifth and sixth grade players grouped exclusively together with their peers based on their current grade. No longer will the groupings be 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8. The enhanced program for these four grade levels will include an increased focus on the fundamentals of basketball while still incorporating live game action and competition. It is noted that the 7-8 grade program will continue with same format as it has in years past.
Representatives from the CYAA board will be on hand to answer question about the enhanced program on Thursday, Sept. 14, at the Burton Street Elementary Curriculum Night. CYAA Board representatives also plan to be available on Tuesday, Sept. 19, during the Middle School’s Curriculum Night.
As the girls’ and boys’ seasons progress, community feedback will be welcomed to ensure the program continues to provide children the opportunity to learn and play the sport of basketball. The CYAA Board voted to approve the format change as a “pilot program” for the 2017-18 season and hopes to adopt it as a permanent change after the one-year trial.
These changes should promote the idea of all youth players getting better opportunities for learning game fundamentals, getting better chances for repetition and practice during adult coach-led drills and stations, and also place them with the students in their grade level.
The latest research on youth basketball development stresses the importance of new youth participants benefitting most by participating with others in their age group. Between grades 3 and 6 there are significant differences between youngsters’ physical and mental development, and this new set-up should place students in an better learning environment.
Another benefit to this new format will be an added opportunity for interested adults in the community to become grade level coaches and/or grade coordinators. Anyone interested in becoming a youth basketball coach in the CYAA program may contact a CYAA board member at your earliest convenience. Training sessions will be scheduled once enough coaches have been secured.
Finally, the schedule by grade levels will be consistent week-in and week-out for families making plans. Consistent weekly times will make the program easier to schedule for families as times and sites will be consistent each week on Saturdays in the third through sixth grade levels. Official start dates for the girls – Session I and boys – Session II programs will be posted soon on the CYAA website (cazbasketball.com) and made available at the information tables at Back to School Nights.
The tentative weekly time schedule will be as follows:
Saturdays
8:30 to 10 a.m. M.S. Gym – 4th grade level
8:30 to 10 a.m. Auxiliary Gym – 3rd grade level
8:30 to 10 a.m. HS Gym – 6th grade level
10 to 11:30 a.m. M.S. Gym – 5th grade level
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. H.S. Gym – 7th-8th Grade Game 1
11:30 to 12:30 p.m. H.S. Gym – 7th-8th Grade Game 2
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. H.S. Gym – 7th-8th Grade Game 3
* Added optional weeknight practice sessions will be added once the schedule of available gym space and coach availability is coordinated.
