Andrew Pace
Running a basketball camp can be a challenging but rewarding experience. It requires careful planning and organisation, from deciding on a clear goal and structure to choosing the right coaches and activities. The type of camp you want to run will influence every decision you make, from staffing to scheduling. Whether your focus is on skill development or creating a fun environment to foster a passion for the game, keeping campers engaged is key. This can be achieved through a variety of drills and activities, adapting your teaching methods to suit the campers, and ensuring there is something for everyone, regardless of skill level or maturity. With the right preparation and flexibility, you can conduct a high-quality camp that leaves a lasting impression on both campers and their parents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Camp Philosophy | Fun and passion for the game, skill development, or both |
| Camp Format | Camp Coach (multiple sessions with different age groups) or Camp Director (set schedule and allow coaches to teach) |
| Camp Rules | Clear rules on foul shots, substitutions, team size, clock, etc. |
| Camp Schedule | Instruction blocks, game blocks, and other activities; keep drills under 10 minutes |
| Camp Themes | Daily themes with quotes and examples to emphasize values like hard work, unselfishness, being a good teammate, honesty, etc. |
| Camp Coaches | Experienced, able to communicate with kids, and provide positive, constructive instruction |
| Camp Equipment | Full-court gym, enough basketballs, practice jerseys, side baskets, 28.5 size ball for younger players, etc. |
| Camp Advertising | Brochures, local AAU programs, word-of-mouth, social media |
| Camp Pricing | Consider the cost of running the camp, similar camps' prices, and your goal (profit vs. building a program) |
| Camp Timing | Avoid holidays and Fridays; consider a Monday-Thursday schedule |
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What You'll Learn
Planning and preparation
Philosophy and Goals
Firstly, decide on the philosophy of your camp. Are you primarily focused on teaching skills and drills, or do you want to create a fun environment to build passion for the game? Alternatively, you may want to run an intense skill development camp for more serious players. This philosophy will guide all your subsequent decisions, from staffing to scheduling. For example, teaching camps will require more staff to ensure a good camper-to-coach ratio, while a camp focused on play may only need one coach per team.
Venue and Equipment
Ensure you have a suitable venue, such as a gym, with enough space for players to spread out and ideally, multiple hoops/baskets. You will also need enough basketballs for each player to have their own, as well as practice jerseys and any other equipment for drills and scrimmages.
Timing and Scheduling
Consider the timing of your camp. It's best to avoid holidays, and Fridays, as attendance may drop due to long weekends. Decide on the duration of your camp, keeping in mind that a full day may be too much for younger campers. You may want to split the day into blocks, with a mix of instruction and games, and adapt the length of these blocks depending on the number of campers and available time.
Rules and Drills
Before the camp begins, decide on the rules of the game, including the treatment of foul shots, substitution rules, and the number of players on a team. Be prepared to adapt your usual rules to fit the time constraints and needs of a camp environment. Plan a variety of drills to keep campers engaged, with a mix of skill-building and fun activities. For younger players, keep drills short and snappy, progressing to a new drill every 10 minutes or so.
Administration and Communication
Be organised and keep clear records. Know how many campers and coaches you will have, and ensure you have the necessary equipment and space. Communicate effectively with parents, inviting them to arrive early to see the drills their children have been working on. Provide them with a packet of drills so they can continue practising at home.
Instructors and Values
Ensure you have good instructors who are experienced and able to communicate effectively with the campers. Remember that sports camps can teach more than just athletic skills. Incorporate values such as attitude, hard work, loyalty, kindness, and being a good teammate. Use daily themes and quotes to emphasise these values and ask your coaches to recognise campers who exemplify them.
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Choosing a camp format
When choosing a camp format, it's important to first decide what type of camp you want to host. Are you aiming for a fun camp to build passion for the game, or an intense skill development camp for serious players? This decision will impact various aspects of your camp, from staffing to scheduling. For example, teaching camps require a higher staff-to-camper ratio to ensure effective instruction.
The age group of your campers is another crucial factor. Younger players, typically 12 years old and below, tend to need more fun and engaging activities to foster their enthusiasm for basketball. In contrast, older or more advanced players might prefer a more intense training environment. Consider the variation in skill levels, maturity, and concentration spans among your campers, and adapt your drills and rules accordingly.
The structure of your camp days is another important consideration. A typical format includes instruction blocks and game blocks. For example, you can start with fundamental skills like shooting, ball handling, passing, and defence drills, followed by scrimmages or full-court games. Varying the activities within these blocks helps maintain interest and intensity. Keep your drills concise, and consider the total number of campers and available time when structuring your day.
Additionally, decide whether you want to adopt a Camp Coach or Camp Director format. The Camp Coach format often involves multiple sessions with different age groups, while the Camp Director format allows you to oversee the schedule and let your camp coaches teach and interact directly with the campers. This format enables you to address any issues that arise and manage behind-the-scenes tasks.
Remember, the key to a successful camp is organisation and flexibility. Be prepared, but also be willing to adapt your methods to suit the needs and abilities of your campers.
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Selecting a location
Availability of Suitable Venues
Before setting a date for your camp, it is essential to consider the availability of suitable venues in your desired location. Look for venues with ample space, such as a full-court gym, to ensure players can spread out and engage in various drills and activities. Additionally, ensure that the venue has enough basketballs and other necessary equipment, such as practice jerseys and side baskets, to accommodate your campers' needs.
Target Audience and Convenience
Consider the target age group and their convenience when selecting a location. If your camp is aimed at younger players, choosing a venue that is easily accessible for parents and guardians is essential. This could be a local school gym or a community centre with adequate facilities. By selecting a familiar and convenient location, you can make the experience more accessible and appealing to your target audience.
Season and Holidays
When planning a basketball camp, it is generally advisable to avoid scheduling it during holidays, as attendance may drop due to family travel plans. Consider the time of year and school calendars when choosing your location. For example, summer camps are popular, and you can coordinate with local schools to identify suitable dates when students are on break.
Cost and Budgeting
The location of your basketball camp can significantly impact your overall costs. Research the costs of renting venues in different areas, as prices may vary. Additionally, consider any additional expenses, such as equipment rental or transportation costs, associated with the location. It is important to strike a balance between finding a suitable venue and staying within your budget.
Local Partnerships
Explore potential partnerships with local schools, community centres, or sports organisations when selecting a location. These partnerships can provide access to facilities, help with promotion, and even contribute to funding. Collaborating with local entities can enhance your camp's visibility and accessibility, making it more attractive to prospective campers in the area.
Staffing and Instructors
Remember to consider the availability of qualified staff and instructors when choosing a location. If you plan to hire local coaches or varsity players as assistants, ensure that there is a sufficient talent pool in the area. Building a strong staff is crucial to the success of your camp, and selecting a location that facilitates access to talented and experienced instructors is essential.
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Teaching skills and drills
When teaching skills and drills, it's important to be clear about the type of camp you're running. For example, is it a fun camp to build passion for the game, or a more intense camp for serious players? This will determine the skills and drills you teach.
For younger players, it's crucial to focus on the fundamentals of the game and make it fun. Basic skills such as ball handling, dribbling, and shooting are essential. You can also incorporate life skills such as attitude, hard work, and kindness into your camps. For example, you could start each day with a quote emphasizing a particular theme, such as unselfishness or being a good teammate, and then give examples of players who have exemplified these values.
For older or more advanced players, you can introduce more complex drills and strategies. This could include offensive improvement drills such as shooting, ball handling, passing, and catching, as well as fast-break drills, rebounding drills, and man-to-man defensive drills. It's important to vary the drills to keep the players engaged and progress to a different drill after about 10 minutes. You can also incorporate scrimmages and games to apply the skills they've learned.
Additionally, consider the number of coaches and players you'll have and the size of the gym. This will impact the drills you can run. For example, you might need to adjust the number of players on a team or the format of the drills to accommodate everyone.
Remember to be flexible and responsive to the participants in your camp. Different players will have different skill levels, maturity, and concentration levels, so you may need to adapt your teaching methods accordingly.
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Advertising and promotion
It is also important to be patient and organised. It may take a few years to get your camp exactly how you want it, so be prepared to put in the work and learn from any mistakes. Make sure you have a clear schedule and structure in place, and be flexible and responsive to your campers' needs.
To promote your camp, you could start by inviting and encouraging parents to arrive early and watch some of the drills being completed. This will give them an insight into the camp experience and allow you to showcase what you do. You can also advertise through social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, as well as via email.
Another promotional strategy is to mail brochures to previous campers and contact local programs to get the names and addresses of potential new campers. You could also check school calendars to find the last day of school and decide on a week to run the camp, usually the second or third week of June. Avoid Fridays and holidays as attendance may decline.
Finally, when deciding on a price, research the cost of running a camp and check out similar camps to determine an appropriate charge. Don't compare your prices to college, university, or professional player-run camps, as these tend to be inflated. Focus on building your program and providing value.
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Frequently asked questions
You should first decide on the type of camp you want to run. For example, is it a fun camp for younger players to build a passion for the game, or a more intense camp for advanced players? You should also be clear on the rules of the game, such as how long games will be, whether the clock will stop or run, and substitution rules.
Organisation is key to running a successful basketball camp. You should know the size of the gym, the number of hoops, campers, and coaches, and have a clear schedule. It's also important to be flexible and responsive to the needs of the campers.
Word-of-mouth is a powerful marketing tool, so ensure you provide a great experience for campers and their parents. You can also advertise through brochures, local AAU programs, and social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
