Being a teammate is different than being a parent, guardian, teacher, or coach… Find out how different with Real-Time Basketball Club!

Real-Time Basketball Club is a framework for multi-generational pick-up basketball where adults engage kids as teammates instead of as parents, guardians, teachers, coaches, etc. The volunteer run Real-Time Basketball Club develops leadership skills and strengthens relationships while providing an opportunity for kids to practice basketball in a low-stakes, but game-like, environment.

Suggested Rules:

  1. The recommended target age is kids age 10 to 18 years-old and their adult parents, guardians, teachers, coaches, etc.

  2. Meetings should be regular and consistent, whether that is weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

  3. Meetings should be open and free to all participants.

  4. Games can be played any format, half-court 3x3, full-court 5x5, etc., but one adult should be on each team.

  5. Games can be timed or played to a specific point total (time limits are recommended when players are waiting for next).

  6. Games can be adapted to local rules, but should include:

    1. Call your own fouls.

    2. Don't argue fouls, even when you disagree.

    3. Any other disputes should be settled quickly by “shooting for it.”

  7. Meetings should end with a group huddle, centered on kids discussing positive things observed during the games.

Participant Expectations:

  1. Every Real-Time Basketball Club participant is considered a teammate, even when on different teams.

  2. Participants should communicate positively and any communication should be either encouragement or focused on improvement.

  3. NO “TRASH” TALK

  4. NO YELLING/RAISING VOICES IN AN AGGRESSIVE MANNER OR IN A NEGATIVE TONE!

  5. Adult participants should model and enforce the positive communication expectation, including stopping the game at any time to remind participants of the positive communication expectation.

  6. ALL participants are expected to make mistakes while working to become better teammates, leaders, and basketball players.

  7. Participants are expected to have a “next play mentality,” i.e. be focused on the next possession, instead of what has already happened,.

  8. To maximize the multi-generational teammate experience, all participants are expected to:

    1. Play with a high level of positive energy, especially on defense;

    2. Commit to becoming better basketball players, regardless of skill or experience, i.e. participants should practice in between meetings, and use Real-Time Basketball Club meetings to develop skill and experience.

Volunteer Organizer Expectations

  1. Communicate time and location, reserve permits if necessary.

  2. Bring pinnies or reversible jerseys.

  3. Review the rules and expectations and remind participants of the positive communication expectation as needed and help limit disputes.

  4. Split the participants into roughly equal teams.

  5. Organize the post meeting group huddle.