Hit the Hardwood With the Y
Play ball with the folks who invented the sport! Learn the basics of the game, fine-tune your skills, plus practice teamwork and leadership, while making new friends!
YMCA youth sports encourage and promote healthy kids, families, and communities by prioritizing 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 volunteering as coaches and being their kids' greatest fans.
Youth Basketball Leagues and Programs
Minis Program
Through fun drills and games, preschoolers learn rules and practice basketball fundamentals like dribbling, shooting, passing, and, in most cases, going the right way down the court.
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.
Winter Locations: Auburn, Bellevue, Coal Creek, Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, and West Seattle Ys
Spring 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
Through fun drills and games, kindergarteners learn rules and practice basketball fundamentals like dribbling, shooting, passing, and, in most cases, going the right way down the court.
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.
Winter Locations: Auburn, Bellevue, Coal Creek, Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, Sammamish, and West Seattle Ys
Spring 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.
Winter Locations: Auburn, Bellevue, Coal Creek, Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, Sammamish, and West Seattle Ys
Spring Locations: Auburn, Bellevue, Coal Creek, Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, Sammamish, and West Seattle Ys
Led By: Volunteer coach
Score: Not 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.
Winter Locations: Auburn, Bellevue, Coal Creek (boys only), Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, Sammamish (3-4 only), and West Seattle Ys
Spring Locations: Auburn, Bellevue, Coal Creek, Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Meredith Mathews, Northshore, Sammamish (no girls 5-6), 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.
Winter Locations: Auburn, Coal Creek, Dale Turner, Kent, Matt Griffin, Northshore, and West Seattle Ys
Spring Locations: Auburn, Bellevue, 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: YMCA staff
Key Information and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I register?
You can register online via the links above, 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 YMCA 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 online registration is closed, can I still sign up for this program?
Even if online registration is closed, there may still be space available. 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
- Registration opens on August 15 for Y members
- Registration opens on August 22 for Community members
- Registration closes on November 21
- League season begins with practices the week of December 8
- Games begin the weekend of January 10
- Season ends the week of February 28
- Make-up games the week of March 2
Spring Season
- Registration opens on January 15 for Y members
- Registration opens on January 22 for Community members
- Registration closes on March 15
- League season begins with practices the week of March 30
- Games begin the weekend of April 25
- Season ends the week of June 13
- Make-up games the week of June 20
When will my child practice?
- For the winter 2025 season, you will be informed of your practice day and time during the week of December 1.
- For the spring 2026 season, you will be informed of your practice day and time during the week of March 23.
What if I don't get information about practice times by the indicated date?
- For the winter 2025 season, you will be informed of your practice day and time during the week of December 1. If you have not been contacted by December 8, please contact your local Y.
- For the spring 2026 season, you will be informed of your practice day and time during the week of March 23. If you have not been contacted by March 30, please contact your local Y.
Where are games and practices?
- Practices will be held at your local YMCA facility or a nearby gym.
- Grades 1 and 2: Games will be held at your local YMCA facility, a nearby gym, or other Ys in the region.
- Grades 3 and above: Games will be held at your local YMCA 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 weekly for 45–60 minutes, depending on age group.
When will we receive a game schedule?
Game schedules will be released a week before 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 we can not guarantee them. During the registration process, you will have the opportunity to request ONE friend. Your friend 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 friend 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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