Mahtomedi Basketball Association

The Recreational League program mission is to develop and deliver a quality program where girls and boys can have fun through sport participation; develop positive self-character and respect; learn skills and rules of the game; learn the value of sportsmanship and teamwork; develop friendships and sound attitudes about winning and losing.

MBA programs help players develop basketball skills as well as provide an opportunity to implement those skills at a level that is comparable with that player's skill level.  Traveling basketball can be highly competitive with a significant time commitment.  The Recreational League Program is intended to be less competitive with a lesser time commitment.

All players are placed on an Recreational League team.  It is the MBA's philosophy to have balanced teams with a mixture of skill levels.  The actual team selection is conducted by the In-House Director based upon information provided by coaches from the previous year as well as other pertinent criteria including height and grade.
 

Grade Levels: 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th.
Gender: Boys and Girls
League: Stillwater
Season: late November to early March
Games: 10 - 12 Games held on Saturdays
Game Locations: Stillwater and Mahtomedi schools
Practices: 1 evening each week in Mahtomedi
Team Size: 8 to 10 players per team.
 

Grade Level: 7th/8th combined.
Gender: Boys and Girls
League: Maplewood Park and Recreational Basketball League
Season: late November to early March
Games: 10 - 12 Games held on Saturdays
Game Locations: Mahtomedi, Maplewood, Little Canada, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, Oakdale
Practices: 1 evening each week in Mahtomedi
Team Size: 8 to 10 players per team.
 

With the goal of developing basketball players, the MBA has the following playing time philosophy: all In-House team players will be given equal playing time which usually means half the game.  In cases where there are not ten players, the coaches will make sure playing time is as equal as possible.  The only exceptions to this rule are: injury, sickness, foul-trouble, and disciplinary actions.

Each player is required to have a team jersey.  Participants may use a team jersey from a prior year or purchase a new one for $10.  Jerseys may be kept by the players after the conclusion of the season and used in future seasons.
 

Participants must live within, or attend school (public or private) within, the geographic boundary of the Mahtomedi School District and be in grades 3 through 8. Players on an In-House team may not participate in any traveling level games during the In-House season.
 

Coaches are selected from all of the individuals that express an interest in coaching.  Basketball knowledge and experience is helpful but not of paramount importance.  Instead, the key characteristics of a successful youth basketball coach tend to be 1) a love of working with kids, 2) an interest in helping kids learn and grow, 3) a large dose of enthusiasm and 4) an interest in basketball.  In cases where we have an abundance of coach volunteers, head coaches are determined by weighing the experience level of coaching candidates, priority being given to returning coaches, the results of coach evaluation forms from prior years, and any other pertinent factors.  In many cases, we will have coaches work together and either co-coach teams or determine a head coach and assistant coach and work collaboratively in that manner.  It is generally helpful to utilize as many coaches and "helpers as available - individual attention is a tremendous asset.

All coaches must be certified through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) program. Training is done through Mahtomedi Community Education and will take place sometime in early November.