A parent's guide to youth basketball development in the East Bay — programs, drills, coaching resources, and AAU guidance for kids in 2nd through 5th grade.
Get Started ↓Eight years of coaching, countless practices, and two kids of my own taught me one thing above all else — joy comes first.
My name is Chris Soulard. I'm a parent of two children and was the CYO Athletic Director for a local parish here in the East Bay. Over the years, I've coached both baseball and basketball in recreational and competitive environments — from parish CYO teams to travel ball.
After fielding dozens of inquiries from fellow parents asking how to start a program, how to coach young kids, and where to find training opportunities, I decided to put everything I've learned over the past eight years into one place.
This site is for East Bay parents who want to give their kids a great start in basketball — whether that's finding a league, learning drills to practice at home, or even starting your own grassroots AAU program.
💛 Joy is the foundation. Before we talk about crossovers and footwork, the most important thing you can do for a young athlete is make them fall in love with the game. Kids who enjoy playing will want to practice. Kids who are drilled too hard too early burn out. Lead with fun, and the skills will follow.
Have questions or want to share your own experience? Reach me at chris.soulard@gmail.com
The East Bay is rich with youth basketball programs and camps. Here's a curated list of options for kids in the 2nd–5th grade range.
🛡️ A note on safety: The programs listed below require varying degrees of technical and safety training for their staff. These safeguards — including background checks, fingerprinting, sexual harassment training, and concussion training — are intended to ensure the safety of your child as you entrust them to others. Since I am only able to speak to the programs that my children have personally participated in, I encourage you to ask the organizers ahead of registration if this is a concern for you and your family.
The Diocese of Oakland's Catholic Youth Organization offers recreational basketball for boys and girls starting in 2nd grade. Parish-based teams, affordable fees, and a great first-league experience. One of the best-value programs in the East Bay.
Based in Castro Valley, Crossover is a recreational league partnered with local churches. Co-ed divisions by grade level (2nd/3rd, 4th/5th, etc.) run from November through February with weekly practices and Saturday games. A great option emphasizing teamwork and sportsmanship.
A competitive youth sports organization offering structured basketball leagues and player development programs in the East Bay. Ideal for players looking for a step up from recreational play.
Based in San Leandro, the "Future" program targets young players (K–2nd grade) with lower hoops, developmental coaching, and controlled scrimmages. A perfect confidence-building entry point before joining competitive leagues.
Youth basketball league in Oakland and San Ramon featuring team-based play in a "mistake-friendly" environment. Designed for beginner to intermediate players who want game experience without high-pressure competition.
The camps and training programs below cover a wide range of commitment levels. Some — like Triple Threat Academy and HARD Parks & Rec — are great for children with a casual or mild interest in the sport, offering low-pressure environments to have fun and stay active. Others — like Breakdown Hoops and The WE Facility — are geared toward children who intend to take their training a bit more seriously with individualized coaching and structured development.
The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) and other local parks & rec departments run affordable basketball camps and clinics during school breaks. A budget-friendly way to keep kids active and learning.
CSUEB hosts summer basketball camps for ages 5–13 coached by the university's Men's Basketball staff and college players. Great facility and exposure to a collegiate environment in Hayward.
Directed by Frank Knight, head boys' basketball coach at Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward. This co-ed day camp (ages 7–15) focuses on fundamentals, shooting technique, and footwork. One of the premier camps in the area.
In addition to the Jamba League, Triple Threat Academy offers skill-building camps and clinics at their Oakland and San Ramon locations. Great for focused fundamental work.
Located in Hayward, Breakdown Hoops offers 1-on-1 training, custom workout plans, and open gym sessions. Great for players who want individualized skill development with progress tracking.
A comprehensive sports training academy offering basketball camps, clinics, and year-round player development programs for youth across the East Bay.
Located in Livermore, The WE Facility offers skills training, shooting clinics, small group and private sessions, camps, and club teams. They also offer dedicated “Training for Her” — empowering, skill-focused sessions specifically for girls. A great option for players ready to train with purpose.
💡 Don't overlook local AAU teams! Many East Bay AAU organizations offer camps, clinics, and open training sessions during the off-season — a great way to get high-level coaching without the commitment of a full travel team.
At this age, the goal is simple: fall in love with the game. Use games, play, and fun challenges to build coordination and confidence.
For kids in 2nd and 3rd grade, basketball should feel like recess, not boot camp. The best coaches at this level use games, relays, and creative challenges to teach dribbling, passing, and shooting without kids even realizing they're "training." The Jr. NBA has outstanding free resources — here are some of the best videos for this age group.
Jr. NBA — Isiah Thomas teaches simple dribbling fundamentals and stationary ball-handling for beginners.
Jr. NBA — Allan Houston breaks down age-appropriate shooting mechanics and proper form.
Jr. NBA — Passing and cutting fundamentals to build accuracy, timing, and court awareness.
Pro tip: Make it a game. Turn every drill into a competition — against themselves, a timer, or a partner. "How many dribbles without losing the ball?" or "Can you make 5 shots before the song ends?" Kids this age thrive on play. When they're giggling and trash-talking, that's when the learning sticks. Joy is the fuel for long-term development.
Now we begin layering technique on top of the joy foundation — but never losing sight of the fun that got them here.
By 4th and 5th grade, kids are ready for more intentional skill development — but the balance between joy and technique is critical. Push too hard and you'll snuff out the spark that makes them want to come back. The best approach is to introduce technical details gradually, sandwiched between games and scrimmages they love. Teach a proper triple-threat stance, then let them use it in a 1v1 game. Break down a layup, then run a fast-break drill that ends with cheering.
Jr. NBA — Crossover progressions at different heights to develop advanced handles.
Jr. NBA — Proper layup footwork, off-hand development, and finishing at the rim.
Jr. NBA — Defensive stance, sliding, closeouts, and backpedal drills to build habits early.
Balance is everything. At this age, kids are beginning to compare themselves to peers and can feel frustrated when skills don't come easily. Celebrate effort over results. Mix structured drills with free play. End every practice with something they look forward to — a scrimmage, a shooting contest, or a team cheer. The goal is to build competence and confidence together.
Whether you're stepping into coaching for the first time or looking to refine your approach, these resources can make a real difference.
Coaching clinics for youth basketball can be surprisingly hard to find. One that comes highly recommended is Super Skills Basketball. Their clinics focus on teaching coaches how to run effective, age-appropriate practices and develop players the right way.
Recommended ClinicI have personally attended three coach training sessions with Positive Coaching Alliance, and it has truly shaped how I approach coaching. Their workshops focus on creating a positive, growth-oriented environment where kids thrive — both as athletes and as people. I highly recommend it for prospective coaches or parents who want to nurture their child’s sport development.
The Diocese of Oakland's Catholic Youth Organization is one of the best-value introductions to organized basketball in the East Bay. All CYO coaches are required to be fingerprinted and attend safety training, giving parents added peace of mind.
Teams organized by grade level starting from 2nd grade.
Contact your parish's CYO Athletic Director to confirm which timeline applies to your area. Teams organized by grade level starting from 2nd grade.
CYO teams are organized by parish boundaries. Each parish covers a defined geographic area, and players must register with the parish that corresponds to their home address (unless they attend that parish's school or faith formation program).
You can look up your parish assignment using the Diocese of Oakland CYO website. Contact the Parish CYO Athletic Director at your local parish for specific boundary questions.
CYO is one of the best-kept secrets in East Bay youth sports. It offers:
When your child is ready for more competitive play, AAU can be a great next step — but finding the right fit takes time and research.
AAU basketball in the East Bay is a crowded space with many teams — and, frankly, many inexperienced coaches. But a lot of parents believe AAU is the only path for children with skill or drive to play at a higher level than recreational basketball can offer.
I only have direct experience with four local programs that cater to both girls and boys, but I have seen enough to realize that finding the perfect fit for your family may take some time. Programs vary widely in coaching quality, cost, time commitment, and culture. Don't be afraid to attend open practices, ask questions, and talk to other families before committing.
Monthly fees across existing AAU programs typically range from $150–$450 per month, plus a uniform fee. These fees cover coach compensation, gym rentals, and tournament entry.
When existing programs don't fit, sometimes the best move is to build your own.
Let's imagine that you've dipped your toes into the AAU world and you're not very satisfied. Maybe the coaching doesn't align with your values, the costs are too high, or the culture isn't the right fit for your child. Maybe you have a coaching background yourself, or you've attended some of the coaching workshops I mentioned above.
A grassroots program built the right way can give kids meaningful competitive experience without the high costs and questionable coaching that plagues parts of the AAU world. The key is to start with a clearly stated goal — is your program about building community? Winning? Teaching fundamentals? Player development? Whatever your goal is, define it early and let it guide every decision you make, from which tournaments you enter to how you run practice.
If you're willing to do the work yourself, you can build a quality program for significantly less than what most AAU organizations charge. Here's how to get started:
Finding gym space is often the biggest logistical challenge. These platforms make it easier:
Many churches and community centers also rent gym time at reasonable rates — don't be afraid to call around.
You don't need Nike contracts. Affordable custom jerseys are available through:
Getting into tournaments is straightforward with these platforms:
Many local tournaments are posted on social media — follow East Bay basketball pages on Instagram for the latest.
Keep families organized and communication flowing with dedicated team management tools:
Both offer free tiers that work great for small grassroots programs.