YMCA Sports Programs

Youth Leagues (Boys and Girls, Kindergarten through 6th grade )
A mainstay of YMCA offerings for young people—emphasizes teamwork and cooperation over winning at any cost; developing good values over developing the next superstar.
All youth leagues depend on our volunteer coaches, so please consider volunteering your time to help us have a successful season! Contact Debi Spring at (847) 272-7250, ext. 1224 for more information.

• Buffalo Grove Basketball—Boys and girls; K-6th grade
  Instructional program for kids to learn the fundamentals of basketball and gain experience playing on a team. Held at Tripp Elementary School, 850 Highland Grove, Buffalo Grove. Meets on Friday nights only. First 3 weeks are just practices, remainder of the season are games. Uniform mandatory and available for an additional charge (see Y-Sports Registration Form for prices).
• Northbrook Basketball—Boys and girls; K-6th grade
  Instructional program for kids to learn the fundamentals of basketball and gain experience playing on a team. Held at the YMCA. League format includes 1 practice during the week and games on Saturday afternoons. Uniform mandatory and available for an additional charge (see Y-Sports Registration Form for prices).
• Travel Basketball—Boys and girls; 5th-6th grade
  A competitive league for the advanced player, focusing on an advanced skill set while incorporating the philosophy of the YMCA. Travel locations include Lake Zurich, Palatine, Schaumburg, Des Plaines and Glen Ellyn. Practices on Monday and Wednesday evenings 6:00-7:15pm. League begins in January and games run from January 31st-March 21st.
  Please contact Debi Spring or Vehid Vulic for more information.
• Northbrook Indoor Soccer League—Boys and girls; 1st-6th grade
  League will meet on Friday evenings only in the YMCA gym. First 3 weeks will be practice only; last 7 weeks will be 20 minutes practice, 40 minutes of game. Trophy and soccer jersey included in registration fee. All participants must wear shin guards.
• Buffalo Grove Indoor Soccer League—Boys and girls; 1st-4th grade
  The league will meet on Sunday afternoons only at the JCYS, 1700 Weiland Rd., Buffalo Grove. First 2 weeks will be practice only; last 6 weeks will be 20 minutes practice, 40 minutes of game. Trophy and soccer jersey included in registration fee. All participants must wear shin guards.

Basketball Training Academy
This weekly academy focuses on strengthening basic basketball skills. The topics include: ball handling, passing, shooting, rebounding, defense, transition play and positions.
*Grades Kindergarten-3rd Grade
*Introductory: 4th-8th Grade
*Advanced: 4th-8th Grade

After School Sports Camp (Grades K-5th)
Focuses on a variety of sports, including baseball, soccer, basketball, kickball and dodgeball. Also takes advantage of the X-Zone - participants will get to play Sportwall, Makoto, DDR, Exerbikes and Nintendo Wii.
*Monday and/or Friday from 4:00-5:30pm.

Little Athletes Sports Class (Ages 3-5)
Introduce your child to the world of sports including baseball, basketball and soccer through a variety of games designed for the younger athlete with FUN as the primary objective.
*Wednesday, 10:00-11:00am OR Wednesday, 1:30-2:30pm

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament (Boys and girls; 1st-6th grade)
Tournament will be held on Saturday, March 14th. Schedule will be e-mailed to all participants by Wednesday March 11th. No more than 4 players per team. Individual trophies will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams in each age group. T-Shirt is included in the registration fee.

Baseball Clinic (Boys and girls; Kindergarten-8th grade)
Clinic will meet on Saturday March 21st. K-2nd grade will meet from 12:30-2:00pm and 3rd-8th grade will meet from 2:30-5:00pm. Focus will be on pitching, catching, throwing, batting, and fielding. T-shirt included in registration fee.

The Richard Panitch Volleyball Academy (Boys and girls; 5th-8th grade)
Focus is on key volleyball skills including serving, setting and spiking. The 5th and 6th grades will meet on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30pm. The 7th-8th grades will meet on Thursdays from 7:00-9:00pm.

Tots in Training Gymnastics

• Tots of Fun 2—Ages 2 year olds with adult
  Allows parents (adult) to participate in the development of their tots' large motor skills and socialization. Our staff will supervise your time to play and learn together. Must be 2 years old before session begins.
• X-treme Gymnastics—Ages 3-5 years old
  Basic gymnastics and a half hour of x-zone fun!
• Mighty Jumpers—Ages 3-4 years old
  For children who have little or no experience in a structured gymnastics class. Emphasis is on development of motor skills, coordination and making new friends. Basic tumbling and introduction to various gymnastics equipment.
• Little Skippers—Ages 4-6 years old
  Designed for boys and girls who have been in Mighty Jumpers and want to continue to improve body awareness, strength and enhance coordination. Basic tumbling and instruction on bars, beam and vault.
• Terrific Tumblers—Ages 4-6 years old
  Students build on their skills learned in Little Skippers and continue to make terrific progress. More advanced skills will be taught enabling a smooth transition into Youth Progressive Gymnastics.
  Prerequisite: Little Skippers or Coordinator’s approval.

Youth Progressive Gymnastics
Our Youth Progressive Gymnastics Program is a progressive developmental program. Personal improvement, increased selfconfidence, and fun are our goals. The YMCA program is a progressive program, which allows the students to progress at their own rate and work on their individual needs. The Pre-Team and Competitive Team gymnasts work on compulsory routines. The North Suburban YMCA Gymnastics Team travels and competes in the YMCA League. For more information about our gymnastics program, please call Carol Sassorossi, 847-272-7250, ext. 1220.

• Beginner 1—First grade and up
  This is the first level in our Youth Progressive Gymnastics Program. Emphasis is on on floor work and improving strength. Basic work on uneven bars, balance beam and vault are taught.
• Beginner 2—First grade and up
  Gymnasts learn progressively harder skills on the floor and equipment. Work on increasing strength and flexibility.
  Pre-requisite: Beginner 1 or Coordinator’s approval.
• Advanced Beginner—First grade and up
  Gymnasts work on improving their form and technique through strength conditioning and new skill development. Gymnasts work on Level 3 routines. Twice week classes are encouraged.
  Pre-requisite: Beginner 2 and Coordinator’s approval.
• Gymnastics Pre-Team—Instructor Approval
  These gymnasts continue to learn new and more difficult skills on the floor and equipment while fine tuning their previous skills. Strength, flexibility and conditioning are enhanced. Pre-Team gymnasts are strongly encouraged to participate two times a week.
• Competitive Team—Instructor Approval
  Competitive Team gymnasts will be working Level 4, 5 and 6 routines. The fee does not include meets or team apparel. Competitive Team members must be YMCA members.
  Pre-requisite: Coordinator’s approval.

Tae Kwon Do Beginning (Ages 7-13)
Instructions offered in the art of hand and foot fighting in a health system that focusses on physical fitness, mental discipline, self-confidence and self-defense.

Tae Kwon Do (Ages 14 & up)
The adult version of the art of hand and foot fighting in a health system that focusses on physical fitness, mental discipline, self confidence and self-defense.

Jiu Jitsu (Self-Defense) Beginner (Ages 7-13)
The Japanese art of self-defense includes blocks, break falls, sweeps, throws, releases from holds, and “anything that works to keep you safe.”

Jiu Jitsu (Self-Defense) (Ages 14 & up)
The adult version of the Japanese art of self-defense includes blocks, break falls, sweeps, throws, releases from holds, and “anything that works to keep you safe.”

Little Dragons Karate (Ages 3-6)
This program enhances positive development in a fun and motivating environment. Your child builds balance, coordination, self-control and listening skills while learning age-appropriate karate basics like blocking, kicking and simple strikes.

Youth/Adult Karate (Ages 7 & Up)
Students learn the blocks, strikes and techniques necessary to advance through the ranks of the traditional Japanese art of karate. In addition to developing selfconfidence, physical fitness, focus, selfdefense and safety skills, this class introduces students to traditional Japanese language and culture, while building respect for themselves and others.