How to Open a Basketball Camp or Clinic

A basketball clinic is a great way to teach young basketball players the finer points of the game. By bringing together groups of talented players who want nothing more than to improve, coaches can help them achieve their goal with intense practice sessions. Typically, coaches bring in college or professional players to help the young players go through their paces and improve. The administrator of the clinic must secure a location; keep players hydrated; find teachers, coaches and players; and insure the operation.

Instructions

    • 1

      Find a suitable location to run a clinic for 40 to 50 players. A clinic should be small enough that each player can make significant progress and large enough that he can test himself against players of equal or better quality. A large high school or small college gym area can work well. You can divide your clinic up into four stations and have an equal number of players at each station.

    • 2

      Hire great teachers to help players improve. Local coaches generally like to do clinics because it provides them with additional income and an opportunity to help players improve. Find coaches who excel at teaching defense, shooting, dribbling, passing and team play. Each of these coaches can bring in a veteran player to assist her in her area of expertise.

    • 3

      Advertise your clinic in the local newspaper or online. Get the word out to other coaches in your area. You should charge players to participate, and the rate for two or three days may be $100 to $150. You have to make this worth their while with top-of-the-line teachers and competition.

    • 4

      Contact your local school board to help purchase insurance for your event. Your players will sign waivers when they participate, but that covers only injuries that come from participation in a drill, a practice session or a competitive game. If a player trips off the court because of negligence -- a wet floor, for example -- you need insurance in order to protect yourself.

    • 5

      Give out awards at the end of the camp or clinic for the most valuable player, most improved player, best shooter, best dribbler and best defensive player. Give out feedback forms to the players and their parents and ask them for input on the way the clinic was presented.