Skilled play learned at miniball

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 11, 12 August 1986, Page 20

Skilled play learned at miniball

Jefferine O'Sullivan lives in Ohakune, has a full-time job, and manages to coach miniball, a simplified version of basketball, in her spare time. Jefferine trained to be a basketball coach in Palmerston North and is now a level one, New Zealand qualified basketball coach. She started teaching basketball skills to adults about three years ago and now also teaches children aged between five and twelve the game of miniball. Jefferine was worried at the low standard of basketball in the Waimarino area and decided that young children needed to be taught the basics if they were to compete. She was alarmed at how many adults played basketball and didn't know

the fundamental skills of ball handling, and she decided miniball was the answer. The children who attend miniball practice are given a good grounding in the basics that will enable them to compete more skilfully. The team numbers between 12 and 1 5 children age from eight to twelve years. They have been practising together as a team for just three and a half months, some for a shorter time, but already their coach has seen improvement in their abilities. Miniball is a smaller version of basketball, in the sense that the rules and specifications are changed to accommodate the younger person. A miniball court is

smaller, and the height of the ring lower than for standard basketball. The ball itself is also lighter. Rules for play vary slightly for the younger player. A miniball team must consist of 10 players or more, five on the court at one time as with basketball, but with five compulsory substitutes to enable every member of the team to play. There are also more breaks for the miniballers who supposedly have a lower level of fitness than the adult basketball player. Practice sessions are held on Thursday nights and a few hours over the weekend. The miniball "season" doesn't really exist. Coaching carries on for as long as there is sufficient interest and an adequate

number turning up for practice. Jefferine and her team are at present training hard fora knock-out tournament in Taumarunui in two to three weeks time. The emphasis will be not on winning but on practising the skills that have been learnt during coaching. Jefferine is hopeful that they will perform well and has said that she is very proud of her team.