Youth Basketball Coach - Coach II

Description

Position Summary

The South Mountain YMCA is seeking a capable, enthusiastic, and dependable Youth Basketball Coach II to lead a variety of basketball programs serving children of different ages and skill levels.

Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Youth Sports, the Coach II will be responsible for serving as the lead instructor for assigned programs, planning and delivering engaging, developmentally appropriate basketball instruction, and coordinating with supporting coaches when applicable.

This position will play an important role in the continued growth of South Mountain YMCA Basketball, working across our introductory and evaluation based programs. The ideal candidate is a confident instructor who can effectively manage groups, adapt instruction to different developmental stages, and create a positive, structured learning environment.

What This Position Offers

This position provides an opportunity to take on meaningful coaching responsibilities within a growing youth basketball program. Coaches will gain hands-on experience leading programs across multiple age groups and developmental stages, strengthening their instructional abilities, practice organization, group management, and communication skills.

With consistent programming opportunities throughout the week and on weekends, the role offers the chance to develop as a youth basketball coach while contributing to a structured, development-focused basketball environment.

As South Mountain YMCA Basketball continues to expand, opportunities for additional coaching responsibilities and professional growth may become available.

Essential Functions

• Plan, organize, and lead age-appropriate basketball practices, instructional classes, and skill-development sessions for youth participants.
• Serve as the lead instructor for assigned programs, managing group instruction, activities, transitions, and participant engagement while coordinating with assistant coaches when applicable.
• Maximize active participation and time on task through efficient practice organization, purposeful drill design, and effective group management, minimizing unnecessary waiting, standing in lines, and inactivity.
• Maintain a consistent, engaging pace of instruction, anticipating transitions, adapting activities as needed, and ensuring participants remain actively involved throughout each session.
• Teach fundamental basketball skills, including ball handling, passing, shooting, footwork, defensive principles, and introductory team concepts.
• Adapt instruction to accommodate participants of varying ages, abilities, and experience levels, emphasizing progressive skill development and individual improvement.
• Implement the South Mountain YMCA Basketball curriculum and player-development philosophy, emphasizing skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, confidence, and enjoyment of the game.
• Lead and support In-House Development League game-day operations, including player organization, game management, instructional coaching, and maintaining a positive competitive environment.
• Communicate clearly, positively, and professionally with players, parents, and guardians, prioritizing a supportive participant and family experience while setting clear expectations and providing constructive feedback.
• Foster an inclusive, encouraging environment where participants feel valued, challenged, and motivated to improve.
• Coordinate with assistant coaches and other program staff to maintain consistent instructional standards, efficient program delivery, and a positive participant experience.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and well-supervised environment for all participants.
• Assist with attendance tracking, equipment organization, gym setup and breakdown, and other routine program responsibilities.
• Work collaboratively with basketball leadership to evaluate program effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement, and support the continued growth of youth basketball offerings.
• Model and promote the YMCA's core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
• Follow all YMCA policies, procedures, and child safety standards.

Schedule and Availability

This is a part-time, hourly position with opportunities for consistent weekday evening and weekend assignments.

Programming opportunities generally fall within the following windows:

• Monday–Friday: 5:30 PM–8:30 PM, with potential for additional evening hours as programming expands.
• Saturday and Sunday: Programming takes place between 9:00 AM and 7:30 PM. Candidates should be available to work extended weekend shifts, typically ranging from 4–8 hours, with breaks as scheduled.

Consistent weekend availability is a priority for this position, as the Coach II will play a key role in leading youth basketball programs and In-House Development League game days.

Actual schedules and weekly hours will vary based on program offerings, enrollment, and seasonal needs.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to effectively teach basketball fundamentals and lead structured, developmentally appropriate instruction for youth participants.
• Ability to serve as the lead instructor for assigned programs, confidently managing groups of children while coordinating with assistant coaches when applicable.
• Strong organizational and instructional skills, with the ability to maintain an engaging pace, maximize active participation, and minimize unnecessary downtime during sessions.
• Ability to adapt coaching methods, activities, and communication to accommodate different ages, abilities, skill levels, and learning styles.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a commitment to creating positive, supportive experiences for players and families.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback, establish clear expectations, and maintain a structured, encouraging learning environment.
• Dependability, punctuality, professionalism, and the ability to consistently manage assigned coaching responsibilities.
• Willingness to implement established basketball curriculum, instructional standards, and program-development objectives.
• Ability to work collaboratively with basketball leadership, fellow coaches, and other YMCA staff.
• Consistent availability for weekday evening programming and extended weekend assignments, including shifts of approximately 4–8 hours.
• Commitment to the YMCA's mission, core values, inclusion standards, and youth safety policies.
• Ability to successfully complete required background checks, child protection training, and YMCA-required certifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience coaching, teaching, or leading organized youth basketball or comparable youth sports programs.
• Experience working with children across multiple developmental stages, particularly ages 4–13.
• Experience serving as a lead coach, instructor, teacher, or youth program facilitator.
• Familiarity with organizing and facilitating youth recreational basketball leagues, practices, and game-day activities.
• Experience coordinating or providing direction to assistant coaches or other supporting staff.
• Experience working in a YMCA, school, recreation department, camp, or comparable youth-development setting.
• Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to actively participate in basketball instruction, including demonstrating fundamental movements, skills, and drills.
• Ability to stand, walk, move throughout the gymnasium, and remain physically active for extended periods.
• Ability to set up, move, and organize basketball equipment and program materials.
• Ability to maintain appropriate visual and auditory supervision of participants in an active gymnasium environment.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.