Each Pirate Pal Session will be 8 consecutive Sundays for 1 hour, beginning at 5 pm. It is important that each pal plans to attend all sessions, as there will be no refunds for single day absences. Please register in advance so we can make sure we have adequate coaches for the amount of players.

Pirate Pals is designed for basketball players in 4th through 8th grades. For inquiries outside of that age range, please contact Coach Crumb at acrumb@pencol.edu

Registration fees: $200 new Pal, $150 returning Pal, $150 additional Pal from the same family.

Session I: Sept 29 - Nov 17, 2024 - Event has concluded

Session II: Jan 12 - Mar 2, 2025 - Event has concluded

Session III: April 6 - May 25, 2025 - Registration is open here (choose spring 2025 session from dropdown menu) https://pencol.formstack.com/forms/pirate_pals_registration

Program Overview

The Pirate Pal program brings commitment and passion to the game of basketball.  Our purpose is to help players improve their basketball skills and increase their confidence when playing the game.  In each Pirate Pal session, basketball drills are designed to improve each player’s individual level of play.   

We believe there are a few unique things we offer all players:

• We believe in a positive and encouraging learning environment.
• We believe coaching is teaching.
  • Teaching requires the ability to communicate with the players in a clear, concise way.
• We believe in “skill-based” clinics.
  • We focus on developing a player’s skills through quality teaching and drill repetition.
• We believe in community connection.
  • Our coaches and players are eager to cultivate a bond with our community’s youth and show them what it takes to become a professional in their sport. Pirate Pals will get access to players and coaches, as well as game day experiences. They will be given a Pirate Shirt, Season Pass, the opportunity to engage with individual players, to sit on the bench, and be part of both pre-game and post-game moments. 

The key to this process? Each player must take personal responsibility for improving their own game, while the coaches and players provide the environment for skill development and community engagement.   

Mission Statement

The mission of Pirate Pals is to help the youth of our community become the best basketball players they can be while building connections with their local Pirate Basketball teams. We achieve this through quality instruction with an emphasis on developing the player’s fundamental basketball skills. This is the foundation of all successful basketball players. We will also provide engagement and opportunity for youth players in our community to build connections with Pirate players and coaches.

Pirate Pal Connections

5. 5. 1:4/5 ratio of Pirate Player to Pal during training
   6. Pirate Pal T-Shirt
   7. Season Pass to games for each Pirate Pal
   8. Pre-game and Post-game involvement with Basketball Teams

Skill Development

5. 5. Fundamental Shooting, both in the post and on the perimeter
   6. Perimeter Play
   7. Post Play
   8. Responsibility of being an athlete (attitude, teamwork, sportsmanship, coach ability)

Fundamentals:

• Proper Shooting Technique
• Ball Handling / Triple threat position
• Perimeter footwork
• Post footwork
• Rebounding strategy and footwork

Shooting:

• Form Shooting
• Shooting off the catch
• Shooting off the dribble
• Shooting coming off screens
• Proper footwork & pivoting
• Shooting Accuracy
• Increase Shooting Percentage
• Increase SHOOTING CONFIDENCE

Shooting points of emphasis:

• Feet position and body balance
• Placement of shooting and balance hands
• Shooter learns to use a natural shooting rhythm
• Shooter learns to use proper leg power in the shot
• Shooting both off the dribble and the pass

Ball handling:

• Emphasis on dribbling skills
• Being able to protect the ball in traffic
• Delivery of the ball to teammates
• Breakdown a defender with the dribble
• Improve one’s confidence in handling the ball
• Develop skills to enable the ball handler to see the court