iHoops Announces Partnership with the National Federation of State High School Associations

iHoops.com March 3, 2010

iHoops, the official youth basketball initiative of the NCAA and NBA, has announced a partnership with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

 

iHoops and the NFHS are partnering to develop a comprehensive program of basketball coaching education that will be available at iHoops.com.  Two courses will be developed, one for coaches of teams 12 and under and another for coaches of teams in the age groups 13-19.  The course outlines and content are a collaborative effort between the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University, iHoops and NFHS staff.  Indianapolis based Creative Street Media Group will produce the online courses including unique video and animated elements of the courses.

 

 “The iHoops’ Coach Education courses are designed for all individuals who wish to develop, enhance, or improve their knowledge of how to teach the game,” said Neil Dougherty, iHoops Director of Athlete and Coach Programs.  Dougherty is the former head men’s basketball coach at Texas Christian University and was an assistant coach at Kansas under Roy Williams as well as an assistant at South Carolina and Vanderbilt.  “These interactive on-line courses include actual footage of offensive and defensive drill instruction that can be a valuable resource for all coaches.  A comprehensive program of coaching education has been a missing component in the sport and I believe that coaches of all levels will find this to be a valuable learning experience to help them improve their skills and become better coaches.”

 

Course content is research-based and developed by educators and coaches.  Areas of focus will include information on the history of basketball, coaching philosophy that is age group appropriate, health and safety, techniques for teaching basketball skills and strategies, practice organization and game strategies.  The courses are expected to be available in the fall of 2010.  Coaches who complete the online course will receive a certificate as well as other benefits.

 

“The NFHS is extremely pleased to partner with iHoops in this very important educational initiative,” NFHS Executive Director Bob Kanaby said.  “With the nearly 18,000 high schools across America that have boys’ basketball programs and the more than 17,500 that have girls programs, it’s more important than ever to provide excellent coaching education at the grassroots level in support of the existing programs in the scholastic sector.  Having these two courses on the Internet will enable us to get those messages out to the largest possible audience.  It is critical that information such as the fundamentals of the game, coaching techniques, game strategies and the history and educational expectations of the game is disseminated to the masses.  Without question, this initiative will greatly strengthen the great sport of basketball for players, coaches, officials and fans.”

 

About iHoops

iHoops is the official joint youth basketball initiative of the NCAA and NBA.  Its mission is to establish a structure and develop programs to improve the quality of youth basketball in America in order to enhance the athletic, educational and social experience of the participants.  For more information on iHoops programs go to www.iHoops.com.

 

About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)

The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school athletic and fine arts activities.  Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and fine arts activities that help students succeed in their lives.  The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities.  The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level.  Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,000 high schools and 11 million participants in high school activity programs, including nearly 7 ½ million in high school sports.  As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; produces publications for high school coaches, officials and athletic directors; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, spirit coaches, speech and debate coaches and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities.  For more information, visit the NFHS Web site at www.nfhs.org.

Contact:    Sheli Kuhl, iHoops, iHoops@USABasketball.com, 317.493.2932