GPLYBL - Spring 2026

OVERVIEW

Great Plains Lutheran Youth Basketball League (GPLYBL) strives to give boys and girls in Kindergarten through 2nd grade a positive experience learning fundamental basketball skills and playing team basketball. Our coaches are committed to helping each player grow.

There will be separate divisions for boys and girls with approximately 8 players on each team.

Each weekly session will last 60 minutes. Each session will consist of a 30-minute team practice and a 30-minute game with another team.

Score will be kept during the games. An age appropriate amount of competition in sports can help children learn to pursue excellence. We will wrap up the season with a "tournament" during the last session.

GPLYBL is open to everyone in the community. If any questions come to mind, please contact league director Matt Bauer at [email protected] or 605-886-0672.

SCHEDULE

Practice/Game Sessions (9:00 or 10:30am):

• Saturday, March 14
• Saturday, March 21
• Saturday, March 28
• Saturday, April 4 - OFF FOR EASTER WEEKEND
• Saturday, April 11

Tournament Session (times TBD):

• Saturday, April 18

AGE-APPROPRIATE

We play with 8.5-foot goals and junior size (27”) basketballs so these young players can learn proper technique without being burdened by a goal that is too high and a basketball that is too heavy.

SKILL DEVEOPMENT

• Dribbling, passing, and shooting
• Jump stops, pivoting and rebounding
• Team defense: basics of man-to-man
• Team offense: basics of movement and spacing
• Basic rules of basketball

FEATURES

Each player will receive a GPLYBL team T-shirt they need to wear to each session. The season will culminate with a brief awards ceremony in which the players will receive commemorative medals for their participation.

PLAYER EQUIPMENT

Each player must be equipped with:

• Functional athletic attire, GPLYBL team T-shirt
• No metal jewelry, hairpieces, etc.
• Non-marking indoor athletic shoes (wood gym floor)
• Water bottle (if desired)

CONTACT INFO

If any questions come to mind, contact GPLYBL director Matt Bauer at [email protected] or 605-886-0672.

CONSENT AND WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY

I agree that on behalf of the child being registered in GPLYBL, I will not hold Great Plains Lutheran High School of Watertown, SD and/or its staff, coaches and employees responsible for any injury, accident or loss of property however caused. It is further agreed that all risks involved in participating in GPLYBL are assumed by the child and his parent(s) or guardian(s), who are responsible for the medical wellbeing of the participant and for all medical costs incurred in case of injury while participating in GPLYBL. I agree to allow my child to be treated by an emergency medical response team or a licensed physician in the case of an emergency.

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Host or Publisher Matt Bauer