Youth Basketball Coach - Coach II

Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges • Maplewood, NJ

3d

About The Position

The South Mountain YMCA is seeking an enthusiastic and dependable Youth Basketball Coach II to lead basketball programs for children of different ages and skill levels. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Youth Sports, the coach serves as lead instructor for assigned programs, plans and delivers developmentally appropriate instruction, and coordinates with supporting coaches when applicable. The role supports introductory and evaluation-based programs and helps contribute to the growth of South Mountain YMCA Basketball.

The coach leads practices, classes, skill-development sessions, and In-House Development League game-day activities. Instruction emphasizes basketball fundamentals, progressive skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, confidence, and enjoyment. The coach adapts activities and communication to participants’ developmental stages and abilities, manages groups effectively, and maintains an inclusive, positive, structured, and safe learning environment. The role also includes communicating with families, coordinating with staff, tracking attendance, organizing equipment, and supporting program improvement.

This is a part-time, hourly position with weekday evening and weekend assignments. Programming generally occurs Monday through Friday from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM, with possible additional evening hours, and on Saturdays and Sundays between 9:00 AM and 7:30 PM. Candidates should be consistently available on weekends for shifts typically lasting 4–8 hours. Actual schedules and weekly hours vary based on program offerings, enrollment, and seasonal needs. Salary is $21.00–$25.00.

Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to teach basketball fundamentals and lead structured, developmentally appropriate instruction for youth.
• Ability to serve as lead instructor and confidently manage groups of children, coordinating with assistant coaches when applicable.
• Strong organizational and instructional skills, including the ability to maintain an engaging pace, maximize active participation, and minimize downtime.
• Ability to adapt coaching methods, activities, and communication to different ages, abilities, skill levels, and learning styles.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and a commitment to 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 ability to manage assigned coaching responsibilities consistently.
• Willingness to implement established basketball curriculum, instructional standards, and program-development objectives.
• Ability to collaborate 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 mission, core values, inclusion standards, and youth safety policies.
• Ability to complete required background checks, child protection training, and YMCA-required certifications.

Nice To Haves

• 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 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 in a YMCA, school, recreation department, camp, or comparable youth-development setting.
• Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and lead age-appropriate basketball practices, instructional classes, and skill-development sessions for youth.
• Serve as lead instructor for assigned programs, managing instruction, activities, transitions, and participant engagement, and coordinating with assistant coaches when applicable.
• Organize practices and design drills to maximize active participation and minimize unnecessary waiting and inactivity.
• Maintain an engaging instructional pace, anticipate transitions, and adapt activities as needed.
• Teach basketball fundamentals, including ball handling, passing, shooting, footwork, defensive principles, and introductory team concepts.
• Adapt instruction to participants’ ages, abilities, experience levels, and developmental stages, emphasizing progressive development and individual improvement.
• Implement the South Mountain YMCA Basketball curriculum and player-development philosophy, emphasizing skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, confidence, and enjoyment.
• Lead and support In-House Development League game-day operations, including player organization, game management, instructional coaching, and maintaining a positive competitive environment.
• Communicate positively and professionally with players, parents, and guardians; set clear expectations and provide constructive feedback.
• Foster an inclusive, encouraging environment where participants feel valued, challenged, and motivated to improve.
• Coordinate with assistant coaches and program staff to maintain consistent instructional standards and efficient program delivery.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and well-supervised environment for participants.
• Assist with attendance tracking, equipment organization, gym setup and breakdown, and other routine program responsibilities.
• Work with basketball leadership to evaluate program effectiveness, identify improvements, and support growth of youth basketball offerings.
• Model YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, and follow YMCA policies, procedures, and child safety standards.

Benefits

• Opportunity to gain hands-on experience leading programs across multiple age groups and developmental stages.
• Consistent programming opportunities throughout the week and on weekends.
• Potential opportunities for additional coaching responsibilities and professional growth as the program expands.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed