WHY NEXT PLAY BASKETBALL?
Next Play Basketball is designed to provide structured, engaging basketball experiences that help young athletes build confidence, stay active, improve skills, and develop confidence, communication, teamwork, and movement skills through engaging basketball gameplay.
Our programs focus on four key areas of development:
• Social & Emotional
• Cognitive
• Communication & Confidence
• Physical Development
Physical Development
We keep athletes moving! Every Next Play Basketball session is designed to support physical development through active, engaging basketball training and gameplay.
As players dribble, pass, defend, pivot, jump, react, and compete, they improve coordination, balance, footwork, agility, body control, conditioning, and overall athleticism. Our programs are designed to meet athletes at different ages and skill levels while helping them progressively improve through structured repetition and live play.
Social & Emotional Development
At Next Play Basketball, building confidence and character is just as important as learning basketball skills. Through teamwork, gameplay, communication, and positive coaching, athletes develop social skills that extend far beyond the court.
Our coaches create an encouraging environment where players learn the value of effort, leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, and resilience. Basketball also teaches players how to support teammates, handle adversity, stay disciplined, and continue improving through repetition and effort — valuable life lessons that carry into school, friendships, and everyday life.
Cognitive Development
Basketball is a game that constantly challenges athletes to think, react, and make decisions. At Next Play Basketball, players are introduced to age-appropriate concepts that help improve focus, awareness, problem-solving, sequencing, and basketball IQ.
Our structured, game-based environment helps athletes strengthen memory recall, creativity, decision-making, and understanding of concepts through movement and repetition in a fun, high-energy setting.
Communication & Confidence
Our program is designed to help athletes become more confident communicators both on and off the court. Through team activities, gameplay, and coach interaction, players are encouraged to communicate, ask questions, encourage teammates, and express themselves in positive ways.
Coaches use clear instruction, positive reinforcement, and consistent encouragement to help athletes build self-belief while learning new skills. Players are continually exposed to important concepts like confidence, discipline, teamwork, leadership, and perseverance — helping them develop stronger communication habits, self-expression, and personal growth.
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
As a former Division I athlete, coach, and mentor, Courtney Larsen has always viewed basketball as more than just a sport — but as a powerful tool for growth, confidence, discipline, and connection.Through years of playing, coaching, and mentoring athletes of all ages, she developed a passion for creating positive, structured basketball environments where kids feel encouraged, challenged, and excited to learn. Her experience working with young athletes showed firsthand how sports can impact children far beyond skill development — helping them grow socially, mentally, emotionally, and physically while building confidence through effort, teamwork, and consistency. Next Play Basketball was created with the vision of providing high-energy, engaging programming that helps athletes stay active, develop skills, compete, and genuinely enjoy the game in a supportive community environment.Her goal is not only to help athletes improve on the court, but to create experiences that build confidence, leadership, communication, resilience, and a lifelong love for sports and movement.
ABOUT OUR COACHES
At Next Play Basketball, our coaches are committed to creating a positive, energetic, and encouraging environment where athletes can grow both on and off the court.
Our coaching staff is made up of former athletes, experienced mentors, and individuals who are passionate about youth development through sports. Coaches are selected not only for their basketball knowledge, but for their ability to communicate, lead, motivate, and connect with young athletes in a supportive and professional manner.
All coaches go through a screening and onboarding process designed to maintain a safe, structured, and development-focused environment for every athlete and family involved in the program.
Our coaches focus on:
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Positive encouragement and confidence-building
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Age-appropriate skill development
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Leadership, teamwork, and communication
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Creating engaging, high-energy sessions
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Teaching discipline, effort, and sportsmanship
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Helping athletes learn through gameplay and repetition
At Next Play Basketball, we believe the right coaching environment can make a lasting impact on a child’s confidence, development, and love for the game.
If you have a passion for positively impacting children, we would love to talk to you BELOW.
