The PPA
Development Hoops Program
What is PPA's Development Program?
With nearly 300 teams participating, PPA's Development Program is the leading youth sports league in the DMV. Open to players of all levels, the leagues mixes the convenience of local practices and games, with the professionalism of club sports. The only league where parents can form their own teams and choose to have a parent or pro coach. The Development League aims to provide an authentic, developmental, and fun sports experience for all players.
Seasonal Overview:
The Fall 2024 season is going to be one for the ages! We'll have leagues from teams from K - 8th grade. Each team can expect to have an hour long practice during the week, and an hour long game on weekends. Teams can opt out of the practice if they want, and only compete in games. Parents who form teams can choose to have a pro or parent coach. All leagues grades 2 and up will have an end of season tournament included.
Timeline:
June 6: Early Bird Registration Opens
June 18 : General Registration Opens
August 23: Deadline for Managers to Fill Rosters
September 4: Practice Schedule Set
September 3 - 6: Free Agent Placement Period
September 9: Game Schedule Set
September 16 - November 10: Season Start - End
Seasonal Overview
2024 Fall Season:
Registration: June 6 - Aug 23
Season: Sep 16 - Nov 10
2025 Winter Season:
Registration: Mid October
Season: January - March
2025 Spring Season:
Registration: Mid January
Season: April - June
League Breakdown
🏀 KINDERGARTEN BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Phase 1 of Curriculum: At the Kindergarten level, our focus is on fun and helping your players fall in love with the sport. We will introduce them to the basics of the game, including dribbling, passing, and shooting. We'll also work on developing their gross motor skills and ability to follow instructions. Games are played 4 v 4 on 8 foot rims. No double teams or press is allowed. We use a running clock with 18 minute halves.
- Registration Opens June 6
-
Season runs from Sept 16 - Nov 10
-
Games on Saturdays in NW DC/ Bethesda
-
Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
-
Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
-
Roster Guidelines: 6 - 8 players per team
-
Price: $375/player for Professionally Coach Team, $200/player for Parent Coached Team
🏀 1st GRADE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Phase 1 of Curriculum: At the 1st Grade level, coaches begin introducing fundamental and basic basketball-specific skills and establish building blocks for overall basketball skills. 80% of practice time is spent on individual fundamental training and 20% of the time is spent on actual game competition. Games continue to be 4 v 4 on 8 foot rims. No double teams or press is allowed. We use a running clock with 20 minute halves.
- Registration Opens June 3
-
Season runs from Sept 16 - Nov 10
-
Games on Saturdays in NW DC/ Bethesda
-
Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
-
Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
-
Roster Guidelines: 6 - 8 players per team
-
Price: $375/player for Professionally Coach Team, $200/player for Parent Coached Team
🏀 2nd GRADE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Phase 2 of Curriculum: At the 2nd Grade level, we'll start emphasizing concepts around game play, competing with a team, and building camaraderie. At practices, coaches begin introducing positional concepts and players will be introduced to all player positions. During the season we'll start to keep score and league standings. At the end of the season, they’ll get their first chance to compete for a championship in the prestigious Development League End of Season tournament. Teams will still play 4 v 4 on 9+ foot rims. We use a stopped clock with 18 minute halves.
- Registration Opens June 6
-
Season runs from Sept 16 - Nov 10
-
Games on Saturdays in NW DC/ Bethesda
-
Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
-
Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
-
Roster Guidelines: 6 - 8 players per team
-
Price: $475/player for Professionally Coach Team, $300/player for Parent Coached Team
🏀 3rd GRADE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Phase 2 of Curriculum: At the 3rd Grade level, we continue emphasizing the concepts introduced in the 2nd grade league around playing for a team; being a squad! Coaches begin introducing more advanced technical concepts at practice and league games continue to become more competitive. Games are 4 v 4 on a midsize court with 9+ foot rims with score keeping. We begin to use 20 minute stopped clock halves.
- Registration Opens June 6
-
Season runs from Sept 16 - Nov 10
-
Games on Saturdays in NW DC/ Bethesda
-
Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
-
Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
-
Roster Guidelines: 6 - 8 players per team
-
Price: $475/player for Professionally Coach Team, $300/player for Parent Coached Team
🏀 4th GRADE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Phase 3 of Curriculum: At the 4th Grade level, game play will become more official as games move 5 v 5 on a regulation size court with a regulation size rim and refs will begin tracking team fouls. At practices, coaches start building on fitness goals in addition to overall basketball skills.
- Registration Opens June 6
-
Season runs from Sept 16 - Nov 10
-
Games on Sundays in NW DC/ Bethesda
-
Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
-
Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
-
Roster Guidelines: 8 - 10 players per team
-
Price: $495/player for Professionally Coach Team, $300/player for Parent Coached Team
🏀 5th GRADE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Phase 3 of Curriculum - Like in the 4th grade League, in 5th grade games are played 5 v 5 on a regulation size court with a regulation size rim and refs will begin tracking team fouls. At practices, coaches begin instilling more advanced basketball concepts like 2 man concepts, primary transitional concepts, and secondary transitional concepts.
- Registration Opens June 6
-
Season runs from Sept 16 - Nov 10
-
Games on Sundays in NW DC/ Bethesda
-
Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
-
Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
-
Roster Guidelines: 6 - 8 players per team
-
Price: $495/player for Professionally Coach Team, $300/player for Parent Coached Team
🏀 6-8th GRADE BASKETBALL LEAGUE
Phase 4 of Curriculum - In the final age bracket of the Development Leagues, we aim to make the games as real, competitive and exciting for players as possible. Games now follow all regulation basketball rules including allowing for team plays, running full court press, and double teams. All games are played 5 v 5 on full courts with regulation size balls and rims.
- Registration Opens June 6
-
Season runs from Sept 16 - Nov 10
-
Games on Sundays in NW DC/ Bethesda
-
Practice Locations: see past practice locations here
-
Professional Coach and Parent Coach options available
-
Roster Guidelines: 8 - 10 players per team
-
Price: $495/player for Professionally Coach Team, $300/player for Parent Coached Team
Registration Information
-
Priority Registration Opens June 6: guaranteed placement for returning players
-
General Registration opens June 18: first come first serve until leagues fill
Form a Team
How does this registration work?
It takes one parent to start a team. In the registration, we'll ask you for a team name and then we'll ask if you want a PPA coach assigned or if you have a parent on the team who wants to coach. From there, we'll send you a code and a link you can send around to your child's classmates or friends so they can join your team.
Save $100!
New rebates available for parents who form teams. Click here to learn more.
$100 Rebates for Parent Organizers
Interested in starting your child's team this Fall? We make forming a team easy and give a $100 rebate to parents who step up. Learn More.
PPAforAll Scholarship Program
PPA aims to provide programming for all players, regardless of their financial situation. We offer full and partial scholarships for families with financial needs to ensure everyone can play. Learn More.
Questions about the Fall Leagues?
Text us at: 240-628-8075
Program Philosophy - The Magic Of Sports
It's a Saturday morning and you're an excited parent going to your kid's game. You arrive. Your kid sees teammates already there lacing their shoes, eyes shining, hearts pounding. The game starts. Tommy makes a nice pass and there's a collective cheer. Who's Tommy? Who cares. Lilly takes a shot and misses, but you see her grit through clenched teeth. She wants another shot.
It's not just about the score, it's about the thrill of the game, the rush of a shared goal, the lessons learned in every missed shot. We call this "the magic of sport, " a philosophy we aspire to achieve in our Development Leagues as we shape the future of soccer leagues in the DMV.
We’re not your typical recreational league where players get a high five for their attendance. We're here to spark a love for sport, an understanding of teamwork, and a lesson in resilience. PPA Soccer is about creating passionate athletes, shaping character, and leaving an indelible imprint on the next generation's lives.
Why are the PPA Development Leagues
Best Place to Play Sports with Friends
in DC/MD
A highlight clip from the Girls Dev League Tournament
A highlight clip from the Boys Dev League Tournament
Coaching
At the PPA Team, we are most recognized for having an exceptional coaching team. Our staff boasts impressive playing backgrounds, and each is meticulously trained to fulfill our mission of nurturing players on and off the field. We are dedicated to providing top-notch training clinics to help players excel in their game.
School Teams
We proudly host over 100 schools in our Development League, making it the best place to team up with your classmates and go head-to-head with neighboring schools in a spirited competition.
We've streamlined the process, making it effortless for parents to organize teams from their respective schools
League Play
Our Development League aims to strike the perfect balance of fun and skill development. We design gamedays to be thrilling, featuring special weekends like Spirit Week that add an extra layer of excitement. Meanwhile, in our week-to-week practice sessions, coaches follow an age-specific curriculum that fosters learning and growth.
End of Season Tournament
PPA Development Leagues is one of the few rec basketball leagues in DC that integrate tournaments into our regular season. Unlike most recreational programs where tournaments are played separately, we see these competitions as the best way to wrap up an exciting season of play.
Pathway
Families join the PPA Team because we offer diverse pathways that cater to every player’s journey. Whether your young athlete develops a profound passion for basketball or simply wants to enjoy it for fun, we've got you covered. From recreational play to competing against the best players in the country, PPA has a path for you.
.jpg)