Background

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Winnetka, Illinois, Hoops4Health is a premier year-round youth basketball organization dedicated to serving boys and girls of all ages and skill levels across the North Shore and the greater Chicago Metropolitan Area. Our program is built on a foundation of passionate, experienced coaches who are committed to teaching the game of basketball while fostering health, wellness, and personal growth. We offer a comprehensive range of programming, including Travel AAU teams, developmental leagues, seasonal camps and clinics, and personalized training sessions. With over 1,000 students participating annually, Hoops4Health has grown into one of the largest and most respected youth basketball programs in the Midwest—recognized for our emphasis on fundamentals, individualized attention, and inclusive approach to player development.

Our Mission

Our mission is to make a positive impact and better the lives of our students. We also teach the fundamentals of basketball, while promoting a healthy lifestyle. We strive to lead and inspire each student to be able accomplish their goals and dreams. Each student learns worth, ethics, leadership skills, and the importance of being a great teammate. Most of all, we want each player to have fun and build a love for the game. Basketball has had a positive impact on the lives of each Hoops4Health coach and we strive for that in every player.

Hoops4Health was founded on the 4 principles of mind, body, nutrition, and discipline. Each season, Hoops4Health dedicates a week to discussing and promoting a healthy lifestyle called "Nutrition Week." The benefits of healthy eating and living habits are discussed with each team. We teach the importance of overall healthy lifestyle which includes proper rest, nutritious meals, and exercise. These elements can help lead to being a better athlete, student, and healthier person.

THE 4 TENETS OF A HOOPS4HEALTH ATHLETE

Mind

To teach the mental aspect of the game. This includes an understanding of the game such as team play, rules, confidence, focus, working on weaknesses, and improving on strengths.
To teach meditation. This can include visualization and breathing techniques.
Learning Tai-Chi and/or Yoga is also very good for proper calmness and increasing flexibility.
Promoting the importance of education and getting good grades in school and well as being a respectable young person.
Sportsmanship - Always showing respect to those around you.

Body

Mind

The body needs to be taken care of properly to prevent injuries, increase on-court performance, and be in good shape.
Flexibility will be stressed. We will teach proper stretching techniques from basic to advance, such as using bands, Yoga, and Tai-Chi.
We will teach proper conditioning. Conditioning will be achieved through basketball drills. This will include aerobic and anaerobic.
Building speed and power. Our program will be tailor-made for the individual and age. A mix of basics like pull-ups, push-ups, crunches, and jumping rope, will be combined with advanced techniques like plyometrics, medicine ball, ladder drills, weightlifting, and band exercises. We will introduce exercises for players to do at home.

Nutrition

Discipline

This is a vital component of the mind and body. We want to teach how important it is that what we put in our bodies is of the utmost importance in maintaining good health.
Teach about proper healthy food choices and the importance of fruits and vegetables
Teach about choosing quick, healthy snacks/meals over fast food
Teach about the importance of organic foods
Staying hydrated throughout the day and the importance of drinking water, low sugar juices, and tea instead of colas.
Staying away from too much caffeine
Staying away from drugs and alcohol

Discipline

Discipline is a key essential in completing the previous 3 elements of our program.
We want to show each student that a disciplined approach is one in which the parts make the whole, that it’s doing the tasks presented and staying committed to them that will lead to a healthier lifestyle and being a better basketball player.
We will show different ways of being disciplined, such as charting progression, goal and task sheets, commitment, and leading with vision.