Blendos Mini Hoopers Program Update – Spots Filling Fast! Payment Required to Confirm
- Mar 18
- 4 min read
Posted by Cam Hayes | March 18 2025
To the local basketball community:
Thank you for the incredible early interest in the Blendos Mini Hoopers program at the Oneonta Armory this April. We're already seeing strong demand, with approximately 10 players expressing interest in the 2nd–4th grade session (9:00–10:30 AM) and 10 players for the 5th–6th grade session (10:45 AM–12:30 PM).
Important Reminder: Spots Are Not Confirmed Until Payment Is Received
Interest and emails reserve your place in line, but a spot is only officially confirmed once payment has been received. We’ll confirm registrations on a first-paid, first-served basis to keep things fair and organized.
Key Dates to Remember
March 26th – Last day to sign up and guarantee your preferred t-shirt size (standard or custom). Sign up by this date to ensure we order the right fit!
March 31st – Final registration deadline. No late registrations accepted due to planning, ordering, and gym limits.
Program Start Date: April 4th – First Saturday session kicks off! (Sessions continue every Saturday in April: April 4, 11, 18, and 25)
If demand fills the available spots before March 31st, we’ll close registration early and start a waitlist.
What Happens in Every 90-Minute Session?
Each session is fast-paced, purposeful, and designed to build skills, confidence, and healthy habits. Kids get hundreds of quality repetitions, stay engaged, and learn how to take care of their bodies too.
Multi-Station Skill Rotations — Several stations set up around the gym. Players rotate every few minutes for fresh challenges, tons of ball touches, and personalized coaching feedback. Way more reps than traditional line drills!
2nd–4th Grade Focus (core fundamentals):
Dribbling (stationary pound dribbles, cone weaves, speed dribbles)
Passing & catching (chest passes, bounce passes, overhead passes, wall work)
Shooting mechanics (close-range form shooting, BEEF method – Balance, Eyes, Elbow, Follow-through)
Footwork basics (jump stops, pivots, balance drills, defensive slides)
Layups & finishing (right- and left-hand drives, close finishes)
5th–6th Grade Focus (builds on fundamentals + advanced techniques):
Advanced dribbling (hesitation moves, crossover/run-through combos, intro two-ball dribbling)
Shooting off the dribble (pull-up jumpers, pump fakes)
Defensive positioning (slides, closeouts, on-ball defense)
Pick-and-roll basics, on-ball/off-ball screening
Transition play & fast-break decision-making
Help defense concepts & reading the game
Full Participation Through Sport — High-energy, inclusive games and activities: small-sided 3v3 or 4v4, partner challenges, relay competitions. Everyone touches the ball frequently, scores, and contributes—no long lines or sitting out!
5-on-5 Full-Court Games — We cap off each session with exciting 5-on-5 full-court games to put all the skills into real-game action. Kids experience full-court play, teamwork, fast breaks, defense, and the thrill of competing in a structured, supportive environment. We keep full score and track basic stats so every player sees their impact and learns what matters in organized basketball.
Stretching & Proper Nutrition Practices — We’ll also discuss and practice the importance of stretching (dynamic warm-ups before activity and static stretches after) to stay loose, prevent injury, and improve performance. We’ll talk about proper nutrition too—simple, kid-friendly tips like staying hydrated, fueling with balanced snacks (fruits, nuts, whole grains), eating protein for recovery, and why good food choices help you play better and feel stronger on and off the court.
Basketball History Highlights — Quick, kid-friendly stories woven in throughout: Dr. James Naismith inventing the game in 1891 with peach baskets at 10 feet in Springfield, MA… how it grew into the NBA with iconic teams (New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers)… superstar players like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry… what stats mean (points, rebounds, assists, steals – just like the pros track!)… and the history of Blendos basketball programs and how we’ve been helping local kids build skills and love for the game for years.
Prep for Organized Basketball — Teamwork basics, listening to coaches, core rules, rebounding effort, defensive principles, positions. 5th–6th graders get extra emphasis on next-level readiness: spacing the floor, cutting without the ball, reading defenses, executing simple plays.
Positive, encouraging atmosphere all the way—plenty of water breaks, high-fives, and cheers!
Blend-A-Rama Mini Hoops = Higher Scoring, More Reps, Instant Confidence
Our signature Blend-A-Rama basketball hoops are adjusted for maximum success:
Most games/drills on lowered rims at 8.5 or 9 feet (youth-friendly height for better shooting form, tons more makes, higher scoring, and huge confidence boost!)
Some games played on full 10-foot hoops to gradually introduce regulation height
Paired with regulation youth basketballs (official size and weight for this age group), kids get hundreds of extra shooting and finishing repetitions through success and proper feel, not frustration.
Sponsorship Opportunity Still Open – Make It Free for a Team!
Local businesses, organizations, or supporters: Sponsor a full team of 8 for $400 total to reserve those spots and make the program free for those 8 players—with custom t-shirts featuring the sponsor’s name/logo + each player’s last name on the back. Great community exposure and support for local kids. Mention it in your email—we’ll send the simple sponsorship request form.
Program Details
Standard Registration: $40 per player → Includes official Blendos t-shirt (random number on back if applicable)
Custom T-Shirt Upgrade: $50 per player → Official Blendos t-shirt with last name on back + your choice of number
How to Secure Your Spot Today
Email Program Director Cam Hayes at Blendosfitness@gmail.com with:
Child’s name
Grade
Preferred session (2nd–4th or 5th–6th)
Standard $40 or custom $50 t-shirt option
If interested in sponsorship for a full team of 8
Once we reply with confirmation and payment details, submit payment promptly via:
Check payable to "Blendos" (mailing instructions provided)
Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, Zelle, or other apps (handles/info shared after email)
Spots are first-come, first-served—email now to lock in!
Questions? Let’s Talk
Call or text me directly at 607-287-8444 anytime. I’m happy to answer questions, walk through payment, discuss sponsorships, or help however I can.
With solid early interest and expanded capacity, April is going to be an awesome month of skill-building, healthy habits, 5-on-5 action, and smiles starting April 4th!
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