Photograph by George Sakkestad
Mel Robertson Jr., of Hewlett-Packard, is area director of the National Junior Basketball League.
By LESTER CHANG
Like many youth leagues in the United States, the National Junior Basketball League--with teams in Sunnyvale and other South Bay communities--was set up to help kids stay out of trouble.
But National takes it one step further by using different rules aimed at building self-esteem and confidence, said Mel Robertson Jr., an area director for the league.
For instance, instead of a traditional four-quarter game, National's contests last five quarters, giving all 10 players time on the court.
Moreover, third- and fourth-graders are not allowed to execute a full-court press on defense until the final two minutes of the fifth quarter. This allows younger players a chance to develop their ball-handling skills as they bring the ball up the court, said Robertson, who works at Hewlett-Packard's Cupertino campus.
A version of this rule applies to fifth- and sixth-graders, too. They may only use full-court press during the fifth quarter.
"We are like most other community basketball leagues, as far as helping kids stay off the streets," Robertson said. "But we are unique in how we go about doing it. That is what makes us special."
Another distinctive rule in the league allows its youngest players to score points before the game. Third- and fourth-graders are allowed to take pre-game shots from the foul line, and any baskets they sink are added to the final score, Robertson said.
Smaller balls are used to help players develop their shooting and dribbling skills, he added.
"I have coached YMCA and Amateur Athletic Union basketball leagues, and I don't know of any other leagues that use these types of rules," said Robertson, who sits on a rules committee for the league.
Registration for 155 teams in Santa Clara Valley started on Aug. 15. Individual players pay a fee of $100, which covers the cost of a uniform, trophies and the use of school gyms during league play, Robertson said.
As part of a pilot program for the section, Robertson and several coworkers from Hewlett-Packard also started a scholastic recognition program for the South Bay section last year.
Some of the prizes for scholastic achievements include calculators donated by Hewlett-Packard, cash certificates and T-shirts.
The scholarship program has encouraged players to do well in school, Robertson said. To be able to participate in the program, players must maintain a 2.0 grade-point average or better with no failing grades.
"I recently had two teachers tell me that two students in our basketball program asked for extra school work so they could qualify for the scholarship program," Robertson said. "I think we are doing something here, in the classroom and on the basketball court."
For more information about the South Bay section teams and registration for players, call Rich Supan at 996-7061.
Registration takes place at Roundtable Pizza at 6138 Bollinger Road from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 7 and Sept. 14. For more information, call 996-7061.
South Bay Section teams, meanwhile, are scheduled to play their games at various high-school gyms in Santa Clara Valley. Community residents who want to start up their own teams should call 255-2902.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, September 4, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.