Learn About Us
Our Goal:
Our mission is to build self‑confidence by helping your child believe in their own strengths and understand that they are capable of achieving all their goals, in and beyond the gym.
We created an environment where your child will be challenged to do a little more each class and through positive reinforcement, we will celebrate their progress as they grow.
As the leading youth basketball school in Queens, we are committed to maintaining our proud 29-year history.
If you have a moment, read what other parents say on our FANS page.
Why We Are Different
First Shot is where kids learn, friendships are formed and basketball is fun!
Our classes are age-specific, specially developed lessons that introduce beginner and advanced instruction and team concepts. Each student is treated equally. We don’t have “stars” in our classes. We have successes. Our teaching style is geared to make each player feel like a winner inside where it really counts.
If your child wants to learn but feels unsure his or her abilities, this is the ideal program. Since 1997 we’ve been working with children who don’t want to be left out when their friends choose players for a game. No child should experience that. We know how to teach the game and show each child how capable they are of succeeding.
- Our coaches are our product. They are not volunteers, not someone’s else’s father or a High School kid. They are experienced basketball teachers who are paid and trained to First Shot’s standards. They know how to teach and speak to the children in a positive, motivating way.
- Our classes are well organized but never overwhelming.
- Make-up opportunities for missed classes during the season.
- Small classes mean lots of one-to-one instruction. We take only 20 students in most classes.
- Children are taught at an age-appropriate pace; ensuring beginners feel comfortable, while more experienced players continue to progress.
- Each full class has 4 basketball coaches.
- Low child-to-coach ratio ensures each child receives individual attention and improves at his or her own rate while having fun.
- We teach them the basic skills, including shooting, passing, dribbling with a healthy dose of good sportsmanship. We explain their role on a team and we do it all without any pressure. Even our competitive classes are never cut-throat.
- Every child plays all the time.
- Safe indoor gyms.
It’s all about VALUE.
You will notice First Shot is a little more expensive than other basketball programs. But for a good reason.
The ratio of coach to child is 1-5. So, if we have 15 children in a class, you can expect to see 3 coaches. This means your child will receive personal attention whenever it is needed. Our coaches are hand-picked, screened, and trained in the art of teaching and talking to your children in a kindly, positive manner. We do not accept volunteers or parents of other students. And many of our coaches have been with us for years.
So sometimes, paying a little more is a bargain compared to paying too little. If you underpay and your child is not happy, then you wasted all your money and will wish you came to First Shot in the first place. But, it’s important to us not to have an unhappy parent or child. That’s why we have Free trial lesson. (click here to learn more)
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
JOEL MANSBACH
First Shot was founded in 1997, by Joel Mansbach, who committed to creating a one-of-a-kind program that would teach the game in a unique manner. Believing children should learn before they compete, First Shot doesn’t put a child on the court and say “go play,” because initially they don’t understand what they are doing. Instead, the First Shot method prepares the children with the right foundation for the game.
“I believe while children are learning to play basketball, they are also gaining confidence in all their capabilities. Their First Shot training will prepare them with a keen knowledge of the game and an understanding of their role on a team. But, more importantly, a child will learn that with good preparation and diligent practice, they will be able to reach all of their personal goals in and beyond the schoolyard.”
– Joel Mansbach