A sports ball communication system includes a band that is to be worn by a participant who is meant to handle the sports ball; and a communication unit constructed and arranged to be worn by the participant on the band. The communication unit includes a main control unit, a memory for storing predetermined messages, and at least one sensor for sensing the actions of the ball by the participant. The system may include as sensors a microphone for sensing a bounce of the ball by the participant, and an accelerometer for sensing a motion of a ball handling hand of the participant.