This may come as a surprise but I rarely watch basketball anymore. I sat in front of the TV during some games at Dave's over Thanksgiving/Christmas but that's because that's what they, and my nephews, were watching and it's part of the holiday! But I haven't watched an NBA or college game this season. When offered tickets to games over the years, I politely declined although honored to have been invited. The reason is I find watching, either from the stands or my living room, boring. I was talking to a local TV journalist recently about this and he told me he doesn't spend much time watching the news. There is something about wanting to get away from your job on your free time.
Having said all that, you might think I don't enjoy coaching any more. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, I love coaching more than I ever have. Like other coaches, I enjoy practice more than games, a carryover from my playing days in high school/college when I could not wait for practice. The problem I run into is monotony. Girls' basketball has had two major rule changes since I began coaching; the smaller basketball and the three point line, introduced mere years from each other. The strategy has changed some but most skills remain constant. The ruts come in the teaching. If you do the same drill over and over and over for decades, it becomes tedious for coaches and kids who are with you multiple years. That's why I search for different ways to teach the same skills. We've had limited numbers of players the past four years which, while challenging, has benefits, primarily in hands-on instruction. If we don't get better, it's the fault of the coaches.
I love new drills! There are millions on the Internet/you
tube and we introduce new ones to our kids regularly. We like to force them to
adapt and when we play in our practice sessions, we let them make as many
decisions as feasible. We've had basically the same group of girls the
past two years; next season, they will be 8th graders. We only attempted one
or two three point shots this year and made zero- the kids are still
growing into their size and strength. But, they are getting to the point where they need to start looking for three pointers with high school ball only
two years off. So now when we play at the end of each practice, I count any
made three point shots as six. Not only that, every three
point shot attempted that hits the rim counts as a
point, unless it's simply thrown at the goal. As you might expect, the threes
have been flying and two girls have hit a decent percentage. It changes
strategy, too, as a team down by five points can come back to take the
lead on only one possession. I'm not saying we are the
Why change the rules? The girls need to see the reward in doing what is uncomfortable but which can also make them better. There are other wrinkles. When Caylee, our least experienced player, scores, we have given her team five points- it makes Caylee more likely to shoot and her teammates more likely to pass her the ball. Then, there was the week we used the SIKMA RULE. Each time one of our post players made a Sikma Move, doing a rear turn when they catch the ball with their back to the basket, their team was rewarded with a point. Maggie was so proficient at it, we had to stop doing it but it's now in her repertoire! (Jack Sikma is an NBA Hall of Famer who created space by his unconventional move.) We will add other twists as we go on but I hope you get the drift.
Life is a series of choices we make where risk vs. reward
factors into decisions. An example might be dating in the 21st century. A guy
meets an attractive lady who he considers asking out on a date. There is RISK-
rejection, fear of accusations of harassment- versus reward- she might
reciprocate the interest and a relationship is kindled. What are we
willing to risk? In the story of the Rich Young Ruler, the man wants to be a
disciple but can't wrap his heart around the Savior's directive to dispose of
his wealth. Peter then asks the Christ about the reward for following Him,
rightly noting they had left everything in the pursuit of righteousness.
Jesus assures Peter the reward will come because of their sacrifice, both here
and in eternity. I'd like to think I do the right thing just because it's the
right thing to do but I can't say I do. That would make me pure in heart which I'm not. I do think about the reward as well as the cost of disobedience. The momentary risks here- rejection,
being hated or ridiculed, persecution- pale in light of the light of heaven
awaiting the faithful. I tell my students about a girl I really liked in
college but did not ask out because....... you know, she might say no.
And the rest of the story is…… there is no rest of the story. Who knows- I
might have been married by now. Too bad I wasn't my own coach- maybe I would
have taken the shot. And that’s why three sometimes equals six, on the court and in life.
Applicable
quote of the day:
“I am not where I am because of luck. I am where I am because
I took risks others weren’t willing to take. The world rewards the risk takers.
It always has. It always will.”
Dan Pearce
God
bless,
Steve
Luke
18:1
E-mail
me at shawley@westburychristian.org
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