When I first started playing basketball, I was in about the 4th or 5th grade and I wasn’t very good. The teams were co-ed, then, and I spent more time thinking about my freckled, red-headed teammate Mike Fayard than listening to what the coach had to say. It was, as my father has often said, more of a social event for me.
Several years passed before I showed much promise. I think I was quick and fairly athletic, so they kept me around. Eventually things began to sink in.
I’d forgotten this. I’d forgotten how hard it was to learn this game. I’ve played for so many years now that these concepts seem obvious. Cut to the basket. Come to the ball. Pick and roll. ROLL, people, ROLL.
I know, those words don’t mean anything to most of you but trust me, they’re fundamental parts of the game. If your child ends up on a basketball team, these are things she or he will learn.
In all these years, I have played and practiced and cheered but I haven’t coached until now.
To find out how hard it is, and why I do it anyway, see my post over at Midwest Parents today. I’ll be posting there every day this week. Be sure to stop by and say hello!
