Looking Back to move Forward

Before I go any further talking about a team of the future, allow me to give you a quick background on myself. I grew up the youngest of three boys who were all very active in hockey but my sports career did not go past the youth minor league status as my last season was a disappointing one as it was no longer fun to play the game but rather seemed more of a burden than a pleasure.  I guess you could point that season out as the driving force behind me wanting to keep the game fun for all involved. I eventually did start playing pick-up hockey again but by then my career and family had taken up most of my time.

Well how did I end up being involved in the sport of basketball, it was similar to that of many parents as my eldest daughter wanted to play. Prior to basketball they had tried soccer and skating. When I asked her why basketball she said it was because her best friend at school played it so she wanted to do it also. As a result of playing sports all my youth I couldn’t deny her this chance. Her first season was quite the interesting one as it was not uncommon for her to walk down the court holding hands with her best friend while the game was going on and sometimes going whole games without touching the ball. Since it was house league I was not concerned but more confused. I can recall often asking her after the game if she had had fun and every time she would say yes. You see this confused me as I couldn’t get how someone could enjoy the game when they were not even involved for the most part of the game BUT she was having fun and at the age of 7 that is all that really matters.

Let’s jump ahead 15 years now. My eldest is no longer playing competitive basketball but still follows the game. I now coach my third child and the youngest is also playing.  I began coaching more as an accident when her team needed a coach and it just became an addictive activity from there. I have been coaching competitive basketball for close to 12 plus years now ranging from girls age 7-10 and up to high school senior boys with a two summers coaching a regional elite team in between. Now I am ready to begin my season with 15 and 16 yr old girls team for our area.

You may say that coaching is coaching and there is now difference whether it is 7 year olds or 17 year olds. BUT I beg to differ; it is actually a huge difference as for the younger the age the more teaching is involved versus strategy and motivation as they get older. You see the girls I am coaching this year already know the fundamentals of the game and while they are very adept at performing these skills there is still work to done.  In fact I see my role being similar to that of Phil Jackson back when he was with the championship Chicago Bulls. It will not be a matter of teaching them how to execute the fundamentals but having them play as a team and finding ways to help them enjoy the game they already love. Despite what an outsider may think it goes beyond winning and losing but rather enjoying the experience.