Game 2

Well our second basketball game this year was much improved over the first, despite the handicap of having two injured players. In our first game the players weren't talking, they were all trying to be Jordan or someone else that they thought was a one man team, and there were several tugging matches over who was going to get the ball. I told them they could play the first game their way so I fully expected to lose it, and lose we did (30-10). Thursday was a hard practice for the kids and challenging for me as well, I had to explain to the kids a lot of stuff that I don't quite fully understand myself about basketball, and there was MAJOR emphasis on teamwork since trying to be a superstar got us nowhere. The kids payed attention of the majority of practice and were in a much better position to play effectively as a team.

Game day:
I found out game day morning that two of my kids couldn't play. One had gotten a staff infection on his leg and the other had an accident at school during gym. So I had to redo my starting lineup and substitution forms 10 minutes before the game. I explained to the kids that it was going to be a long game since I didn't have enough people to rotate everyone at each substitution opportunity. I must have looked pretty whipped because one of my kids came up to me and said, "It's ok coach, we can handle this. We have the heart you went on and on about at practice. We'll do our best and feel better for it." I took a minute to gather my thoughts and them gave them a rather sappy pep talk and motivated them as best as I could. The hit the court cheering themselves on ready to play. For the first 6 minutes I was amazed. I just stood in awe for probably the first 3 minutes. I watched my players actually hustle up and down the court, I saw players that can't sink a basket in practice, just lob them into the basket like it was nothing and get back down the court ready to defend. At half time I told them how proud I was, that this was the "heart" I was talking to them about. They were fired up more than they were before the start of the game and all they asked me was who was starting the second half, what are we doing wrong, and whats the score? So I told them what to work on and they said ok, we can do that. The score at halftime was 26-14, I had to recount the marks I made twice just to be sure.

The second half of the game wasn't as good as the first from the playing standpoint, fatigue was setting in and not planning on leaving until after nap time. The opposing team hit the court and just looked whipped. I imagined little signs over their heads that said "put us out of our misery." The score got a little closer and the guys were keeping it together for the most part. The part that I was amazed about in the second half was that the other team was pretty worn out and fouling a little bit, but more importantly they were falling down and tripping a lot. Don't ask me why, for the life of me I don't know. My kids did me proud though, they didn't get upset about getting fouled on, they just listened to the ref and shook it off. When the other kids tripped or fell down, they stopped and helped them up patting them on the back as they caught up with the rest of the team. Final Score 36-28.

Post game I let the assistant coach hand out the stars while i ran to my truck real quick and got some stuff for the kids. When I showed back up a few minutes later the kids had waited on me to be there for handing out the stars, so I could be a part of it. After the stars were handed out I told them how proud of them I was, for the improved play, for their sportsmanship that they showed the other players, and for their heart. I was more than happy to reward them with crackerjacks and sunny D. They just lit up and said thanks. I got the sweatiest hugs i think I've ever gotten in my life. I thought to myself as I talked to some of the parents and watched my players leave for the day that this is what upwards is all about.

Coaches Meeting

Last night I had a meeting with my prospective assistant coach for the oncoming basketball season. It went rather smooth which was great because I was stressing out about it a little earlier in the week. As I've stated before Upwards Basketball is a Christian program and is a ministry tool. The man I spoke with is one of the parents of the players on my team, and he is also a Mormon. I was very worried that he might try to interfere with the devotionals during practice. basically I just informed him that one of the responsibilities of being head coach was to give the devotionals. When he said that was fine with him my stress just kinda left me. So no big deal there, and now my team is set. Go Grizzlies!!

A new season around the corner

That's right folks, Upward Basketball is right around the corner. This will be my second year as a head coach for the program. It's hosted by my church again this year and we have 300+ kids signed up and sorted into teams. For those of you who don't know about the program it is a youth ministry done at churches around the country. The primary focus is not on basketball itself but on the basics of Christianity and trying to lead these children to a relationship with The Lord. Awards are given to players at each practice for memory verses and after each game for performance.

The thing I love about this program is that each individual player is evaluated and then assigned to a team. The coaches are then given a roster and a handbook that covers devotions, coaching, and player substitution among other things. Each child gets to start the game at some point during the season on a rotational schedule. In addition no child sits the pine for more than 6 minutes. No longer is it about picking your friends to play with you and the least skilled player rides the pine for the entire game barring injuries. It's finally time to have fair play and you get this with the program.

Game day is a great experience for the kids. They are introduced via MC on the microphone with some "inspirational" music playing. Their big entrance is behind a curtain that they burst through and flowing fog rolling at their feet. That alone makes game day special for them. we do a few warm up shots and then all of the players are gathered in the center of the court for matching up with their assigned person to guard and then a prayer done by the referees. Then the coaches hit the side lines and the game continues until the end.

Post game takes place in the locker room where the kids get some water or Gatorade and talk about the game with the coaches. Then each player is awarded a star for their performance that day. Watching these kids get their awards and congratulate each other is a real treat for me. The positive sportsmanship toward the guys that did great and even the guys that messed up is wonderful.

I can't wait for this season to start in January. I have a meeting with my assistant coach tonight so we can figure out what we want to cover and review the devotionals. Then its just a few short weeks until the first practice. I can't wait (are you getting the point that I'm excited about this).

Regardless I've got to pay the rent so I had best get back to work.

http://www.upward.org/

Joe.