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Basketball Wrap Up, 2009

Mar 302009

When I first talked about BigBrother playing in our YMCA’s “Itty Bitty” basketball league this year, I was generally impressed with how the program was being handled. This past Saturday was his last game and I am happy to report that we ended the season with the same general feeling.

Some of my favorite things about involving BigBrother in “organized” sports this year.

1. Where we live, winter happens. Because of that, some of our exercising ability (read: way to run off energy) is diminished. While we still have dance parties inside and the tickle monster chases us around, there’s no real opportunity for legitimate, long-stride running. Basketball provided that opportunity.

2. He learned to listen to someone else! Granted, he listens to his teachers at preschool but watching him listen to his coaches was a good experience. He was unsure of why he should listen to those four men at first but, by the end, he really liked his coaches.

3. He made new friends. Only one kid on the team was from his class at preschool. Therefore he met new kids and interacted with them during the games. One older kid took a special liking to him and always made sure he got the ball.

4. He was always so proud. The looks on his face at this last game after his coach held him up to dunk and after he received his trophy were worth all of the initial uncertainty. He was so proud. That, in turn, made me so proud.

There were some negatives, of course.

1. The parents. Unfortunately, if our kids are going to be involved in anything from art to chess club to sports to Boy Scouts to church programs, we’ll have to deal with some over-zealous parents. I know this. But I also know that the one offending parent in question is lucky that I had to miss one game due to my chorale practice and that only my mother-in-law witnessed the negativity. Apparently some over-zealous schmuck was complaining that the three year old teammates “brought the team down.” My mother-in-law replied with “they’re three, they’re learning” and left it at that. I would have given him a polite earful. So, he’s lucky. I know we’ll have to deal with more parents like him who think that they’re child is the next superstar of whatever we’re doing that day. (I’m not blind. BigBrother may have had lots of fun but as of yet does not show remarkable basketball ability. He did learn about the game, however, so I’m pleased.)

2. That game I had to miss due to a mandatory choreography session with my chorale made me feel horrible. I should also probably call my mother and apologize for being so mad at her for missing my Christmas concert during my senior year due to some work issues. I know that either FireDad or I will have to miss games or shows or debates or what-have-you here and there. But it sure did make me feel rather crappy.

3. Next year, LittleBrother won’t likely be so content to stand on the sidelines and watch. He also won’t be old enough to play. I have a slight amount of dread about chasing him around while trying to pay attention to what BigBrother is doing on the court. Yikes.

In the end, the negatives were more about me and less about BigBrother. He never heard the nasty parent. He didn’t care that I missed his game. And he really doesn’t nee dto worry about the parenting issues I may or may not have with having children two years apart. In the end, he got over his initial fear. He had a good time. And if you don’t believe me, listen to this video. (Ignore LittleBrother’s name.)

I’d say that he had a great experience. Even if he does talk with his hands like… me.

We have a month off before t-ball begins. I’m hoping that the program is handled similarly and that whatever coaches he ends up with are as wonderful with young children as his first coaches were. Hopefully he learns how to smile for his sports pictures before then…

Scared or Unsure?

I mean, sure, FireDad is not smiling in any of his sports pictures. But still. Of course, to me, this is the best basketball picture ever. (To boot, we were only charged $10 and given a CD with pictures so we could print at will. YMCA wins again.) What a great first experience all around!

Our First Experience with Sports

Parenting 8 Responses »

Feb 152009

We are members of our local YMCA. In the early fall, we received information about the fall and winter offerings for adults and kids alike. When I saw the info about kids, I initially skipped it thinking that it wouldn’t apply to our family. When I went back, I saw that BigBrother, who turned three in November, would be old enough for a few things come this new year. After some discussion with FireDad, we went ahead and registered him for the Youth Basketball program.

BigBrother fell into the “Itty Bitty” age group of three to five years old. As he had never experienced anything like this (structured game type setting), we began talking about it pretty early on. For Christmas, my parents got him a Little Tikes basketball hoop that we put up in the playroom (and that will move outside once this winter ick passes). The week leading up to his first practice, we talked it up and really drove home how fun it is to play a baksetball game with other kids.

The problem wasn’t with his excitement level. The problem was with the two weeks of practice (two 45 minute sessions on a Saturday). All 50 kids in his age group were in the gym at the same time. At the beginning, they all sat in a circle and stood to stretch. That was met with tears the first week. When they split them in half (which was still 25 kids!) for passing and shooting instruction, he was still overwhelmed that first week. In fact, the second week, while better, was still overwhelming for him.

We were beginning to doubt that he was ready for something of this structure. He loved his new basketball shoes and his water bottle. And he always ended the day with a smile on his face. But he just seemed overwhelmed. Still, we thought that maybe the difference of having only a team’s worth of kids at one time would make the difference and, so, on Saturday, we left the house for his first game. He seemed unsure but came along without tears.

He stood around for a bit, looking at the other kids. I helped him remember how to dribble. He passed with another child for awhile. A five year old girl came up to me and said, “Does he know how to play basketball” with a mouthful of attitude. I said, “Well, he’s only three,” with a smile on my face. She then informed us that she was the biggest and the “bestest” on the team. I just smiled and went back to helping BigBrother with his dribbling. Suddenly I felt overwhelmed!

Then the whistle blew.

They originally were going to put him on the court first but decided he could sit and watch for a few rotations first. (There were eight kids so three got to sit at any given time.) When it was finally his time, he shocked everyone and got right into it. The two times that he actually had the ball, he wasn’t really sure what to do but he was encouraged by his coaches to pass or shoot. They gave him time instead of stripping it away and giving it to one of the more learned kids. In fact, for the whole game, the coaches were very encouraging to all of the children (even their own). The coach on the bench was always sure to tell the kids that they did a great job. And afterward, the kids slapped high fives.

And BigBrother afterward? Was so excited that he could barely contain himself. He asked me today if he could play another basketball game. He can’t wait until his next game (which I don’t have the heart to tell him won’t be this coming weekend because of a gymnastics meet in the gym). FireDad and I are very relieved. If the game had ended in total failure and/or tears, we likely wouldn’t have continued on with the season. But seeing how happy he was and knowing that he got some great exercise and learning done in the process, we are pleased with how this has gone.

While I’m sure non-YMCA programs are just as good, I have a feeling that this one is just right for BigBrother. It’s more about learning about teamwork and fun than the act of winning. One little boy, who mouthed off to the five-year-old-girl earlier, mentioned something about being a loser and was told that no one who tries is a loser. And that’s a good lesson to learn. We’ve also learned as parents to go at an experience like this with an attitude of fun, acknowledge their fears and to allow them some space to watch and make their own decision.

I mean, come on. Look at this face (taken immediately after the game).

Yes, I think that we made the right decision.