PEACELOVEBASKETBALL: Is There Ever a Good Reason to Quit Sports?
This is an important question for young athletes. Sports often have a positive influence that lasts a person’s lifetime. As a coach and a former athlete, you might think I would never say to ever quit. But that is not the case. There are times when after careful consideration, it is time to move on.
Consider Pros And Cons
Before an athlete quits, they need to put in time thinking about why they want to quit. Things like bad practices and games, or not getting along with a coach or a teammate, are generally worth working through and are part of what makes being involved in sports so important.
Sports are also important because they keep a person active. Still, you can stay active doing other non-team activities like running, cycling, skating, hiking, yoga, and golf, to name a few.
If you are trying to decide whether or not you should stay on a team, there are several things that you can do to help you make your decision. First, you might want to talk to a trusted adult and get their input. Then consider the following: Do I have an injury or illness that requires that I stop? Am I having fun? What are my priorities?
Then using the information that you’ve gathered, make a list of the pros and cons to help you decide.
Injury or Illness?
If you have a serious illness or injury that keeps you from playing, you may find it too difficult to be a part of the team. Most coaches want an injured or sick athlete to continue being a part of the team if possible and encourage them to stay. And usually, […]
PEACELOVEBASKETBALL: Use a Habit Tracker to Become a Better Shooter
Set Goals And Track Your Shooting
The first time that I tracked my shooting was during summer camp when I was in middle school. The camp had a 5000 Shot Club, and I could become a member and get a T-shirt if I made 5000 shots over the rest of the summer. I was determined to make the Shot Club and get my free T-shirt, so I got to work. When the summer ended, I was a member of the 5000 Shot Club and I got my T-shirt (which unfortunately wasn’t that cool), but the great thing was, my shooting improved.
After that, I spent more time shooting and tracking, and it continued to pay off.
During my first season playing basketball in High School, I averaged 3 points per game. The next year I averaged 17 points per game and was one of the leading scores in the Greater Spokane League. What changed? I set a goal to become a better shooter, worked on my shot and tracked the whole process.
Start by setting shooting goals for the summer and beyond, and then put them in writing. It doesn’t hurt to add when you want to achieve the goals, why you want to achieve them, action steps to reach them, possible obstacles that may arrive when working toward them and how you will overcome these obstacles, but the most important thing to do is write your goals down and then begin taking steps to reach them.
When I was coaching I had a Summer Shooting Challenge to encourage players to work on their shooting over the summer. I made a simple form where players could write down goals (including a page with blank spaces for each day of the summer). A basic habit tracker.
Use […]
PEACELOVEBASKETBALL: How to Beat Any Zone Press
There are five key components to beating a zone press, no matter what press breaker you run. Players must pass the ball, come to the ball, avoid traps, use ball fakes and get the ball to the middle of the court. Using these key aspects of the game will help a team beat any zone press and get them in a position for an easy transition basket, or ready to set up their offense.
There are a lot of different zone presses out there. You might run into a full court 1-2-2, 2-2-1 or Diamond and 1. All of which can be run as a half court or three quarter court presses. And there are others as well, not to mention that each team runs their press a little different. Still, with a focus on basic fundamentals, like passing the ball, coming to the ball, avoiding traps, using ball fakes and moving the ball to the middle of the court, your team is one step closer to beating any zone press.
But what is even better than beating a press? Not having to deal with it at all.
Don’t Let Your Opponent Set Up The Press
The best way to beat a press is to not allow it to set up. I know it seems too simple. But depending on the opponent, it can work, especially if you have established a hustle mentality with your team.
Your team must get the ball inbounds right after your opponent makes a basket. To make this happen, it’s important to have one person in the game who is assigned to inbound the ball. There will be a few players on your team who take on this role, depending who is in the game. These players must know that it is their responsibility, and they should […]
Pen to Paper: Finding Your Rhythm
My favorite time to write is late at night.
This schedule doesn’t work in my daily life. But when my husband is out of town, I’ve been known to stay up until 2am writing. I will often spend the day cleaning, running errands, paying bills and doing paperwork. I usually get in a workout and if I’m lucky meet with friends or my mom. Then comes dinner and more picking up and then finally, late at night, I allow time for me, and I start writing. And then I keep writing, and writing. And it’s usually the understanding that I might ruin the next day that finally pulls me from my computer and into bed.
Long term, a 2am bedtime is not the best for my temperament (or my husband’s since he doesn’t sleep well either when I stay up late) So where does that leave me?
Finding a better schedule. Often, schedules are moving targets, with the hectic lives that many of us live. But there is a way to find your rhythm.
Give Yourself Grace
Finding time to write is challenging. This last year for me has been particularly busy and I tend to put everything and everyone ahead of my writing. Partially, because it’s not a paid gig at this moment, and it’s hard work. And perhaps also because other people don’t understand why I do it or if there is any value to it.
Sometimes I wonder why I keep doing it. And then stories swirl around in my head and ask to be told. And ideas for more are constant. Which honestly, creates a bit of a problem when it comes to finishing the writing that I have in the works. The young adult novel that needs editing and the coaching book that needs a few more chapters. But that’s […]
Meet Sonya
Meet Sonya
Sonya Elliott’s memoir, Back on the Court: A Young Woman’s Triumphant Return to Life, Love & Basketball, is her story of finding hope in the wake of tragedy after she and her fiancé were hit by a train. She blogs about writing, basketball, and life and is currently working on a Young Adult Novel and a Non-Fiction Coaching book. Stories of her career as a fashion model are woven through her memoir, as both the Soloflex and Easy Spirit Shoes commercials were filmed during that time period, and this unique and intriguing business continues to be a part of her life.
Sonya played basketball at Eastern Washington University and was a starter for the Big Sky Champion team that went to the 1987 NCAA tournament. She coached for almost 25 years and was voted Seattle Times Coach of the Year, Seattle Officials Women’s Basketball Association Coach of the Year, and twice voted Metro League Coach of the Year. She loves the game of basketball and is thankful, not only for her husband and kids but for her ability to continue to get back on the court.
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PEACELOVEBASKETBALL: Is There Ever a Good Reason to Quit Sports?
This is an important question for young athletes. Sports often have a positive influence that lasts a person’s lifetime. As a coach and a former athlete, you might think I would never say to ever quit. But that is not the case. There are times when after careful consideration, it is time to move on.
Consider Pros And Cons
Before an athlete quits, they need to put in time thinking about why they want to quit. Things like bad practices and games, or not getting along with a coach or a teammate, are generally worth working through and are part of what makes being involved in sports so important.
Sports are also important because they keep a person active. Still, you can stay active doing other non-team activities like running, cycling, skating, hiking, yoga, and golf, to name […]
PEACELOVEBASKETBALL: Use a Habit Tracker to Become a Better Shooter
Set Goals And Track Your Shooting
The first time that I tracked my shooting was during summer camp when I was in middle school. The camp had a 5000 Shot Club, and I could become a member and get a T-shirt if I made 5000 shots over the rest of the summer. I was determined to make the Shot Club and get my free T-shirt, so I got to work. When the summer ended, I was a member of the 5000 Shot Club and I got my T-shirt (which unfortunately wasn’t that cool), but the great thing was, my shooting improved.
After that, I spent more time shooting and tracking, and it continued to pay off.
During my first season playing basketball in High School, I averaged 3 points per game. The next year I averaged 17 points per game and was one of the leading scores in the Greater Spokane League. What […]
PEACELOVEBASKETBALL: How to Beat Any Zone Press
There are five key components to beating a zone press, no matter what press breaker you run. Players must pass the ball, come to the ball, avoid traps, use ball fakes and get the ball to the middle of the court. Using these key aspects of the game will help a team beat any zone press and get them in a position for an easy transition basket, or ready to set up their offense.
There are a lot of different zone presses out there. You might run into a full court 1-2-2, 2-2-1 or Diamond and 1. All of which can be run as a half court or three quarter court presses. And there are others as well, not to mention that each team runs their press a little different. Still, with a focus on basic fundamentals, like passing the ball, coming to the ball, avoiding traps, using ball fakes and […]
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