Monday’s Pen to Paper: Try Something New
I had my first tennis lesson today. This is new for me, because although I volley with my husband for exercise on occasion during the summer, I’ve never officially played the game. And though I’ve managed to get by with athleticism and my junior high school PE class knowledge, I thought it would be nice to step up my game (and get a good workout in the process).
Originally I was thinking about signing up for road races, but I’ve been fighting false sciatica for almost a year and have a hard time running. So I landed on tennis as a good option. It would be competitive (which I like) and since I’ve got a lot to learn, I have room to grow, to get better. Do I remember how to score? Kind of. Love,15, 30, 40, Duce, add in/add out, game? Something like that. Do I know how to correctly hold the racket? Not exactly. Did I know what my instructor was talking about during the lesson? Some of the time. But when she asked me to go to the service line, I went to the baseline thinking that’s were you serve the ball. Right? Wrong. But even though I looked a little lost and more like a basketball player, not a tennis player, I held my own.
My racquet is another story. It was given to me by my boyfriend over twenty-five years ago. The instructor checked it out and then loaned me a different one, but the new racquet was so light I kept missing the ball. I went back to my weighted Pro Kennex and, with relief, was able to hit. Although now I’m typing with ice on my shoulder (maybe the lighter racquet would have been better).
The good news […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Bring on The Luck!
The team that I took to the State Tournament last year got a terrible draw for their Regional game this year. After going undefeated in league and placing in Districts they are one of the top teams in the state, and for their Regional (looser out) game, they drew last years State Champion, which is still ranked number one. This means that after this regional matchup, one of the best teams in the state will not be at the State Tournament.
This sucks.
Going to the State Tournament is a big thing. It is an experience of a lifetime. An opportunity for teams who have worked hard all season, (and during the off-season) to play competitive high level games and spend a final weekend together as a team. (Not to mention have a few bragging rights.)
Last season we drew this very same team going into the state tournament, which meant, if we didn’t get that first round win, there was a good chance we would place behind other teams who we’d beaten during the season. This is exactly what happened. We placed 6th in State, a great accomplishment of course, however two teams (who we’d beaten every time we’d played them during the season) placed above us. I was proud of the girls and thankful that they could compete at the State Tournament. Still, it had been a bad draw.
This, as we all know, is life. Life is not always fair.
Do I think there should be a better way to match teams up in the future? For sure. Does that help the situation today? No. That’s one great thing about playing sports, you learn life lessons. Both good and bad. You learn how to go on and do […]
Monday’s Pen to Paper: A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words
A picture is worth a thousand words, or at least one hundred. Take a look at the photo and let your imagination get to work. Write on!
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: “10 to Win” Rules of Defense
I love defense. When things aren’t going right on offense (maybe my shot is off or I’m having trouble handling the ball), the one thing that I can ALWAYS count on is my defense. It’s a little more difficult now that I’m not in great shape, but during my years on the court as a player I focused my energy on this part of the game, and as a coach I did the same. To help my players, I took what I have learned on the court, and from the coaches who I assisted (and those I read about and listened to at clinics) and put my favorites rules of defense together in a “10 to Win” list. If you play, or coach the game, these rules won’t be anything new to you, but it doesn’t hurt to have a reminder, and it’s always nice to have them all listed together in one place. When I was coaching, I had the list plastered around our locker room, as the Westside “10 to Win” Rules of Defense, to remind our players what we expected from them on the court every day in practice and in games.
- See ball – See man
Always keep your eyes on the basketball as well as your player (point one hand at the ball and one hand at your man or on your man).
- Jump to the ball on a pass
Unless you have been designated to face guard your player, you should jump in the direction of the ball when it is passed (still seeing your player and the ball at all times). This gets you in the right position for defending your man if he cuts, and it keeps you in good […]
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 Friday: Dancing at the Tournament
It’s tournament time! Both the boy’s and girl’s team at West Seattle, where I used to coach, are headed that way. I can’t wait to cheer them on. When I was coaching, playoffs, League, Districts and the State Tournament meant a different kind of fun, a hunker in and take a closer look at our team type of fun. What makes us successful? How do we build on that and make our base stronger? Of course, I studied our opponents but in the end I focused on our team, our fundamentals and our strengths. As my father-in-law (Hall of Fame Coach) used to say when it was time for State, “Dance with the girl who brung ya’.” (Read more)
Go West Seattle Wildcats!
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Back Off
Back off. This is an important lesson that I learned during a coaches clinic years ago.
As a season progresses and a team is nearing playoffs, it’s time to back off. Really? Yes, really, but not with the intensity during practice, with time on the court. Brains and bodies are tired. If players were prepared properly, pushed to their limits and worked hard all season, then cutting practice time down will not hurt them but in fact will help them. The season is long, and often near the end of the season high school players are also dealing with finals, they need time to study and to rest their bodies. If you’re a coach, reduce practice time as you near the playoffs, but make sure to keep the time on the court focused and intense, optimizing your time by working at game speed. And don’t forget […]
Book Signing at Alair Neighborhood Gift Shop – January 14, 2017
I’m excited to take part in Alair’s Grand Opening this Saturday, January 14th! Alair Neighborhood Gift Shop is new to West Seattle and has a variety of gifts from baby onesies to books. (I was lucky enough to find the store in time for my Christmas shopping). I will be at Alair signing book from 12:00 to 3:00pm and the event goes all day (12:00 – 7:00pm). There will be tons of raffles, samples and giveaways….and Nibbles Food Truck and drinks! I hope to see you this Saturday. Come celebrate this new local business with your West Seattle neighbors!
Alair Neighborhood Gift Shop – 3280 California Ave SW, Unit A, Seattle, WA 98116
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