Monday’s Pen to Paper: What Are You Resisting?
Today I wrote with my friend Jenny and my daughter (our usual Thursday writing day was full this week). We warmed up our pens and our minds with the writing prompt, What am I resisting? What a great question. A question that is important to address. And the thing about answering this question, is that if you allow yourself the opportunity to open up, (even if it’s just to yourself, maybe on a piece of paper that you tear up and throw away when you’re done), if you probe the truths within your heart and soul, you will find that you know the answers. Not only to what you’re resisting, but why, and often even how best to find your way through the resistance and on to living your life to it’s fullest.
What are you resisting in your life?
WRITING PROMPT: What am I resisting? Why?
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Stop the Madness, It’s Just a Game
I was at my son’s Junior Varsity High School summer recreation game last night when some parent madness was unleashed. Now understand, I am aware of the crazy antics of some high school parents, I spent three of my five years as a varsity head coach with a few of the parent telling lies about me and trying to get me fired, these parents are out there, but this, let me remind you, was a JUNIOR VARSITY Summer Rec-Tournament game.
It had been a great game. A tough fought battle. Both teams had played aggressive, intense basketball. Both teams fired up 3-balls from way beyond the arc and the lead switched back and forth throughout the game. It was the type of game players, coaches and fans live for, and the type of game that make players and teams better, win or lose. Yes, you want to win, you want your kid’s team to win, but it is also a game. And losing with honor and grace is important, not only for the players, but for the parents as well.
I’m not sure why I even allowed myself to get involved, except for that fact that one mother held a young child in her arms as two crazed moms got in her face. About what exactly I did not know, but this was not right. Myself and several others stepped between the madness until a man three-times our size made his own wall. Still the mom’s bickered, throwing F-bombs in front of the crowd and young boys and continued as they exited the gym. One parent asked me what I was thinking stepping into the mix as I was half the size of the women. I explained I felt like I had to […]
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Take Heart
“Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.” – William James
WRITING PROMPT: Take time to write about what is important to you and what makes your life worth living? Now take this information to heart as you live each day.
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: New Beginnings
A new coach was named at the high school where I was head coach for five years. It’s a weird feeling to know that the girls who I have grown to care about and love, will be led by someone new. Yet, I also know that they will be fine, that learning to work with a new leader on the court will be good for them. It is a great lesson for life, because throughout their lifetime they will experience a lot of change, they will have to work with new bosses and a variety of co-workers, and figure out who they are, and how they fit in, along the way.
I have heard that the new coach is quite the opposite of me, and there is nothing wrong with that. All coaches have different styles. Pat Summit, C. Vivian Stringer, Mike Krzyzewski, John Wooden, all have had excellent results through different teaching methods. But what is important is that a coach has the best interest of the team in mind, because not only is a coach helping to develop young men and women, but in the case of high school basketball where there is no recruiting, a coach is working with the team they are given, so they are helping them to become better, stronger athletes, teaching them to work together on the court and creating a season that, win or lose, the players can be proud of.
I wish all the best to my girls and their new coach and I can’t wait to cheer them on to another successful season. Go Wildcats!
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: Check Your Tone
“Are you just going to stand there?” The question, not directed to me, came with a harsh tone and a stare at player on the opposing team yesterday morning when I was playing pick up ball. The coach (and mom) in me cringed as I back-peddled on defense. Then the question was followed by several more choice words of advice. I’ve heard it all before, negative coaching and yelling from parents, players and fans over the years and I don’t like it. I watched the young player who had received the question, hunch over a bit. His eyes lowered. I know the yeller meant well, he wants the player to get better, learn to hustle, to be a better teammate, and I’m sure he didn’t see a thing wrong with his question. But is this the best way?
I don’t think so. Unfortunately, […]
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Food for Thought…
WRITING PROMPT: Take a look at the photo above and then write for 10 minutes! Go.
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: How to Get Your Shot Back
When I worry about making my shot during a game, when I start thinking too much, it affects my shot in a bad way. So I have learned a trick that works for me on the basketball court come game time, and that is to simply forget about my shot. If my shot is off at the start of a game, the first thing I do is focus on other parts of my game; defense, rebounding, passing and of course making sure I hustle.
It may seem odd for a coach to say forget about the one thing that you are trying to do better, but it’s worked for me as a player and when I was coaching it was one of my first recommendations for a struggling shooter. I would tell them to forget about their shot and just get out there […]
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