PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Leave It All On The Court
We had a tight game last night. We led by just two points when we went into the locker room at halftime. We made adjustments to our offense, changed our defense and reminded the girls to “leave it all on the court.” The girls came out of the locker room on fire.
We kept the momentum for quite some time and when that momentum began to shift, we called a timeout and made more adjustments. It didn’t work. Our opponents kept pushing, as I knew they would, and though our team struggled to find a rhythm in the fourth quarter, we never gave up. We battled to the end and came out on top.
I often remind the girls to leave it all on the court. No regrets. Meaning if they’ve given everything they have; played their hardest, supported their teammates, stayed positive and strong in whatever role they played in that game, then win or lose, they can hold their heads high.
When you’re playing ball, or living life, remember to leave it all on the court!
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Old School
I love the feel of a pen in my hand and the roll of ink across paper. Of course I usually write on my computer, but there’s just something about going “old school” and using a system that has served us since its invention during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) in China, oh so many years ago.
Grab a journal or some paper, find a cozy spot, and get to work.
WRITING PROMPT #1: Where is your favorite place to write. Do you have a favorite journal?
WRITING PROMPT #2: Ingrid couldn’t believe she was really in China, she had dreamed of this moment since…
PeaceLoveBasketball: Turn Up The Intensity With Fun
Often half way through the season it’s normal to see players that look a little down, maybe bored, and less intense. This drives me crazy, so each year I have to remind myself, and the players, that basketball is fun.
We are nearing the end of our regular season play and the girls have finals next week, so it’s been difficult to keep the intensity up in practice. At Tuesday’s practice, I wanted to put them on the line and run them for two hours, but I restrained, and then yesterday instead of running lines, I got music going in the gym and split the girls into two teams for basketball/conditioning relays, and then we finished with a short scrimmage and shooting. The girls got a nice workout, I felt satisfied that they got some good work in, and I saw lots of smiles.
It was totally worth it.
Expect intensity in practice, but look to turn up the intensity in different ways. Remember, basketball is fun!
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Life
Do you ever look in the mirror, or see a picture of yourself, and wonder what the hell happened? I’ve done this a lot lately. I mean, I look fine, I just look…old. Older than I used to look. And that’s okay, kind of, it’s just hard to wrap my mind around sometimes. The wrinkles, the thin skin, the grey, the aches and pains (well these I don’t see in the mirror, I just feel them). But what’s funny, is that in so many ways, I still feel like I’m in my 30’s, yet I’m closing in on 50.
50 years old!
My age has never really bothered me. In fact when I tell some one my age I alway say I’m almost 49. I have always gone to the next highest number and then said “almost.” Now I’m thinking I should change that habit.
As I have gotten older, life has become a balance between fighting aging (by eating healthy and exercising) and learning to grow old gracefully. Convincing myself that this is just life. But you know what? It’s not easy. And I’m not the only one that feels this way.
I spent the weekend with my grandma (she’s 96 years old), and when we were sitting at dinner in her new senior living center, she said, “I’m sitting here with a bunch of old people.” And I could sense that she couldn’t believe that she was one of them. My friends have also started to complain of old age sneaking up on them. The years of invincibility are gone and though it’s good in so many ways, it’s also a challenge to comprehend at times.
I have started by never looking in a mirror. (Okay, that’s a joke, but actually not a bad idea.) No really, I just do my best to appreciate the […]
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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Monday’s Pen to Paper: Sometimes What You Need Is “Write” Next Door
We have an old Carnegie Library in our neighborhood. It’s beautiful. When my kids were young, we visited it all the time. We spent hours there gathering books and listening to story time. I remember thinking what a perfect place to just come and read or write or relax. Surrounded by books and history and quiet.
My kids grew older and our visits to the library less. The kids started checking out books at school and I took a position as head coach at the local high school, so I didn’t have many spare moments to go to the library. When I stepped down as head coach this season I made a commitment to finish my book, but my free time began to get swallowed up, so I made a promise to myself that I’d go to the “Office” every […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Tired Team? Time For Some TLC
This part of the season can get long, for both players and coaches. I’m not coaching this year, but my daughter reminded me of the fact yesterday (I’m visiting her at college where she is playing basketball). She said that she and her teammates are all really tired right now and having a hard time getting motivated. Suddenly I was transported back my years as a coach, and I remembered the look on the players faces, uninspired, distracted, anxious (finals were usually taking place at this time) and bored. They were burnt out and tired. Tired, not because they were out of shape (like my husband insisted) but mentally fried. It happened every year.
This was always the moment that I felt the urge to run them until they wanted to cry. Go all “old school” on […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Opportunity
Recently, when I was frustrated with the way I was playing, I reminded myself of how lucky I am just to be on the basketball court, working out and hanging out with my teammates. So I dug a little deeper and kept at it and when the game was over (though we lost by two points) I was thankful that I had been there. Thankful that I can still play this game that I love.
When you’re frustrated with your game. Keep working and remind yourself of why you play.
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