PEACELOVEBASKETBALL: Have Fun And Improve Your Ball Handling
Find a partner and work on your ball-handling skills together. With a partner, you will improve through accountability, sharing skill work and it’s a lot of fun! Learn more about partnering up and improving you skills [HERE].
PEN TO PAPER: Vacation Time
Let’s talk vacations!
With things opening up a bit more, many of us are adventuring out on vacation. I just got back from my favorite spot in Montana. My grandparent’s lake cabin. I’ve been going there all of my life. It’s where I learned to paint and play cards, swim and waterski, make fancy pancakes and bake apple pie. And after walking to get our drinking water out of the spring (for several years), enjoying close views of bald eagles and hikes to the Turtle Pond, I also learned to appreciate nature.
Most of all I learned the true meaning of family.
Over the years I have returned to Montana, and with TV and cell phones put on the back burner, my kids have had some of the same experiences that I did, and have created many new ones of their own. Experiences that I know they will never forget.
What are some of your favorite vacation experiences?
WRITING PROMPT #1: Write about your favorite childhood vacation.
WRITING PROMPT #2: If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?
WRITING PROMPT #3: Even after Azelle bought the plane ticket, she still couldn’t believe that she was…
PEN TO PAPER: Rising Phoenix
As I was searching for a writing prompt photo I saw this picture and it reminded me of a young woman in the movie Rising Phoenix. She fences with no arms and no legs, and is just one of many amazing athletes who share their stories in this powerful movie. The movie covers how Paralympics first began, the road that it has traveled and how it has changed the way the world thinks about disability and the human spirit. Check out this powerful documentary the next time you are looking for a movie.
WRITING PROMPT #1: Look at the photo above and write.
WRITING PROMPT #2: Watch Rising Phoenix and write about it.
WRITING PROMPT #3: Veronica thought she would never…
PEN TO PAPER: Backwards History
Years ago, for a class writing exercise, we wrote our life story backward. There were no rules and it didn’t have to be perfect. Let’s give it a try. You can add a lot to each section or do the exercise several times for different parts of you life. (jobs, relationships, hobbies, etc). However you do it, it’s always interesting.
Example 1:
I am a divorced mother of three and a restaurant owner who loves to play tennis
Before that I was married, I waited tables and watched tennis on tv.
Before that I was single, I was in culinary school and I played tennis almost every day.
Before that….
Example 2:
I am a husband and I import toys from Europe.
Before that I was single and I traveled the world with my best friend.
Before that I barely graduated from high school.
Before that…
You get the idea. Give it a try
WRITING PROMPT #1: Write your life’s history backwards. I am____________. Before that….
WRITING PROMPT #2: Simply write a story from your past
WRITING PROMPT #3: Daniel looked at the old photo album and…
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.
Blog
PEACELOVEBASKETBALL: Inspiring Basketball Coaching Memoirs
There’s nothing better than a good book to bring you closer to the game and learn about life. As a writer and coach I appreciate what it takes to weave a person’s history into an inspiring story. So I’ve put together a list of must-read memoirs by basketball coaches. The memoirs are filled with heartwarming and thought provoking stories that will also help you be a better coach.
If you don’t have time to sit down and read, then give an audiobook a try. Most of these are available through your library and online book sources. Download them and listen while you walk your dog, clean out your garage or sweep the basketball court before practice and learn a few more things about life and the game.
Written by: Coach Pat Summit with […]
PEN TO PAPER: Just Imagination
We carved pumpkin’s last week and my son and his friend’s rummaged through six boxes of costumes to find the perfect outfits for Halloween night. The boxes are a mish-mash of years of collecting and making costumes out of our best finds from our closets and Goodwill. A witch, skeleton, Mummy, 70’s funk, 80’s punk, UPS driver and Elvis, to name a few.
Costumes simply take a little imagination… just like writing.
Did you dress up? Eat too much candy? Carve pumpkins this Halloween?
Write about it.
PEACELOVEBASKETBALL: So You Want A New Coach?
Sometime you can’t choose your coach, so what happens if you find yourself with a coach you don’t like?
What Do You Do If You Don’t Like Your Coach?
Dealing with a coach that you don’t see eye-to-eye with can be a real challenge. When I was a young player, I didn’t like all of my coaches, so I can understand. And I’m sure that not every one of my players liked me as thier coach.
But if you love to play your sport, as long as you are in a safe environment, there are ways to make it through your season, learn more about the game and have fun while doing it.
What To Do If You Don’t Feel Safe
There is a difference between a coach that isn’t great and a coach that puts you at risk, physically or emotionally. If a coach touches you inappropriately (hit, kick, sexual advance), degrades you, […]
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