PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Open
We had our first summer practice for high school this week. (The kids are still in school, it’s just officially called “summer” practice.)
Last week I watched some coaching video’s. And like times in the past when I’ve read a book on coaching, or watched a coaching video, or attend a coaches clinic or simply have had a conversation with another coach, there is alway something new to learn or an idea to investigate.
This time I was reminded of some defensive concepts to emphasize, given new press breaker ideas to consider and I picked up a couple of new shooting drills by the University of Connecticut Huskies women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma. (Thanks Coach) 😉
In coaching and in life, remain open to new ideas…
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Go With Your Gut
I like the expression Go With Your Gut. It’s a way of saying, “believe in yourself.” And it rings true in many areas of life.
I used the expression recently with my daughter. We are taking a writing class together where we receive a lot of critiquing. Critique groups are great and can help expand and strengthen writing, but I warned my daughter (and reminded myself), that when she was receiving input on her writing, to be open for suggestions, take in all the ideas and opinions, but in the end remember you’ve got to go with your gut, it’s your writing.
Let your writing be in enhanced by the critiques, but don’t allow the input to drag you down. Because it can. I’ve been in a group session that left me frustrated and upset and wondering why I bothered to write at all. This is not what classes and writing groups are about. A good group, like the one I am in now, influences choices and inspires, but in the end you are the one doing the writing and you must believe in yourself and the message of your story.
Go with your gut.
WRITING PROMPT: Write about a time that you went with your gut. What happened?How did it feel?
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Sometimes Rules Are Made To Be Broken
I have a rule to not play basketball in anything but basketball shoes. It started over 30 years ago when I sprained my ankle messing around on the court in running shoes. I broke my rule yesterday.
I couldn’t help myself.
It was my son’s fault. He walked past me, headed to the basketball court outside to shoot around, and I asked if he wanted a rebounder, and he said sure. Was that a “yes, I want my mom to rebound for me” from my 14-year-old son? I set my homework on the sofa and sprinted out the door. I was in my jeans, t-shirt, and my Adidas street shoes (not basketball shoes) and my hair was down. (not the norm for me). I started out rebounding and passing.
“Nice job.” Rebound. Pass. “Good follow through.” Rebound. Pass. Silence. Rebound. Pass. I try not to over coach my kids. I don’t know if that’s good or bad but that’s the way I do it. It went this way for a while, and I’m not sure when it changed, if it was when my husband walked by and encouraged a little one on one, but next thing you know we were full-out one on one. Well, as full-out as an old woman in jeans with hair in her eyes and a teenage kid in his slides can go, but it was fun and it got a little physical and worth the effort. I hit some nice shots and so did he and he learned to follow his damn shot because a 47-year-old should not be able to out rebound a teenager. Well hopefully he learned it, because he heard about it, about 20 times. (I couldn’t let that tidbit of coaching pass unattended.)
So, I broke my […]
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Remember
Sometimes it’s hard to think of my brother as an Army Airborne Ranger, I only saw him in uniform once. I was in college and he was stationed in Italy. It was during a time of peace. (I was glad.) Years later he left the Army due to injury and returned to the United States. For me it was like he’d never been gone, but not for him, because soon after his return, my brother began losing friends and soldiers in Operation Desert Storm.
Take a moment today to remember and honor the men and women that died serving our country, as well as those who continue to keep our country safe.
WRITING PROMPT: Write about someone you know that served or is serving in the Armed Forces.
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: Do You Hear Me?
I heard basketballs bouncing outside when I was writing this week. Kids were shooting baskets in our front yard. (Not my kids, but not an uncommon occurrence since we put a basketball hoop in our front yard two years ago). I heard my husband say, “You should be using your left hand on the left side,” before he walked in the house on his way home from work.
I gave him a kiss and then headed to the door. I couldn’t let it go. (No longer a high school coach, but always a coach.) I lined up all three boys on a seam in the concrete. “Ok, pretend you’ve got a string attached from your left knee up to your elbow.” I lifted my arm and brought up my knee. “Like a puppet.” I explained some more. I had them do it with me […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Basketball & Yoga?
Photo Credit: Jeff Zaruba
Before I play basketball these days it is important for me to warm up a bit, this usually includes some yoga poses. However over the past few months I have found myself running into the gym late and jumping onto the court cold. Funny thing is, I’ve been having more pains and aches and issues. So it’s time for me to find my inner downward dog again. I’ve started by doing more poses at home and then working my way back into my local yoga studio here and there and now I’ve signed up for a Mini Yoga Retreat in May.
The retreat will be led by my friend, and Life Coach, Jenny McGlothern and by certified yoga instructor BJ Weitl.
Fill Your Cup: Mini Yoga Retreat
12:00pm-3:30pm, Sunday May 31, 2015
Bikram Yoga West Seattle, 4747 […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Change Is Hard
I made a tough decision this week to step down as the Head Girl’s Basketball Coach at West Seattle High School. I have been in tears off and on since that day.
When I took over the program five years ago I wanted to bring change. The program had struggled over the years and there was no support. In fact, I had 4 uniforms and $4 to start that first season. I spent pre-season hunting down uniforms from graduates and putting together fundraisers to get the team equipped. My assistant coach and I, ended that first season with six players who brought in 3 wins in one of the toughest leagues in the state of Washington. The last five years have been challenging, but the girls and the coaches, have worked hard to help build the program, so that […]
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