PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Free Court Diagrams
As a coach I often need blank court diagrams to use when I’m drawing up plays. If you’re a coach looking for just that, there are half and full court sheets available on my website under FREE PLB, or follow the link below.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Summer Write Time
Yeah, it’s summer!
Well at least the kids are out of school and it’s that time of year that we get to hang out together (officially summer starts June 21). As the kids have gotten older and more self-sufficient, summer has changed; the need for camps to keep the kids happy, and me happy, has diminished. In fact I am look forward to taking advantage of our down time together, relaxing and reading, and of course, writing.
Writing Prompt #1: This summer I will…
Writing Prompt #2: Selma stood still for a moment, allowing the heat of the sand to penetrate her bare feet before she…
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Team Building
My daughter played on an AAU basketball team this spring. It was a great experience for her in so many ways. She got a lot of court time, of course, and met some really nice girls, but she was also extremely frustrated with the attitude of a couple of her new teammates. Recently at our first high school summer practice, when she was reunited with her old teammates, she ran to each and every one of them as they came into the gym and gave them a big hug.
“I love you guys,” she told them as we met in the center circle.
She didn’t always feel this way. My daughter is intense on the court and can easily get annoyed if her teammates aren’t working as hard as she feels they should. I recognize this trait. It was me. I have learned to let go a bit, to respect different personalities. She is learning.
Last basketball season we spent a lot of time doing team-building activities, allowing the girls different opportunities to get to know one another better, understand one another and in the end trust one another. You can see it in the way they play defense together (most of the time), talking and moving as one. It’s a beautiful thing.
Team dynamics ebb and flow throughout the season, so simple team-building activities help break up practice time and more important help cultivate, build and strengthen compatibility and friendships. Our girls make posters that embody their hopes and dreams for the season (that we display in the locker room), guide one another (blind folded) through obstacles and run good old-fashioned relays.
One simple activity that we use is “Two Truths and a Lie.” In small groups, or with partners, the girls take turns giving three facts about themselves. Two are true. One is […]
Sonya Elliott’s author interview with Kaci Aitchison – Q13
Author interview on Q13 with Kaci Aitchison
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: Badge of Honor
Every day this week, at the end of camp, my high school player/coaches chose a Ms. Hustle for the age group they were working with. In our final meeting each day the player/coach would stand in front of the campers to give the award, but before they awarded the camper with their badge of honor (and a Fruit Punch Gatorade), they would explain why the camper deserved the award.
All of the coaches included much more than simply “hustle” in their speech.
“This camper was an awesome listener...this camper worked extra hard in drills…this camper was alway nice and helped her teammates.”
The young player/coaches saw what I see every day. Hustle is very important, but hustle with a positive attitude…
That’s something to honor.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Good Pride
I’m coaching a girl’s basketball camp this week. They are 3rd though 8th graders. One of the things that we do, along with a lot of basketball, is keep a journal during snack break. I give two or three questions for the girls to write about, and discuss if they like, with their group. Questions like, “What’s your favorite animal?” , “Where would you like to travel?”, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” or my favorite, “Write about something that you are proud of…”
I love to watch the girl’s minds spin.
Helping my little sister with homework. My grades. My piano recital. When I sat with my grandma.
What is something that you have done in your life that you are proud of?
WRITING PROMPT: Write about something that you are proud of.
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Finding Your Way
About once a month I speak at a massage school during their trauma unit. I was a trauma patient after I was hit by a train back in 1991, and receiving massage was a huge part of my healing. I was also a Liscenced Massage Practioner for 18 years (but life got in the way of me actually doing it for a living) so I understand both perspectives.
When I meet with the class we gather in a big circle and I share my experience with trauma and massage, and I invite the students to ask as many questions as possible. This week when I was talking I was reminded again of how important basketball was to my recovery. Having something I was passionate about to focus on, helped me to stay motivated when rehab was tough and believing that life was still worth living was tough. I would grab a ball, roll […]
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