Basketball Practice
This is week three of the kids' basketball practice. I signed them up to play with an organization called Upward Sports. If you haven't heard of the organization and know a youngster...check them out, spread the word.
Upward Sports is a national organization managed on the local level by churches. In my town, over a dozen local churches participate in the organization. We use at least 6 church gyms for practices during the week and one gym is used for all the weekend games. I found advertising for Upward at three or four churches that we were trying out.
Upward uses a different approach to youth sports. Yes, the kids learn technique, game rules, and improve their skills but they learn much more. A major focus is sportsmanship and teamwork.
Prior to the team assignments, the kids were required to attend an assessment. They didn't need to prove how good they were to join, they just needed to show their skills so the managers could create the teams. The goal was for each team to be equally matched.
Each practice is an opportunity to teach kids lessons on and off the court. This is a picture of Gabe's team on their break tonight. Halfway through practice the team gathers around their coach for a little team meeting. Today, the coach talked about each of the kids having different strengths on the court, and how that is what will make their team strong. Not everyone needs to be good at the same thing! In fact, if everyone is trying to be the same thing, that leaves places of weakness. He also talked about how to act when a team member or person on the opposing team falls or is discouraged.
After they had their little meeting, the kids went on to get some water and then they were back on the court learning passing strategies and other things I know nothing about.
They won't always be on a Christian team but the lessons they are learning now will hopefully stick with them throughout any sports they do play and in life.
Upward Sports is a national organization managed on the local level by churches. In my town, over a dozen local churches participate in the organization. We use at least 6 church gyms for practices during the week and one gym is used for all the weekend games. I found advertising for Upward at three or four churches that we were trying out.
Prior to the team assignments, the kids were required to attend an assessment. They didn't need to prove how good they were to join, they just needed to show their skills so the managers could create the teams. The goal was for each team to be equally matched.
Each practice is an opportunity to teach kids lessons on and off the court. This is a picture of Gabe's team on their break tonight. Halfway through practice the team gathers around their coach for a little team meeting. Today, the coach talked about each of the kids having different strengths on the court, and how that is what will make their team strong. Not everyone needs to be good at the same thing! In fact, if everyone is trying to be the same thing, that leaves places of weakness. He also talked about how to act when a team member or person on the opposing team falls or is discouraged.
After they had their little meeting, the kids went on to get some water and then they were back on the court learning passing strategies and other things I know nothing about.
They won't always be on a Christian team but the lessons they are learning now will hopefully stick with them throughout any sports they do play and in life.
Comments